A new outdoor exhibition in Victoria Square is set to celebrate Birmingham's rich musical heritage, marking a significant moment for the city's cultural landscape. Titled 'Amplify Town Hall', this display offers a first glimpse into a comprehensive archive project dedicated to preserving the history of the Grade I listed Town Hall.
Exploring the Exhibition
From Tuesday 17 February until the end of March, visitors will have the opportunity to explore this specially curated exhibition located outside the Town Hall. For the first time, those who have not yet stepped inside the historic building can experience key elements from its extraordinary story, highlighting its role in Birmingham's social, political, and cultural life over 191 years.
A Community-Driven Archive
The exhibition stems from the Amplify Town Hall campaign, launched in 2025 by B:Music, the charity responsible for Town Hall and Symphony Hall, with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Last summer, B:Music partnered with Birmingham Music Archive to create a new archive, resulting in over 1,500 treasured items and memories contributed by music lovers across the city and beyond.
In total, including previously unseen collections, 2,700 items have been digitised, safeguarding programmes, tickets, posters, and photographs that might otherwise have been lost. Highlights include materials from landmark moments such as Black Sabbath's debut performance at Town Hall in April 1970 and a 1949 poster signed by civil rights activist Paul Robeson.
Preserving a Lasting Legacy
These materials now form a permanent installation inside Town Hall, alongside a digital archive developed with Birmingham Open Media, making nearly two centuries of history accessible worldwide. The Victoria Square exhibition presents a snapshot of this installation, inviting the public to discover the venue's story in the heart of the city.
Rachel Cranny, Head of Development and Impact for B:Music, commented, "The Amplify Town Hall campaign represents a defining new chapter for one of the UK's most historic performance venues. By bringing together essential conservation works, community-driven heritage activity, and digital innovation, we are ensuring Town Hall is ready to serve the next generation of artists and audiences."
She added, "We're incredibly grateful to Central BID for their support in making this outdoor exhibition possible. As the Victoria Square display marks the final public moment of the campaign, Amplify Town Hall leaves a powerful and lasting legacy—safeguarding Birmingham's rich musical and civic history while opening the doors wider than ever before."
This initiative not only celebrates the past but also looks to the future, ensuring that Birmingham's musical heritage continues to inspire and engage communities for years to come.
