Symphony Hall Birmingham is a world-renowned concert hall in the city’s Centenary Square. Housed in the same building as the International Convention Centre, it entertains around 370,000 attendees in its stunning auditorium every year.
The concert hall hosts a myriad of performances, including jazz, folk, rock, pop, classical music, comedy, and is also home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Let’s find out more about this outstanding concert hall.
| Read More: Excited about the upcoming games? Find out relevant deets about the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 Schedule. Don’t skip visiting these 15 Fascinating Places in Broad Street, Birmingham. |
This Article Contains
- Symphony Hall Birmingham Contact Details
- The Grand Interiors of Symphony Hall
- The Prestigious Legacy of Symphony Hall
- What Kind of Performances are Staged at Symphony Hall?
- Upcoming and Past Events at Symphony Hall
- Are There Any Parking Facilities at Symphony Hall?
- Getting To Symphony Hall
- Other FAQs About the Symphony Hall
Symphony Hall Birmingham Contact Details
Address: Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, West Midland, B1 2EA, United Kingdom
Email address: boxoffice@bmusic.co.uk, feedback@bmusic.co.uk
Phone numbers:
Box Office Enquiries: 0121 780 3333
Production Office Enquiries: 0121 289 6320
The Grand Interiors of Symphony Hall
Symphony Hall is designed in the shape of a shoebox (replicating the design of the earliest concert halls), consisting mostly of cuboid spaces. This architecture contributes to the hall’s impressive acoustic performance.
The stunning auditorium was designed by Percy Thomas Partnership and Renton Howard Wood Levin. They also received special assistance from acoustical expert Russell Johnson, founder of Artec Consultants Inc., New York.
This 2262 seat concert venue has an acoustic canopy above the stage which can be raised or lowered depending on the number of artists. It helps create a fully immersive sonic experience for every person in the audience.
The concert hall has a U-shaped reverberation chamber behind the stage end. It enhances the hall’s volume by 50% when the colossal doors are open and enables reverberation of cathedral-like proportions.
Don’t forget to relish light bites and beverages in the newly incorporated café in the renovated foyer spaces.
The Prestigious Legacy of Symphony Hall
Since its inception, Symphony Hall has been the focal point of Birmingham City Centre. It is managed by Performances Birmingham Limited, which also looks after the Town Hall in Victoria Square.
On 15 April 1991, Sir Simon Rattle and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra held the first concert in Symphony Hall.
The performance got rave reviews and immense critical acclaim. The Sunday Times called the event “an acoustic triumph”. The Daily Telegraph described the venue as “the best concert hall in the country”.
Some of the most eminent artists and orchestras who have performed on this world stage include:
- Van Morrison
- The Vienna Philharmonic
- Bruce Springsteen
- Ravi Shankar
- Liza Minnelli
- Brian Wilson
- Grace Jones
- Cecilia Bartoli
- London Concert Orchestra
In 2016, acoustics expert Leo Beranek ranked Symphony Hall as having the finest acoustics in the United Kingdom and the seventh-best in the world.
What Kind of Performances are Staged at Symphony Hall?
Here are some magnificent concerts that any person can enjoy at the Symphony Hall:
- Classical: Organ recitals and exceptional performances by maestros of western classical music
- Gigs: Live shows and big hits of famous musicians and bands
- Dance & Entertainment: Dance performances by talented artists to get you grooving
- Jazz: Jazz and folk jazz concerts performed by the world’s finest improvisers and musicians
- Comedy and Spoken Word: Stand-up specials by notable comedians to give you a night of unlimited fun and laughter
- Film: All-time favourite movies alongside a live orchestra, performing incredible soundtracks
Besides these glamorous performances, the hall is also used for planning community events, graduation ceremonies, and elite conferences.
Upcoming and Past Events at Symphony Hall
Since 15 April 1991, Symphony Hall has been attracting a crowd of tourists and musicophiles in and around Birmingham City Centre. After all, Symphony Hall is a great place to discover world music and acclaimed visiting artists from different cultures.
We recommend you get your hands on the tickets for these upcoming events:
| Type of Event | Event and Dates |
| Classical | CBSO 2021/22 Season Finale: Mahler’s Resurrection (22 Jun – 25 Jun 2022) Sheku & Isata Kanneh-Mason (10 Jul 2022) |
| Gigs | Jeff Beck: Special Guest Sharon Corr (6 Jun 2022) Gladys Knight (19 Jun 2022) |
| Dance & Entertainment | Burn The Floor 2022 (22 Jul 2022) Here Come the Boys (23 Jul 2022) |
| Jazz | Jennifer Blackwell Performance SpaceHousewarming Sessions: Rosie Frater-Taylor (15 Jul 2022) The Musical Box: Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (14 Feb 2023) |
| Comedy & Spoken Word | An Evening with David Sedaris ( 25 Jul 2022) Rob Brydon: A Night of Songs & Laughter (16 Jul 2022) |
| Film | Disney’s Hocus Pocus: Film plus Orchestra (25 Oct 2022) Love Actually In Concert: Film with Live Orchestra (13 Dec 2022) |
Now, here are some of the concert hall’s past events:
- Dirty Dancing In Concert: This was the first-ever live film-to-concert experience of Dirty Dancing where a band of singers performed the movie’s iconic songs.
- The Music of Zimmer vs Williams: The London Symphony Orchestra performed this musical masterpiece which included film scores of John Williams and Hans Zimmer.
- In Conversation with Nick Cave: This was an interactive session filled with music and quirky tales by Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave.
- Keane: Keane was a live music concert where the English alternative rock band played the crowd’s favourite songs and some of their legendary hits.
- The Best of John Williams: This performance by the London Symphony Orchestra played the greatest film hits of John Williams. Each score was introduced by the actor himself.
- Sheryl Crow and Colin Macleod: Popular international singers Crow and Macleod played their greatest hits at this enthralling concert.
Are There Any Parking Facilities at Symphony Hall?
The most convenient parking facilities around Birminghams Symphony Hall are at:
- Q-Park Brindleyplace (1 Brunswick Street, B1 2JF)
- Pay & Display car park under the National Indoor Arena (Arena Birmingham) (Birmingham B1 2AA)
- Q-Park The Mailbox (Royal Mail Street, Birmingham B1 1RD)
You can find additional car park spaces in the local Paradise Circus multi-storey car park (formerly Brindley Drive) and the Cambridge Street area.
Getting To Symphony Hall
Whether you want to attend concerts, organise community events, or participate in graduation ceremonies, here are the different ways you can reach Symphony Hall:
1. By Train
There are frequent rail services from the Birmingham New Street and Snow Hill stations to reach Symphony Hall.
The Birmingham Moor Street and Five Ways stations are slightly further away but still within a short distance of Symphony Hall.
2. By Bus
You can easily access Symphony Hall by bus if you’re in the West Midland region. Opt for any of these bus routes passing near Symphony Hall: 23, 24, 61, 63, 9, and X10.
Here are the main bus stations near Symphony Hall:
- Charlotte Street (Stop Pr2) (2 min walk)
- Baskerville House (3 min walk)
3. By Private Car/Taxi
If you’re arriving by private car or taxi, take the road that directly connects you to the Birmingham City Centre. On arriving there, follow the brown tourist signs to the International Convention Centre and Arena Birmingham.
Other FAQs About the Symphony Hall
Are you planning to attend an event at the Symphony Hall sometime soon?
Then check out the answers to all other questions you may have:
1. Is Symphony Hall Currently Open for Concerts?
Symphony Hall is currently open and operates Monday to Saturday – from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Contact the Box Office for tickets (accepting online payments via credit card, digital wallets, etc. only). It remains open Monday to Saturday – from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
2. Do I Need a COVID Pass to Enter Symphony Hall?
From 26 April 2022 onwards, attendees are no longer required to show their Covid-19 Passport or prove their negative Covid status along with their tickets to enter Symphony Hall.
Note: These policies are subject to modifications as per the changing government guidelines. Any changes will be communicated to ticket holders through customer service emails.
3. What are the Best Seats in Birmingham Symphony Hall?
Opt for seats in the central areas to enjoy amazing acoustics and spectacular stage views.
Based on recent reviews and customer service feedback, these seats are the best spots for watching the visiting artists perform live.
4. Does Birmingham Symphony Hall Have Accessible Facilities?
Symphony Hall offers easy access for everyone.
As per the Access Scheme, you’re entitled to a free companion ticket if needed.
The concert hall has accessible seats and toilet facilities. It also welcomes guide dogs (the staff can look after your dogs in the foyer while you enjoy the performance).
The 2262 seat concert venue is also equipped with an infra-red hearing enhancement system, which can be used in conjunction with a hearing aid or with earphones.
Note: The Symphony Hall disabled parking facility is subject to availability, and you’ll have to contact the Box Office for prior booking.
5. What are the Other Attractions Near Symphony Hall?
Keen to experience things beyond world music and stand-up comedy in Birmingham city?
Visit nearby attractions a stone’s throw from Symphony Hall, Cambridge Street, and New Street:
- Library of Birmingham (0.02 miles away)
- Ikon Gallery (0.4 miles away)
- Town Hall (in Victoria Square, 1 mile away)
- The Coffin Works (2 miles away)
- Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (2.2 miles away)
- Theatrix Birmingham (2.2 miles away)
- Legoland Discovery Centre (2.5 miles away)