Brandon Flowers, Mark Ronson, Kelis, Hurts, Tinie Tempah, Kele, Klaxons and Heaven 17 head stellar line up for hmvinstitute!
- Restored iconic venue opens with preview events from Sep 18 and officially launches with Grand Opening party on Sep 25
- Launch of fortnightly Adventures in Stereo (ft. return of legendary Birmingham club Panic) alternating with Electric City club nights on Saturdays
With only two weeks to go before the hmvinstitute opens its doors to the Birmingham public following a long-term, multi-million pound refurbishment, the iconic venue can announce a number of fantastic launch events, including special preview activity, that will really help to showcase its versatility as a contemporary multi-space theatre with an unrivalled capacity in the region to stage an eclectic mix of great live gigs and club nights ranging from big-name international artists to emerging local talent.
The hmvinstitute’s main auditorium will have a 1500 capacity (standing main floor with seated balconies), which will be complemented by the smaller The Library – so named after its original function as a children’s library. This holds upto 600 people and has the benefit of its own street-level access to operate either entirely independently of the main venue or as an extension of it, thus increasing the main venue capacity in the process. There are also two further rooms – The Temple and The Congregation (formerly The Dragon Bar), each with a 300 capacity, while there is also a VIP bar area.
The official Grand Opening party night is set for Saturday, September 25, and will feature gigs by Birmingham’s own Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and Guillemots front-man Fyfe Dangerfield as well as an Electric City club night with special guests Desolat Vs SCI TEC.
Prior to this, the hmvinstitute will open its doors from September 18 for a range of preview events. These will include the launch of an own-brand club night Adventures in Stereo, which will run fortnightly (alternating with Electric City) in association with Club Kerrang! (in The Library) and legendary Birmingham club Panic (in the main auditorium), which will both have their own spaces.
As part of the opening night preview on the 18th Inbetweeners star James Buckley (Jay) will host his own club Common People in The Temple with guest indie-band The Holloways, while Birmingham’s renowned electro-night Chicks Dig Jerks are taking control of The Congregation with their unique mix of twisted beats and best new live talent. The preview activity continues on the 20th with Psychedelic rockers Gong – returning to a venue they first played in the Sixties, and Gorillaz collaborator Little Dragon, who will perform in The Temple on September 24.
The preview and launch activity is the entrée to a mouthwatering main feast of concerts that have been lined up for the weeks and months ahead, one of the main highlights of which is undoubtedly Killers’ superstar front-man, Brandon Flowers, who will perform at the hmvinstitute on October 18 as part of his sellout UK tour. Prior to this, influential artist/producer Mark Ronson and The Business International will be at the venue on September 28, while Electro-Hop diva Kelis performs on October 5 and acclaimed Electro-Pop duo Hurts play on October 7.
Also now booking are Kate Nash (6/10), Tinie Tempah (19/10), The Psychedelic Furs (27/10), Mystery Jets (5/11), Magnetic Man & Katy B (6/11), ex-Bloc Party’s Kele (15/11), We Are Scientists (16/11), 2007 Mercury winners Klaxons (20/11), Eighties icons Heaven 17 (26/11), The Drums (27/11) and Ireland’s Mercury-nominated Villagers (5/12).
Bookings and enquiries can be made online at www.hmvinstitute.com;
from the venue box office or atthe HMV store, 38 High Street, Birmingham.
