With Black Sabbath’s final shows Birmingham once again celebrated one of its most powerful cultural legacies: heavy metal. Capsule’s work ensures that Birmingham isn’t just the birthplace of metal — it’s also where its future is being shaped.

“Home of Metal was created to honour Black Sabbath and the movement they sparked,” says Lisa Meyer, Artistic Director at Capsule. “It’s also about celebrating their lasting influence — echoed in new voices, fresh sounds, and a community that’s more diverse and expansive than ever before.”

BBC Radio 6 Music Presenter Stuart Maconie, a long-time supporter of the festival, describes Supersonic as: “Daring, challenging, wild, often very loud and always great fun, Supersonic is a highlight of the musical year, bringing global sonic adventurers to the heart of a city that has always celebrated innovation and experimentation.”

As a long-term media partner, BBC Radio 6 Music will be on-site at Supersonic Festival, attending and recording throughout the weekend.
Supersonic’s unique programme brings together pioneering artists from across the globe. This year’s line-up features UK exclusive performances from Zambian-Canadian rapper Backxwash, Sweden’s Funeral Folk (Maria W Horn & Sara Parkman), and Norway’s Witch Club Satan, alongside artists from Nigeria, Ireland, North America, and beyond. The festival also proudly champions local talent, with rising Black Country duo Big Special joining the bill.

Supersonic also nurtures the next generation of music lovers through its family-friendly kids gigs – Big Sounds for Little People – designed to introduce children to experimental and live music in a joyful, inclusive setting.

The festival continues to receive critical acclaim, with four consecutive 5-star reviews from The Guardian, positioning the city as a leading destination for innovative arts and cultural tourism. The impact is clear: ticket sales show that over 80% of audiences are travelling from outside the West Midlands, including international visitors and audiences from across the UK. This influx of cultural tourists brings significant benefit to the local economy, driving business to hotels, restaurants, and businesses in Digbeth and across the city.

Yet despite this success and global recognition, the future of Supersonic in Birmingham is increasingly uncertain. The festival faces major challenges due to the rapid gentrification of Digbeth, a shortage of independent venues, rising operational costs, and a lack of long-term support from the city. Without urgent intervention, there is a very real possibility that Supersonic may be forced to relocate to another UK city.

Festival co-founder and Artistic Director Lisa Meyer said: “Supersonic is a homegrown success story that continues to bring global recognition and economic benefits to Birmingham. But the pressures we’re under are growing. To keep this internationally acclaimed event in the city, we need meaningful support and recognition of the vital role independent culture plays in Birmingham’s identity and future.”

With its bold artistic vision and deep-rooted commitment to local partnerships, Supersonic remains a flagship cultural event that reflects Birmingham’s spirit as a forward-thinking, globally connected city. From its grassroots beginnings in Digbeth to becoming a globally respected cultural institution, Supersonic Festival proudly puts Birmingham on the map — and keeps it there.