The news that this legendary Midlands venue is to re-open after a grand renovation has sent thrills across the UK music industry.
On top of the world-class line-ups already announced, additional excitement comes as cult events Bingo Lingo and Just The Tonic Comedy Club will be holding their own summer residencies with the likes of Jimmy Carr, Jason Manford and Reginald D. Hunter at Forum Birmingham.
The first recruitment drive has also begun with more than 200 positions to be filled at all levels across the venue as the countdown continues to the much-anticipated opening.
The venue has been the site of some historic moments in British music history with the likes of The Clash, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Nirvana, Sonic Youth and The Beastie Boys all having played there over the years. The
multi-roomed 3500 capacity venue, formerly known as The Ballroom, the Top Rank Suite and The Academy, has now been fully renovated. The original woven wooden sprung dance floor is back in action. There will be newly polished concrete floors, a steel mezzanine for overarching views and a world-renowned line array sound system from d&b audiotechnik. There is also a brand new second room, Space 54, with its own high spec light and sound system for 350 people to get lost in the music in a more intimate space.
The venue will have a carefully curated music policy that is set to make it one of the UK’s most essential nights out covering techno, house, electro and drum & bass as well as plenty in between. Highlights for the first
season include a live show from Northern Irish pair Bicep, plus sets from Skream, Kerri Chandler, Andy C, DJ Hazard, David Rodigan MBE, Erol Alkan, LTJ Bukem, Massive Attack’s Daddy G, Slowthai and plenty more. There will be much more to Forum Birmingham than just weekend raves with the news that crowd-roaring interactive bingo brand Bingo Lingo will host a summer of wild events at the venue. This is not bingo as you know it; it is an exciting, entertaining off-the-wall occasion that has rolled into more than 30 cities in the last five years. Each game features twerking, dance-offs, one-of-a-kind prizes from a new car to electric scooters, festival tickets to giant inflatables. Celebrity guests like Mr Motivator and The Chuckle Brothers have hosted in
the past. Bingo Lingo are also seeking applications for brand ambassadors to work on their Birmingham shows and you can find out more at their IG page @bingolingo.
On top of all this, side-splitting weekly laughs will be served up by Just the Tonic Comedy Club. Widely regarded as one of the best independent comedy brands in the UK over the last 25 years, the brand will team up
with Dave’s Comedy to host three special events: 25th June is headlined by Reginald D. Hunter, Ed Byrne, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean and Birmingham’s funniest new duo, Good Kids, while 10th July brings Jason Manford and on
July 24th the one and only Jimmy Carr stops by twice as part of his latest tour.
Of course, none of this will be possible without experienced and dedicated staff. Recruitment has now begun with 200 jobs to fill and people from the region are encouraged to apply for the roles of General Manager, Head
of Corporate Events, Graphic Designer, Bar Staff, Venue Steward and Cleaning Staff with more to follow. Alongside this a number of vocational training positions are planned for autumn including sound engineer, artist
liaison, lighting technician, event manager and event stylist.
