Can you sense summer coming? That only means one thing. Birmingham’s music festival calendar is back and it’s full to the brim with some of the best music performances. So grab your mates, crack open the cans of beer, get the glitter out and prepare to dance the summer away. Here’s our guide to some of the top music festivals in Birmingham running throughout the summer of 2023.
1. Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival (July 7-9)
Birmingham’s Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival returns this July with another incredible line-up of world-class artists and the hottest new talent. Kicking off the summer vibes is US funk and disco legends KC & The Sunshine Band, who will headline on Sunday. They’ll join Ezra Collective, one of the UK’s most exciting jazz acts, jazz legends Incognito and Fat Freddy’s Drop as the other headliners this year.
Also heading to Moseley Park for this July 7 to 9 is Jamz Supernova, Jasmine Myra, Mica Millar, Goldie, Jungle, Mr Scruff, Crazy P Soundsystem, and DJ Norman Jay. You’ll soon forget you’re only two miles from Birmingham’s city centre, with the three-day festival taking place in the stunning 11-acre woodland in the heart of Moseley Village. Adult weekend tickets are available herefrom £145.
2. Simmer Down Festival (July 16)
Simmer Down is one of the largest and most diverse festivals in Birmingham. If you love roots reggae and its fantastic history, this one’s for you. Situated in the beautiful surroundings of Handsworth Park, it is a free family fun-day festival, which celebrates Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity by paying tribute to the centrality of reggae and other musical genres that have contributed to Birmingham as an international city of culture.
3. Solihull Summer Fest (July 22-23)
Solihull Summer Fest is the ultimate feel-good music festival in Birmingham. Never failing to bring the sunshine! (Even if it’s raining). None other than 70s chart-toppers Boney M will headline the incredible Sunday line-up, which also includes Odyssey, Martin Kemp, Johnny Hates Jazz and ASWAD. On Saturday, festivalgoers will get to see Lisa Stansfield, Blue, Pixie Lott and, back by popular demand, Artful Dodger. Weekend tickets are available herefrom £80.
4. Birmingham Mela (July 22-23)
The UK’s biggest South Asian music festival returns to Birmingham for another year. This celebration of South Asian culture and creativity will see tens of thousands head to Victoria Park in Smethwick this July. Expect the best in pop, folk and classical music from across the globe, British Asian urban acts, dance, visual arts, arts and crafts, as well as exhibitions and a shopping bazaar. There’s guaranteed to be something for every generation of every community in Birmingham. Learn more here.
5. MADE Festival (July 29)
It’s back in Brum! To the surprise of everyone, MADE Festival will return to its original inner-city site in Digbeth this summer. Taking place July 29 in The Digbeth Triangle, the much-loved festival was last seen in the second city in 2019 before being forced to move elsewhere in the West Midlands. Tickets and line-ups are yet to be released, but you can keep up-to-date here. It’s guaranteed to be a banger of a homecoming.
6. Páirc Festival (August 26-27)
Páirc Festival is all set to bring the biggest names and best Irish talent to Birmingham this year. Taking place at the outdoor grounds of the former Stadium Club, the New Irish Centre in Kings Heath. So far only Derek Ryan, All Folk’d Up and Ceol have been announced, but we’re exexpectingots more big names to be dropped soon. Attendees can also enjoy Páirc’s street food village, Irish Dance School, market stalls celebrating local makers and traditional Irish produce, plus outdoor bars and beer tents. Adult weekend tickets start from £70.
7. Moseley Folk & Arts Festival (September 1-3)
Moseley Folk & Arts Festival is one of the best-loved and most anticipated arts and folk music festivals in Birmingham, attracting an enthusiastic and loyal audience of music fans and families to the picturesque suburban oasis in Moseley. Running from September 1-3 at Moseley Park and Pool, the annual event will see appearances from Squeeze, The Saw Doctors, Wilco, The Proclaimers and many more. Adult weekend tickets start from £145.
8. Supersonic Festival (September 1 – 3)
For those of you who love a bit of weirdness from your musical festivals, try Supersonic this year. The Quietus called it the “mother of all British underground festivals” and it is an internationally renowned experimental music and arts festival. Supersonic’s 2023lineupp will be announced soon, but we’re expecting some of the worlds most extraordinary musicians and visual artists, as well as stellar audience participation. This is going to be a one-of-a-kind among music festivals in Birmingham. To learn more head here.