Forum Birmingham to celebrate 60 years in style
Forum Birmingham has unveiled a special programme of events as it marks its 60th anniversary.
The 3,500-cap UK venue has had various guises since the 1960s such as The Ballroom, the Top Rank Suite, Hummingbird and Carling/O2 Academy, hosting legendary acts like The Clash, The Beastie Boys, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Nirvana, Amy Winehouse and Ed Sheeran.
Having lain dormant for over a decade, it was extensively renovated ahead of its 2021 rebirth as the Forum under owner Global Venues, including the addition of a 350-cap standalone club Space 54.
Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) CEO Michael Kill says the success of the venue is reason for celebration, particularly during such a tough time.
“To celebrate its 60-year anniversary with this series of events is very special”
“We’re witnessing the systematic dismantling of the UK night-time economy so the success of Forum Birmingham should be celebrated as they approach their 60-year milestone,” says Kill, who is also VP of the International Nightlife Association (INA).
“Our industry is not just about entertainment; it’s about identity, community, and the economy so we must support the intrepid operators who keep these amazing venues open for future generations.”
More than 20 parties will take place across 16 weeks from January 2025, with nights hosted by The Hacienda, HE.SHE.THEY, DNB Allstars, LWE, Live Nation and Sonny Fodera, among others.
“I’m extremely passionate about preserving Birmingham’s rich musical heritage and our work culminates with Forum Birmingham,” says Billy Chauhan of Global Venues. “It was my old stomping ground and helped shape my musical journey so to celebrate its 60-year anniversary with this series of events is very special.”
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Iconic UK venue set to reopen under new guise
An iconic Birmingham venue that has previously welcomed artists ranging from Bob Marley to Ed Sheeran is set to open its doors for the first time in a decade.
The 3,500-capacity Forum Birmingham – formerly known as The Ballroom, the Hummingbird and Carling Academy Birmingham – has been renovated and modernised by Global Venues in time for the UK’s rollback of restrictions in late summer.
From its early days as The Ballroom, the venue evolved into the Top Rank Suite in the 1960s and ’70s and hosted iconic acts like Bob Marley & The Wailers and The Clash.
In the 1980s the venue became the Hummingbird and welcomed artists including Nirvana, Sonic Youth and The Beastie Boys before its doors closed in 1994.
The venue later had a spell in the 2000s as Carling Academy Birmingham and boasted concerts from the likes of Amy Winehouse and Ed Sheeran.
In the 1980s the venue became the Hummingbird and welcomed Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Beastie Boys
Now, under its new guise, Forum Birmingham has already booked shows promoted by AEG Presents, Goldenvoice, Kilimanjaro Live and Cream plus local promoters Leftfoot, Shadow City and Foliée.
Full line-ups will be revealed at the end of April along with a complete list of promotions.
“Prior to the pandemic, a quarter of a million people in the West Midlands worked in the culture, media and night time industries and the relaunch of this historic venue in Birmingham will help to refuel this damaged part of our local economy,” says Billy Chauhan of Global Venues. “We’re also extremely passionate about preserving Birmingham’s musical heritage and our work culminates with Forum Birmingham.”
Forum Birmingham has also announced an exclusive ticket partnership with renowned electronic music events platform and publication Resident Advisor (RA).
RA will provide Forum with its own branded white label platform through which tickets will be sold, as well as offering tickets through its main website.
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