Venue leads the way for diverse cultural programming in “challenging market”.
Leading UK arts, music and food venue Hockley Social Club has unveiled a diverse and affordable live programme for Autumn 2024 following a successful first half of the year which saw 70,000 people pass through their doors.
Doubling down on a commitment to offering accessible and diverse cultural experiences, the award-winning Birmingham dining and live space has announced performances spanning ballet, comedy, and live podcasts, alongside classical, hip-hop, electronic, reggae, and soul shows and DJ sets.
Highlights of the forthcoming season include the return of globally acclaimed city arts organisations Birmingham Royal Ballet and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, DJ sets from Dave Lee, Jaguar Skills, and Slimzee, as well as the first ever live Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast show outside London and a Birmingham date for Australian history comedy podcasters Do Go On.
Comedian Jo Enright brings her So tour to the Jewellery Quarter venue, whilst the monthly in-house CLOSEUP COMEDY shows continue to build on the city’s growing comedy scene, presenting talent including viral stand-up Fin Taylor.
Between January and June 2024, around 15 street food traders at Hockley Social Club served up over 23,000 meals to diners, whilst bar staff have pulled around 160,000 pints for guests – 33,000 of which were beer produced by local breweries.
The 10,000-square foot venue supports around 100 local jobs, works with 15 Midlands suppliers including cleaning, electricians, IT, and security companies, and operates with 14 Midlands bands and 40 DJs on rotation.
The cultural destination works to create opportunities for emerging and established musical talents from across the Midlands, with acts and collectives including Metz Jnr Band, Shanty Town, and Young Culture joining regular acclaimed DJs including Andy ‘Mr M’ Milford (Plastic Dreams), Dean ‘Sunshine’ Smith, Jim ‘Shaft’ Ryan (Miss Moneypenny’s, Love Unlimited), Lee Fisher and Steffan Taylor.
Jack Brabant, director of Hockley Social Club, said, “Amidst what is clearly still a challenging market for NTE businesses in the UK, we’re pleased to be building on our pledge to offering affordable and diverse cultural experiences for all, alongside our brilliant food traders, for the second half of this year.
“The Hockley Social Club team are dedicated to delivering the very best in cultural programming, dining, and hospitality; we pride ourselves on offering a safe and top class night out for fans of superb food and cutting-edge art and music.
“The UK’s appetite for high-quality nights out that offer great value for money is borne out by the number of culture, food and music fans we’ve welcomed so far this year, and our latest announcement reinforces our commitment to creating brilliant events with world-class arts organisations and cutting-edge DJs for less, serving our great city and region this Autumn.”
Hockley Social Club, is building on its major new arts and music offering, intended to ’open up’ cultural experiences for UK audiences, alongside an acclaimed food and drink offering at the centre of a newly revamped space.
The popular Birmingham nighttime destination, on the site of a former industrial printworks in the historic manufacturing district of Hockley, is currently in its fourth year of business.
In addition to hosting debuts, live shows and exclusive sets from some of the UK’s hottest new electronic music producers, DJs, promoters, and collectives, Hockley Social Club also offers award-winning food from some of the UK’s best street food traders.
Information and tickets for the Hockley Social Club Autumn programme is here.
