The Event
Join us for our massed rock extravaganza Brum Rocks Live on Sunday 14th July at Forum Birmingham.
With your performers ticket, turn up at 2pm with your instrument or voice, for a rehearsal ahead of the public performance, all abilities are welcome! We will guide you to learn the songs on the day.
We’ll be performing some classic rock hits from local legends including ELO, alongside the world premiere of Birmingham Poet Laureate Jasmine Gardosi’s brand new Anthem for Birmingham.
If you want to brush up on your skills before you attend, why not join a FREE Brum Rocks workshop near you via brumrocks.com? If you are planning to bring an instrument, you must bring this with you on the day. We are not able to provide instruments for use by participants.
Every gig needs an audience, so if performing isn’t your jam, buy an audience ticket and arrive at 5.30pm to watch Birmingham’s biggest band.
Ticket information
Choosing
your ticket
Brum Rocks is a logistical “beast”! To help us out, we need you to book a ticket that matches the way you want to get involved.
For example:
If you want to sing, please purchase a “Singer” ticket, but if you want to come later and watch the spectacle, then purchase an “Audience” ticket.
PAT Testing
Our Brum Rocks Live venue requires that all mains powered equipment is PAT tested. This includes all of our Misfits Music equipment, but also participants’ equipment. To help ensure everyone can do this, we are running a free drop-in session at the Library of Birmingham. This session is on Saturday 6th July from 11am-1pm in the Music Library on the Lower Ground Floor. You’ll be able to bring along any equipment you’ll be using at Brum Rocks Live and get it tested.
What needs to be PAT tested?
Any equipment that is mains powered needs to be PAT tested. This includes guitar and bass amplifiers, some keyboards, and other instruments. It also includes any power leads, so if your amp/keyboard has a detachable power lead (sometimes called a "kettle lead" or "AC lead") you must bring that along too. Battery powered equipment does not need to be PAT tested. If you aren’t sure, drop us an email at brumrocks@misfitsmusic.org.uk.
What is PAT testing?
PAT testing is a visual and electrical inspection of equipment. The visual inspection involves a registered PAT tester looking over equipment to see if there are any loose wires, or dodgy connections. Some equipment may need to be plugged into a specific testing box to ensure everything is working inside.
How long will it take?
The PAT testing itself only takes a few minutes. However, if we have lots of people turning up at the same time, there may be a bit of a wait.
To sign up for this free session, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/vXBUgjsVvoPragRc9. Remember, you won’t be able to use any mains equipment at Brum Rocks Live that isn’t PAT tested, so if you don’t come to this session you may have to sort something out yourself.
Further information
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You don't have to, free tickets are available for people who need them!
You don’t have to buy a ticket, free tickets are available for people who need them. You can sign up for one here, we only ask that you let us know if you can no longer attend, so we can offer your ticket to someone else.
Buying a ticket if you can, means people who can’t won’t miss out
If you can afford to, it’s great to buy a ticket as this ensures that we can offer free tickets to those who need them most.
Lots of people drop out when an event is free
When events are completely free, lots of people sign up for a ticket but then don’t end up coming, as plans change, they don’t fancy it, or they even forget they signed up. This often means that free events are sold out and people who do really want to come, don’t get the chance.
Most people will be performing, rather than audience members
This event isn’t like a normal gig where there are a handful of performers on the stage and the rest of the room is filled with the audience. For Brum Rocks Live, Forum Birmingham will be filled with singers and instrumentalists from all walks of life, and we will focus on those people having the best experience on the day. To reflect this, the ticket price is higher for performers rather than the audience who will only arrive later in the day to watch the final performance unfold.
This project has been amazing, but very costly to run
Over the past year we’ve been able to offer over 60 free music workshops to people all across Birmingham and Sandwell. As well as public sessions that anyone could attend, we’ve provided a brand new introduction to the power of music to groups such as:
Sandwell Visually Impaired
Journey LGBT+ Asylum Group
Sandwell Mental Health Recovery College
The Birmingham Chinese Community Centre
And many more
To make Brum Rocks happen we’ve had to cover the costs of everything from Room and Venue Hire, our Professional Music Workshop Leader Fees, Sound Technicians, Lighting, Equipment Purchase/Hire, Insurance and more.
We were very grateful to receive grant money from The National Lottery Community Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund which has helped fund around 70% of the costs of the project, however we still have a shortfall of 30% which we need to make up from ticket and merchandise sales (where people can afford them).
We don’t expect there to be a surplus from ticket sales, even if we sell out the entire venue. However, in the unlikely event that there is a small surplus, every penny will go towards our charity Misfits Music Foundation (N.1191378) running accessible music projects for adults in need in the West Midlands.
You will have an amazing experience that is worth paying for!
Performers will have the opportunity to join us earlier in the day for a rehearsal with our team of professional musicians. During this rehearsal you will work with Birmingham’s Poet Laureate Jasmine Gardosi and our professional Music Directors who will guide you to learn their new song, a true celebration of Birmingham and The Black Country. You’ll also be performing alongside our “House Band'', two orchestras, our two massed rock bands, countless choirs and plenty more musicians from across the region. With top quality artists involved, and an exciting schedule this event is something you’ll be proud to have been a part of. It truly represents a unique and one-off experience that you won’t forget.
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If you want to play an instrument as well as sing, please book a ticket for your instrument. For example, if you want to play guitar and sing, just book a “Guitar” ticket.
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We cannot provide any amps for use on the day, so we recommend bringing an acoustic guitar or bass.
However, if you need an amp, you may bring one.
If you can bring a mains-powered amp, it must have a valid PAT test. We will offer free PAT Tests at a Birmingham city centre location (TBC) on a date close to Brum Rocks Live. Any mains-powered amps without a valid PAT test will not be able to be used on the day.
Max Amp Size = 50cm x 50cm x 30cm
If you own a battery-powered amp, there is no need to have a PAT Test; this can be brought along on the day!
Please see above for more details.
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There is limited space; this being the case, please bring no more than a snare drum and a floor tom.
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If you would like to play a keyboard, which is not battery-powered, please email brumrocks@misfitsmusic.org.uk, and we will email you if/when specific keyboard tickets become available.
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Free Tickets are available for those who may otherwise not be able to attend. If you require a free ticket, sign up here.
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Please email brumrocks@misfitsmusic.org.uk if you require a free ticket for your carer.
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Become a Brum Rocks Hero and take the opportunity to donate extra during checkout. All donations will go towards making Brum Rocks Live an event to remember and towards Misfits Music Foundation (Registered Charity 1191378) bringing the power of music to as many people as possible.
Date and times
14th of July 2024
Please eat before arriving
Arrive by 2:00pm with your instrument or voice
Massed rehearsal
6:00pm concert
End 8:00pm
Doors open at 5:30pm
Concert Starts at 6:00pm
End 8:00pm
Location
find us at
Forum Birmingham is attached to “The Square Shopping Center,” which can be easily reached by public transport and on foot.
Just search:
Forum Birmingham,
52 - 54 Dale End,
Birmingham,
B4 7LS
Or click here for a Google Map link
Transport
Links/facilities
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Buses that stop outside Forum Birmingham: 16A, 23, 4, 45, 87, 97, X2
Buses that stop a 5 min walk away: 50, 25, 3, 2
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Snow Hill Station - 7 min walk
New Street Station - 8min walk
Moor Street Station - 7min walk -
All Birmingham City Center Rail Stations have taxi ranks that have black cabs outside. These usually have card machines for payment and also take cash.
If you prefer to use apps, the main service providers are Uber and Bolt.
If you prefer traditional taxis or require additional access assistance you can use services like:
Birmingham City Taxis: 0121 728 3999
A2B Radio Cars/ Veezu: 0121 744 1111 -
We strongly recommend avoiding using cars to get to Brum Rocks; however, we can provide the following information:
Birmingham Clean Air Zone:
Forum Birmingham is located within the clean air zone. Vehicles affected are predominantly diesel fueled made before 2016; the fee is £8 and takes 6 days to pay. To check your vehicle, click here.
Parking
There are various car parks around the city centre, with differing prices and accessibility options. The nearest car park listed on Google Maps is NCP Birmingham Londonderry House, which is a 4-minute walk to Forum Birmingam.
