“From Grove’s queer swagger to Circle’s ecological visions and Divide and Dissolve’s call for decolonisation, this thrilling underground fest has radical utopianism at its heart” – The Guardian ★★★★★
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Supersonic 2023: First Line-up Announcement & Useful Information
Supersonic Festival is returning in 2023 on the weekend of September 1 – 3, celebrating 20 years since the first Supersonic with an ambitious programme of mind bending music, sense shifting art and life altering experiences.
Nowhere else will you find a festival experience quite like Supersonic’s – since 2003, we have been hosting superior weekends for the adventurous audience, taking care to present only the most artistically relevant and irreverent acts from the UK and across the globe, while simultaneously making sure to fill every moment with the opportunities to let loose and party, or sit down at engaging talks, discussions and workshops, or take in exclusive screenings and exhibitions.
“Supersonic reasserts itself as the best European festival for new music” – The Quietus
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Weekend tickets go on sale Tuesday 28 February at 13:00 GMT.
Ahead of that please find some useful information below.
If you have any specific enquires related to Supersonic 2023 that hasn’t been answered please email info[at]capsule.org.uk and we will get back to you asap.
FAQs
Have a read over our FAQs to help you plan for the festival weekend…
If you have any specific enquires to anything related to Supersonic 2023 that hasn’t been answered please email [email protected] and we will get back to you asap.
Please have your QR codes ready to scan on entry to the festival to enable us a speedy start!
If you purchased your ticket via Tickettech please contact them via [email protected]
Where can I exchange my eTicket for a wristband?
Information about Box Office location and opening times will be announced nearer the time.
Can children come on site?
This is an 18+ festival, but for those who need to bring children with them; our children on site policy is that under 18’s must be off site by 9pm – please check in at box office so we can take contact details. We also recommend you bringing your own ear-defenders, we do not provide these.
Will there be a Supersonic Kids Gig this year?
Yes! Supersonic Kids Gigs are perfect events for children and their families. More information will be published nearer the time.
Are there any access restrictions at the venues?
Whilst our site is largely accessible, there are some areas of The Mill that are currently only accessible via steps. For more information, please read here. And for specific enquiries please contact [email protected]
Do you provide PA tickets?
Yes. Complimentary Personal Assistant tickets for a companion or carer to accompany anyone wishing to attend one of our events. In order to obtain a PA ticket, please write to us via [email protected] with ‘Personal Assistant Ticket Required: Event Name’ in the subject line, once you have purchased your ticket, add the Event Name and the name of the PA (if possible), and the purchased ticket reference number. We will then get back to you and confirm the allocation of a PA ticket.
Can I bring my own alcohol?
Only alcohol purchased on site may be consumed on site. Random bag searches will be in operation throughout the entire weekend and bringing alcohol on to our site will not be permitted.
What is Challenge 25?
Our bars will stock a fine selection of vegan-friendly ales, wine, spirts and soft drinks. In addition we have a very well stocked tea room that sells hot drinks, cakes and cocktails. We are required to operate Challenge 25, and anyone we think looks younger than 25 years will be asked to provide photographic ID. If you think you look younger than 25 years old please make sure you have sufficient ID with you.
Do you serve food on site?
Yes, there will be a variety of traders selling food, plus a tea room on site. We will ensure there are vegetarian and vegan options. A full roster will be announced nearer the time.
Can I apply to Volunteer?
Yes! Volunteer Applications for Supersonic 2023 are now open, there’s more information on how to apply here. If you would like to contact us in advance please write to [email protected] with any specific enquiries, or to help out at our year-round events.
Cash on site
We will continue to accept cash on site at our Box Office and bars, however there are only a few ATM machines in Digbeth, so you might want to take out money prior to arriving at the festival site.
There are two free cash machines located near-by at:
Nisa | Digbeth High Street | B5 5NR open until midnight daily.
Birmingham Coach Station which is open 24hrs.
Smoking
Normal smoking rules apply: you can smoke in any outdoor area on site, you cannot smoke inside any enclosed public buildings.
Parking
The majority of Digbeth street parking is now for permit holders only but there are car parks on Digbeth High Street and Heath Mill Lane. We will share some recommendations nearer the time.
Call Outs
Market Place Call Out – NOW OPEN
The Market Place has been a vibrant part of Supersonic Festival for many years now. It’s a space for independent distributors, record labels, poster artists and pedlars of all kinds of curiosities to sell their wares, network and meet audiences & likeminded folks face to face.
Want to join us?! A weekend Market Place stall booking costs £160 which will include 2 x Supersonic Festival weekend tickets. To apply for a stall booking please complete the form below by Monday 12 June 2023.
We have the following recommended accommodation options for you, please direct any enquiries about this directly to the accommodation providers themselves…
An 8 min walk from our festival hub and 10 mins from New Street / Moor Street Station, this is a great place to book if you’re on a budget and / or or travelling alone.
This city centre hotel is a 23 minute walk / 8 minute taxi ride from our festival hub and a short hop from New Street Station. Promising comfort and convenience in abundance, this hotel is close to city attractions, shopping, and transport links. There is free fibre Wi-Fi, on-site drinks, take away continental breakfast and a 24hr Reception. Limited parking is available on site, otherwise there is an NCP 4 minutes walk away.
We have a special fixed, limited rate for Supersonic Festival attendees of just £67 room only. To book please call +44 121 622 7575 or email: [email protected]and quote #484614
A 10 min walk from our festival hub and 10 min walk from New Street / Moor Street Station, these apartments are the ideal base for your time at Supersonic. No parking on site but 24hr parking available nearby. Double, twin and 4 bed apartments available.
A 10% discount for all festival attendees is available. Bookings can be made either via email (quoting ‘CAPSULE’ in the subject line), [email protected] OR by calling the Hotel on +44 121 399 0500
Featuring free WiFi, Staycity Aparthotels Newhall Square is located an 11-minute walk from Birmingham New Street Train Station and a 30 minute walk to our Festival site. The spacious and stylish apartments include a fully equipped kitchen, a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, as well as fresh towels and bed linen and are in a great city centre location.
Enjoy a festival special 15% discount rate off the best online flexible rate for audience members. All discounts are subject to room availability, and are at Staycity Aparthotels, Birmingham Newhall Square. To place bookings email [email protected], quoting ‘Supersonic’.
Volunteers
Our internationally renowned Supersonic Festival returns to Digbeth 1 – 3 September 2023 and we need a dedicated team of volunteers to help deliver it!
Supersonic has secured its experimental reputation with consistently innovative and explosive concoctions of visual installations, films, exhibitions and music. Guaranteed to open eyes and ears to music and art outside the predictable genre labels and familiar performance spaces.
You will be part of an ever growing, friendly community of music and art lovers helping to maintain the values of bringing the extraordinary to curious audiences in an all inclusive way. This is will be an invaluable experience into how our festival runs but not only that, you’ll be contributing to something truly Superspecial whilst making friends along the way!
The festival is small enough for every volunteer to give real input and value in the following areas:
Artist Liason
Box Office
Hospitality
Site Set up
Merch
Promotion
If you would like to get involved, please complete the application form here.
Volunteers must be over 18 years old.
COVID PROTOCOL
We will continue to monitor the national and international situation regarding Covid over the coming months and will share anything we think will be of use to our audiences.
As we know all restrictions are now lifted, however we are aware that some of our audiences and artists will want to take extra precautions whilst they are with us on site, and so we ask that we are all respectful of anyone wishing to social distance and wear masks.
Whilst we understand that there are no mandatory requirements to do so, we would also ask that anyone who is able to, please take a lateral flow test ahead of coming on site and only proceed on site if you receive a negative result.
Updated March 2023
Code of Conduct
We want you to enjoy your experience of being part of our Supersonic family. Please read about the ways in which we will work to ensure our events are safe and inclusive spaces for all. By choosing to engage with our work, whether digitally or at a live event, you agree to act by this code of conduct:
Respect Each Other / Mind Your Language
Be kind, polite and respectful to others. We will challenge you if you use abusive, racist, sexist, misogynist, ableist, classist, sizeist, ageist, homophobic or transphobic language.
This an anti-racist space. Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, religion, class, age, dis/ability or language is wrong and we will not be tolerated.
Personal Boundaries – Don’t assume
Unless invited, don’t invade other people’s personal or emotional space. Don’t assume that others have the same physical and emotional boundaries as you.
Be Active
This is a space of exchange. Become part of the space, start a dialogue, respond, contribute and help shape it.
Be Kind
Look after one another. We’re all in this space together. Be considerate and treat one another with kindness and respect.
Consent
Always seek consent and if someone says ‘no’, or asks you to stop something, then stop.
Pronouns
Respect the use of pronouns and avoid making assumptions. Ask people how they want to be addressed.
Ask Permission to Photograph
Ask if people are ok with being photographed in advance. We photograph and film during our events for our archive and we will let you know when this is happening so that you can opt out.
* with thanks to Wysing Arts Centre for creating a great code of conduct that we learnt from.
Website Accessibilty
Capsule is committed to ensuring digital accessibility. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone applying relevant accessibility standards. For more detailed information download our policy which we will review periodically.
Thank you for your interest in covering Supersonic Festival 2023.
Please note that there are a limited number of press / media tickets. If you wish to submit a proposal for accreditation, then please contact [email protected] with the subject ‘Supersonic Festival 2023 – Press Accreditation request’.
