First look inside new Birmingham O2 Academy venue
“I’m quite honoured that people in Birmingham recognise us and want to be part of opening the new Academy.”
Promoters have arranged four Birmingham bands to mark the new era for live music in the city.
The Twang will perform for gig-goers on Friday night, after Editors play the first set on Thursday. Birmingham-born Mike Skinner and his band, The Streets, hit the stage on Saturday before Ocean Colour Scene wrap up a weekend of celebrations on Sunday.
Months of work have seen the former Dome nightclub on Bristol Street transformed into a three-venue complex for live music.
Academy 1 will hold more than 3,000 fans, while smaller rooms, the 600-capacity Academy 2 and Academy 3, big enough for 250 fans, can host simultaneous performance under the same roof.
Backstage are state-of-the-art dressing rooms with en-suite showers, a kitchen and games rooms for artists.
Promoters hope it will help to draw the biggest names in music to the city, as well as helping to provide a springboard for unsigned acts.
The former Academy venue in Dale End has closed after final performances on Saturday night. Phil, aged 31, said: “We watched so many bands at the old Academy that to finally play it was like achieving a dream for us.
“Hopefully this will give us some memories too.
“The line-up is fantastic and I expect we will be down here all weekend enjoying the music.
“I remember coming to the Dome nightclub many years ago when they used to have grab-a-granny discos.”
