Birmingham’s independent music scene is coming together to put on an eventful day of music and protest in response to planning proposals that threaten to see more than 50 local businesses either demolished or displaced.
The Digbeth Music Venues Alliance, made up of XOYO Birmingham, Luna Springs, Club Colette, Mama Roux’s and The Night Owl, are joining forces with Save Our Scene for the Save Digbeth Block Party on Sunday 11th October, taking over Lower Trinity Street and surrounding venues from 2pm to 9pm. Combining live music, DJs and campaigning, tickets for this family-friendly event start from £15.
The event follows Network Rail’s proposals for a £1.75 billion Midlands Rail Hub, set to fundamentally reshape the Lower Trinity Street and Bordesley Viaduct area, the home to many of Birmingham’s independent music and nightlife venues.
Over 50 independent businesses could be impacted by changes to the area, with venues citing that they have not been offered any relocation assistance, guaranteed compensation or clear timescales for the potential losses they could suffer.
While many supporters of the proposals want to see improvements to Birmingham’s transport network, campaigners are calling for the cultural implications to be properly considered before any decisions are made.
The Block Party will be showcasing the scene at risk, with the SOS Street Stage headlined by Silva Bumpa, alongside Fleur Shore, Tom Shorterz, Faraz and 22 Collective. SOS will also bring out their famed fire truck once again for the event, which has become a key part of their campaign for the area.
Inside XOYO, Fat Tony will headline a bill of Low Steppa, Monki and Birmingham favourite Paul Morrell, while KISS at Club Colette will bring together Illyus & Barrientos, Jess Bays, TCTS, Beth and Act On, giving another opportunity to sample contemporary house and electronic music.
“Scenes like this take years to build but can disappear in a few planning decisions,” says Low Steppa, who got his start in Digbeth. “We need to protect the venues, the late-night licences, and the people who make it what it is.”
Save Our Scene founder George Fleming is also calling on Network Rail to review the approach before the next public consultation, due to take place in summer 2027.
The campaign has already seen more than 4,000 letters sent to Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood. Organisers are calling on Block Party goers to continue to keep up the pressure on decision makers by getting in touch with their MPs via the Save Our Scene campaign.
For Digbeth’s venues, it is a message that development should not come at the expense of the cultural ecosystem that made the area one of Birmingham’s most important creative hubs.
EVENT DETAILS
Save Digbeth Bloc Party
Sunday 11th October 2026
Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AG
2pm – 9pm
Free outdoor street party | Venue stages (capacity ticketed)
Tickets and campaign info: saveourscene.uk