Carling Academy Birmingham, previously the infamous Hummingbird in Dale End was redesigned and developed by AMG and opened on November 16th 2000 with local heroes Ocean Colour Scene to an ecstatic full house. Birmingham had long been without a medium sized venue until the Academy Music Group stepped in, building on the success of the award winning Academy venue in Brixton. Carling Academy Birmingham became its second Academy branded live music and club venue outside of the Capital.
Thanks to its capacity of 2,700 plus extra rooms and bars, the venue allows for numerous flexible configurations and venue formats, therefore the Academy has fast become Birmingham's premier, cutting edge music and club venue offering the best live events and club nights in the area and a focal point for nightlife in the Midlands.
Gigs are brimful of hype and excitement and the venue already has an impressive back catalogue of gigs bringing back old favourites, the stars of tomorrow, as well proactively supporting up and coming new talent. For agents it has become the gig on the UK touring circuit, with music of all genres and artists from across the globe; Kings Of Leon, Beck, Primal Scream, The Strokes, Basement Jaxx, Nine Inch Nails, Weezer to name but a few!
The Academy developed its second room at the venue 'Carling Academy 2 Birmingham', that operates with a capacity of 400/600 to support newly signed bands on the rise and local talent. Just a selection of artists that have gone on to fill its flagship sister venue in Brixton, such as The Libertines, Scissor Sisters and Razorlight, have all played intimate sets in Carling Academy 2 and gone on to great things.
In 2005, Carling Academy Birmingham was voted 'Best Concert Venue (over 500)' and 'Best Club/Club Night' by Evening Mail (Birmingham) readers from their 2004 public poll. The Academy was also nominated in the 'Best Venue' category at both the 2005 and 2004 NME Awards and the industry's 2004 BEDA Awards also nominated the Academy in it's 'Best Venue' category; all incredible achievements.
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