O2 Academy Birmingham facts for kids
Exterior of venue, c.2010
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| Former names | The Night Out Theatre Restaurant (1975–1981) Dome II Nightclub (1981–2003) O2 Academy Birmingham (2009–present) |
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| Address | 16–18 Horsefair Bristol Street Birmingham, West Midlands B1 1DB |
| Location | Birmingham City Centre |
| Coordinates | 52°28′24.44″N 1°53′59.47″W / 52.4734556°N 1.8998528°W |
| Owner | Academy Music Group |
| Capacity | 3,009 (Academy) 600 (Academy 2) 250 (Academy 3) |
The O2 Academy Birmingham is a popular music venue located in Birmingham, England. It's a place where many different bands and artists come to play live music for their fans.
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About the O2 Academy Birmingham
The O2 Academy Birmingham is a cool music venue in the city of Birmingham, England. It's a place where many different bands and artists come to play live music for their fans.
A New Home for Music
The O2 Academy didn't always used to be in its current spot. It first opened in a different part of Birmingham called Dale End. But in September 2009, it moved to a new and improved building on Bristol Street. This new building used to be a nightclub called Dome II.
The move happened for a couple of reasons. The old venue wasn't quite right for modern music shows. Also, the building it was in was going to be torn down to make way for new developments. So, a new, purpose-built venue was the perfect solution!
Opening with a Bang!
When the new O2 Academy opened on Bristol Street, it kicked off with some amazing concerts. A local band called Editors played the very first show. Other popular bands like The Twang, The Streets, and Ocean Colour Scene also performed soon after. To celebrate the opening, special wristbands were given out to fans.
Three Stages, One Venue
The O2 Academy Birmingham is special because it has three different performance areas. This means it can host several shows at the same time!
- The main room, called the Academy, can hold up to 3,009 people.
- Academy 2 is a smaller room for about 600 people.
- Academy 3 is the smallest, holding up to 250 people.
This design is a big improvement from the old venue. Now, each room can have its own entrance and ticket office. This makes it easier for everyone to get in and enjoy the shows.
Club Nights
Besides live concerts, the O2 Academy also hosts popular club nights. For example, "Propaganda" is a club night that plays a mix of indie and pop music across all three rooms. "Subculture" is another well-known club night for metal and rock fans. Both of these moved to the new venue when it opened in 2009.
Performance Areas
The O2 Academy Birmingham has three main areas where artists perform. Each area is designed for different audience sizes.
The Main Academy Room
The main room is simply known as the Academy. It's the biggest stage in the building. It can hold a total of 3,009 people. Most of the space is for standing, with room for 2,409 fans. There's also a special balcony with seats for 600 people. This seated area has its own entrance, bar, and cloakroom.
Academy 2
Academy 2 is a medium-sized room. It's perfect for slightly smaller shows and can fit up to 600 people. In Academy 2, everyone stands. However, there is a special raised area for people who use wheelchairs, so they can see the stage clearly.
Academy 3
Academy 3 is the smallest stage at the venue. It's great for new bands or more intimate performances. It can hold up to 250 people, and it's an all-standing room.
