There’s a lot more than just music at Symphony Hall and Birmingham Town Hall.
B:Music, the Birmingham music charity responsible for Symphony Hall and Town Hall, has launched its new winter programme for 2023/24 which includes comedy, live music, dance and spoken word on its two world-famous stages.
The new season showcases an array of performances at Town Hall and Symphony Hall. From Tyneside folk-rock pioneers Lindisfarne to John Wilson and his Sinfonia of London performing Hollywood’s Greatest Hits, November sees a varied and exciting programme. There is plenty more live music to choose from, with everything from the award-winning British Police Symphony Orchestra to Roachford, still going strong with 35 years of classics under their belts, gracing the Symphony Hall and Town Hall stages in December. And January sees the return of the Classic Rock Show, as well as Wet, Wet, Wet & Go West performing their seminal songs from a combined treasure trove of hits.
Dazzled by dance? Strictly Come Dancing’s most celebrated couple, Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec, take to the Symphony Hall stage with their show Dancing in a Winter Wonderland with Aljaz and Janette (10th December). The Strictly legends will once again be joined by a supporting cast featuring some of the UK’s very best dancers and singers as they countdown to Christmas Day in this breathtaking spectacular.
Crazy for comedy? B:Music is providing the laughs this winter with a plethora of comedy A-listers to choose from. Stand-up stars including Kevin Bloody Wilson (6th November), Lucy Beaumont: The Trouble and Strife (9th November), Eddie Izzard: The Remix (15th-17th November), Adam Rowe: What’s Wrong with Me? (17th November), Russell Howard (18th-19th November) and Babatunde Aléshé (26th January) will be taking to the Town Hall and Symphony Hall stages for the ultimate feelgood night out. And for one night only it’s five comedians for the price of one at Town Hall, as Live at Christmas (13th December) returns for a spectacular all-star festive show. Headlining is David O’Doherty, star of 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and his own Channel 4 show Along for the Ride. Joining David in an astounding bill is Taskmaster star Fern Brady, viral sensation Josh Pugh, fast-rising newcomer Kyrah Gray and the phenomenal Jen Brister as host.
Love live music? Join Cory Band on a spectacular journey of immersive music and dazzling multimedia entertainment in a first of its kind A Cory Trilogy – Episode I: The Curtain Rises (3rd December). In their reimagining of Charles Dickens’s timeless A Christmas Carol, Edwyn Scrooch is a mean-spirited conductor preparing his band for its ‘A Night at the Movies’ concert. He is haunted by a mysterious ghost who shows him three classic Hollywood movies to encourage him to mend his ways. Three movies – three separate annual Cory concerts – one epic trilogy!
B:Music is working with The Amy Winehouse Band (21st December) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her debut album Frank to critical acclaim. Amy’s original band present an exclusive performance of the album played in full, track-by-track, performed by the musicians who stood alongside her on stages all around the world. In this unique show, the band led by her long-term Musical Director and bass player Dale Davis, and fronted by the incredible young vocalist Bronte Shandé, celebrate Amy’s era-defining music and live performances.
Join the London Concert Orchestra with conductor Anthony Inglis for the annual New Year’s Eve Gala (31st December), a Symphony Hall tradition of great classics and fun to celebrate the New Year. Continuing the festivities, see in the new year with legendary DJ Gary Davies as he brings the UK’s most popular 80s radio show, BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 80s: The Live Tour (31st December) to Symphony Hall for a special New Year’s Eve celebration. Alongside his producer Johnny Kalifornia, they will take the audience back to the best decade in music. Party along to specially curated mastermixes and watch as the brilliant Sounds of the 80s dancers recreate classic scenes from 80s films and music videos, with special guest singer Carole Decker (T’Pau) and more to be announced soon.
Looking for family fun? Bring the whole family to Town Hall in November to experience The Gruffalo, The Tiger, and the Mermaid (10th-11th November). Following their sell-out 2018 show, the UK’s best-selling author Julia Donaldson and a cast of four return with a brand-new show based on her much-loved books including The Smartest Giant in Town, The Singing Mermaid, The Highway Rat, and The Gruffalo. Every performance will be followed by a book signing with Julia Donaldson. Join Toscana Strings for The Snowman and The Nutcracker (17th December) and encounter these two family-favourites brought to life through music, dance, and a little help from the audience, in a performance which is perfect for all the family. Or come to Town Hall to meet Timothy Pope, his dad, and his trusty Telescope as they embark on a thrilling quest to find the elusive Shark. Inspired by the beloved books by Nick Sharratt, a fresh, festive twist on the acclaimed touring production of Shark in the Park, the enchanting winter tale of Oh No! Shark In the Snow! (27th December to 7th January) is the exciting new addition to this fin-tastic series.
Looking to learn? B:Music is bringing some world-class speakers with plenty of stories to its stages. Fresh off the field after taking his final wicket, join one of England’s greatest cricketers Stuart Broad (7th November) as he divulges the highs and lows of a sensational 17-year long career, to celebrate the release of his new sporting memoir Stuart Broad: The Autobiography. And Sunday Times bestseller Garth Marenghi is back on the road with his latest masterpiece Incarcerat (3rd November) following the massive success of his long-lost novel Terrortome.
Other highlights of the winter 2023/24 season include musician, singer and songwriter Paul Young with his Behind the Lens tour (10th November), The Brand New Heavies: Live with the London Concert Orchestra at Symphony Hall (11th November), and the unique soulful vocals and infectious energy of Sister Sledge who performs at Town Hall as part of their Thinking of You tour (13th November).
To see the full programme and to book tickets, visit bmusic.co.uk.