B:Music, the Birmingham music charity responsible for Town Hall and Symphony Hall, has launched its new August to October programme for 2024 which includes comedy, live music, films, family entertainment, and spoken word on its two world-famous stages.

The new season showcases an array of performances at Town Hall and Symphony Hall. From the Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Curtis Stigers to the young musicians of the National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain, August sees a varied and exciting programme. There is plenty more live music to choose from in September, with something for everyone from Fisherman’s Friends to the Kidderminster Male Choir featuring Aled Jones, and October sees Gareth Gates singing Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, as well as Life on Our Planet: Live in Concert.

Crazy for comedy? B:Music is providing the laughs this Autumn with a plethora of comedy A-listers to choose from, many of the shows forming part of the Birmingham Comedy Festival. Stand-up stars including Sarah Millican: Late Bloomer (30 August, 1 September, and 13 October), Ben Elton: Authentic Stupidity (9 September), Nish Kumar: Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe (28 September), Milton Jones: Ha!Milton (6 October), Maisie Adam: Appraisal (8 October), Rachel Parris: Poise (10 October), and Jason Byrne: No Show (11 October) will be taking to the Town Hall and Symphony Hall stages for the ultimate feel-good night out.

Love live music? Expect perfect harmonies, bittersweet lyrics, and emotional depth when vocal quartet Little Big Town bring their very own style of country music to Symphony Hall as one of just seven UK dates on their Take Me Home tour (17 September). The Birmingham Classical 2024/25 season kicks off in October with a collection of concerts bringing music to the city from all over the globe. Don’t miss the chance to experience classical music in a space that is widely considered to be one of the finest concert halls in the world. Raising the curtain on the season is the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine on their first visit to Birmingham in a concert that features the music of Rossini, Sibelius, Brahms and Beethoven (8 October). For something completely different, Afro Celt Sound System are among the pioneers of the contemporary world music scene. Their groundbreaking fusion of African, Gaelic and Bhangra-influenced sounds has won the hearts and minds of audiences since the group’s beginnings over 25 years ago. The legendary Afro-Celtic band will bring spirits and music from different cultures together for a breathtaking show at Town Hall (22 October). Sam Beam is a singer-songwriter who has been creating music as Iron & Wine for over a decade. Through the course of seven albums, and numerous EPs and singles, Iron & Wine has captured the emotion and imagination of listeners with distinctly cinematic songs, which will be played at Town Hall (29 October). And experience the astoundingly epic music of Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert, which sees the film presented on a huge HD screen, accompanied by a range of musicians and instrumentalists performing music from the film’s score and soundtrack live to picture (6 September). This includes a full orchestra, a scratch DJ on turntables, percussion, and electronic instruments.

Searching for family fun? Bring the whole family to Town Hall in October to experience Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book (26-27 October). This delightful musical adaptation of the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs. Or join Toscana Strings for Little Red Riding’s H.O.O.D and Monkey Puzzle (1 September) and enjoy these two stories set to music and brought to life in a performance which is a perfect introduction to music and dance. The performance takes place in an informal atmosphere and joining in is encouraged!

Looking to learn? B:Music is bringing some world-class speakers with plenty of stories to its stages. In Astronauts: The Quest to Explore Space, European Space Agency astronaut Tim Peake will recount stories from his own journey to space and bring to life iconic and groundbreaking missions from the past (4 September). Candice Brathwaite, Sunday Times bestselling author, journalist, podcaster, speaker and presenter will host a special conversation telling us exactly what manifesting looks like at Town Hall in Manifesto (9 September). Or join Joe Lycett for a trip inside his Art Hole (21 September). Celebrate the launch of Joe’s all-new book in his hometown of Birmingham in a show brimming with surprises as Joe reads some of his favourite stories from the book, alongside the paintings that were inspired by them. Every ticket comes with a signed hardback copy of Joe Lycett’s Art Hole, available for collection at the event.

There’s even a celebration of brass music with Brass in a Day (8 September). The day will allow people to encounter and engage with brass music at any level in the B:Eats café, through to the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Children’s Band, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire graduates on the cusp of their professional career, and some of the best brass bands in the world, Cory Band performing alongside their fellow top five band, Black Dyke Band.

Other highlights of the August to October 2024 season include Grammy-nominated singer and actor Chris Isaak (13 August), Toad on the Road: An Evening with Neighbours Star Ryan Moloney in front of a live audience at Town Hall (3 September), and a performance from a man whose career spans over 50 years, Engelbert Humperdinck, who performs at Symphony Hall as part of his The Legend Continues tour (10 September).

To see the full programme and to book tickets, visit bmusic.co.uk