Here’s a list of Birmingham clubbing events for those wanting to escape Broad Street

Looking for a change from the typical Birmingham student nights? Bored of going to the same venues week on week? Well, you’ve come to the right place as I’ve got news for you: Birmingham has so many more clubbing options than you may think.

When you first join university you’re thrusted into the realm of Broad Street, The Guild and various disco-esque nights with cheap tickets via Fatsoma. When I was a fresher I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t enjoying my nights out. I went to all of them, as most students do, but I eventually felt alienated.

I dreaded the same music week on week which guides you through a night that doesn’t relent until one of your housemates vomits something Jäger-smelling and you get to leave with a sick bag in hand from medical.

Guild nights and Broad Street are not my thing. And that’s totally fine. Even if you haven’t had my experience, it is still worth branching out. I found these rave events and collectives to be a safe haven from regular clubbing with music you can be excited about.

I really encourage you to get involved with what often feels like Birmingham’s best kept secrets!

Calm International 

Starting off strong! 

I first discovered Calm in 2022 and it was immediately one of my favourite rave nights in Brum. Jyoty Singh (a London-based DJ from Amsterdam) headlined and my housemates and I were blown away.

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The energy at Calm is genuinely like nothing else. Hosted at Lab11 in Digbeth, you can expect a Boiler Room atmosphere, with vibey visuals, experimental dance music and a hyped crowd. From afro-house and jungle to jumpy techno, the line-up is always sick with a carefully selected range of diversely talented DJs and producers. 

Past headliners include Taylah Elaine, JAEL and urban jazz artist IAMDDB, just to name a few.

Also Jorja Smith has made surprise appearances before.

Calm International’s Instagram and RA are the first to know about its upcoming events so be sure to follow them.

Redhead Records 

Poster art by SPRL

You might’ve seen some cool event posters in the UoB library toilets before Christmas. This is them! 

Run by a University of Birmingham student, Joe Dickson, Redhead Records is reviving the rave scene in Birmingham in a unique way, utilising intimate local venues for the best atmosphere with a quality sound system.

This collective boasts an insane lineup of the best local DJs, including your fellow talented students. Expect dance music for every taste with house, techno, garage, breaks and jungle. 

Its next event is on the 14th February for a Valentine’s Day Special at PST in Digbeth. You can gain tickets to this event here.

Sum Cellar 

Sum Cellar has been an integral part of Birmingham’s underground rave scene for almost 10 years. Held in the Rainbow Pub’s courtyard and basement room, both spaces are packed with a crowd that always brings the most energy. With UKG, grime, breaks, techno and house, the lineup is selected for quality and variety. 

I had the best time at its last event in December. Local multi-genre MC, SOX, headlined alongside some amazing local DJ’s. Sum Cellar really feels like a well organised community rave space.

These events also have seriously affordable tickets, starting as low as £4 so follow Sum Cellar on Instagram and grab tickets early for its upcoming event on the 29th March! 

The Collective 

Local DJ IzeForShort

The Collective group hosts events at Artum, an event space inside Hockley Social Club.

These nights celebrate upcoming DJs and culture on and off the dance floor. What I love is that you can see the DJs and MCs are having so much fun with great chemistry. It’s an amazing vibe there.

With a diverse range of producing and MCs you can get an amazing mix of genre and sound. The Collective’s events and artists are a true underground music community. Think break beats, grime, diverse house with amapiano and hip hop groove.  

The music and the crowd were both amazing at its event last November. Also it’s an added bonus getting a change from a Digbeth weekend. 

Club Angellica 

Local DJ Q Sermon

Curated by Birmingham’s own Jossy Mitsu, Club Angellica was born in September 2024 and is now past its third instalment of what feels like the coolest house party you’ve ever been to. Located in Hare & Hounds, its nights are intimate high-energy dance spaces with vibey decor and lighting. 

Its iconic haloed-angel logo watches over a fast moving dance-floor, where you’ll find an assortment of sound thanks to a well curated lineup of local and non-local DJs. 

Club Angellica hosts an alternating selection of electronic dance music with tech-house, garage, grime and drums.

Every time I go it is pure magical chaos. I cannot wait for the next one!

Genesis Collective 

Last but definitely not least. 

The Genesis Collective is an iconic rave staple in Birmingham. 

Holding events at Lab 11, Genesis brings the best of underground UKG, speed garage and bassline grime. 

Run by University of Birmingham alumni, these events are true homages to Brum and UK rave talents, with the best MCs and insane DJs.  

Past line-ups include Zero, Prozak and MC Flowdan.

If you haven’t been before I do not know why!

The Genesis Collective’s next event is on the 21st February at Lab 11 Digbeth. Headliners include Lady Leshurr and Sox so grab your tickets now!

Make sure to follow all these collectives on Instagram so you can stay in the loop

Nightlife is so often contained to big venues and promoters that can afford to give you huge headliners or cheap entries on a regular basis. To keep varied and exciting dance floors alive people need to support the smaller promoters and collectives that make nightlife special.

These places uplift the talents of DJs establishing themselves in the scene, and break barriers so often in place for women, BAME and LGBTQ+ artists. 

Hope to see you in the rave!