Supersonic Festival is returning in 2024 on the weekend of August 30 – September 1 for our 18th edition. It’s now 21 years since the first Supersonic in 2003, and we have another ambitious programme of mind bending music, sense shifting art and life altering experiences lined up for you. Nowhere else will you find a festival experience quite like Supersonic’s.
Our weekend will be another fine array, ideal for an 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
Inspired by the global “solidarity ticket” movement, this year we are once again providing a Solidarity Ticket. For those of our audience who can afford to do so, purchasing one of these tickets will be subsidising a % of free tickets for others, whilst also ensuring the good ship Supersonic keeps sailing for many future festival editions.
Ahead of the festival please find some useful information below, but if you have any specific enquires related to Supersonic 2024 that haven’t been answered below in our FAQs, please email [email protected] and we will get back to you asap.
Box Office
Friday 30 August, 5 – 11pm
Zellig, Gibb Street, Birmingham B9 4AT
Our Box Office / wristband exchange will be located in the foyer of the Zellig building (equally distant from both of our main venues). We will be opening early at 5pm and encourage you to come and get your wristband and festival programme as early as you can to ease queuing into venues.
Saturday 31 August, 3 – 11pm
XOYO (formerly The Mill), 29 Lower Trinity Street, Birmingham B9 4AG
Our Box Office / wristband exchange will be located at XOYO. If you are a day ticket holder, we encourage you to come and get your wristband and festival programme as early as you can to ease queuing in to venues.
Sunday 1 September, 2 – 10pm
XOYO (formerly The Mill), 29 Lower Trinity Street, Birmingham B9 4AG
Our Box Office / wristband exchange will be located at XOYO. If you are a day ticket holder, we encourage you to come and get your wristband and festival programme as early as you can to ease queuing in to venues.
DOOR & CURFEW TIMES
Full timetable will be published closer to the festival. Workshops and other extra-curricular activities may occur outside of these times – more details to follow.
GETTING TO THE FESTIVAL
Photo by Snaprockpop
Train – https://www.thetrainline.com/ – the festival is an 18 minute walk from New Street Station and 14 minutes talk from Moor Street Station
Digbeth is located just a 12 – minute walk from the Bullring. Approx 18 minutes to New Street and 14 minutes to Moor Street Station. Also, about 10 minutes from Birmingham Coach Station. It is possible to get buses from the city centre along Digbeth High Street. Please be aware extensive roadworks are still taking place down Digbeth High Street. For ease of access, we strongly advise our audience walking from the city centre down the high street to remain on the left-hand side as the right-hand side (with the coach station) appears to be least straightforward route. We will monitor this and update as / when.
BY CAR
There are several car parks within walking distance of the festival site.
Trinity Street Car Park, Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham B9 4AL
24 hour parking
High Street Digbeth Public Car Park, Oxford Street, B5 6DY
24 hour parking
Coventry Street Car Park, Meriden Street, B5 5LY
24 hour parking
Digbeth Court Carpark, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
24 hour parking
North Yard Car Park, Gibb Street, Birmingham B9 4AU
Open 6am – 11pm
TAXI OPTIONS
To ensure roads remain as clear as possible during our event, we will proactively encourage audience members without any additional access needs to use an UBER pin away from the venues. We will advertise this on our website / festival brochure and live, during the event, via social media. We will also ensure stewards remain on hand to direct audiences requiring other kinds of taxis to the nearby Coach Station where there is an ample taxi rank. However, it is entirely possible to get taxis to meet you at the entrance of our venues too.
CYCLE
Currently there is nowhere secure on site, suitable for storage, but there are several options on the nearby Custard Factory estate.
FAQs
Photo by Katja Ogrin
Please note, due to the change in venues this year, we have updated our online information.
Please have a read of the below to help you plan for the festival weekend… and if you have any specific enquires to anything related to Supersonic 2024 that hasn’t been answered below, please email [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you asap.
Where can I find my e-ticket?
Once you have purchased your ticket(s), you should receive an e-ticket(s)with an attached QR code via an email from [email protected].
Please have your QR codes ready to scan on entry to the festival to enable a speedy start! Printouts are handy, but we prefer scanning your ticket on your phone – way better for the environment.
Our Box Office / wristband exchange will be located in the foyer of the Zellig building (equally distant from both of our main venues). We will be opening early at 5.00pm and encourage you to come and get your wristband and festival programme as early as you can to ease queuing into venues.
Our Box Office / wristband exchange will be located at XOYO. If you are a day ticket holder, we encourage you to come and get your wristband and festival programme as early as you can to ease queuing in to venues.
Our Box Office / wristband exchange will be located at XOYO. If you are a day ticket holder, we encourage you to come and get your wristband and festival programme as early as you can to ease queuing in to venues.
What venues are being used this year?
O2 Institute (stage 1) // 78 Digbeth High Street, Digbeth B5 6DY
How long should it take me to travel between the venues?
Main venues: it will take approx 8 minutes to walk between our two main venues, O2 Institute and XOYO this year.
Workshops and talks off site: it will take approx 5 minutes to walk between XOYO and Eastside Projects, 10 minutes to walk between O2 institute and Eastside Projects, and 7 minutes to walk between O2 Institute to Centrala, and 9 minutes to walk between XOYO and Centrala.
Are bags allowed in venues?
Yes, but please be aware that bags will need to be checked each time you enter a venue. Checks will take place by security teams who are supporting each venue.
You cannot enter the venue with your own drinks, reuseable Supersonic cups will be allowed but only if they are empty, and whilst drinking water will be available, we ask that you only enter the venue with empty water bottles.
IMPORTANT: Please note our partner venue O2 Institute have a strict bag size policy in place, and there will be no available cloakroom at this venue. One small bag per person is permitted, and it must not be bigger than A4 size: Height: 29.7cm // Width: 21cm // Depth: 15cm. Larger bags – including rucksacks – are not allowed and would need to be stored in the festival cloakroom at XOYO. More information can be found here: FAQs | O2 Institute Birmingham (academymusicgroup.com)
Will there be a cloakroom available?
Yes, we will have a cloakroom open all weekend at XOYO (formerly The Mill), 29 Lower Trinity Street, Birmingham B9 4AG. Whilst we urge you not to bring excessive luggage / large bags with you on site, we also realise that storage over the weekend is useful.
What security measures are in place across the site?
PRP will manage all security at XOYO, whilst our partner venue the O2 Institute provide their own. As well as bag checks, O2 Institute security staff will be required to search festival attendees every time you enter the venue. We ask that you cooperate fully with their security checks ensuring safe venues and quick moving queues.
Will there be a branded, reuseable cup on sale again this year?
Yes! We have designed another stunning drinking vessel, available to buy for £2 at bars across XOYO site. Please reuse them over the weekend and then take them home and keep as a souvenir.
IMPORTANT: Whilst you can take these (empty) in and out of venues, please note the O2 Institute bars will need to pour into their own recyclable cups.
Please don’t try and walk between venues with drinks in the cups. Carrying drinks between venues is not permitted.
Can alcoholic drinks bought at the festival be taken between venues?
No. Due to pre-existing licensing laws within the Digbeth area, no alcoholic drinks may be carried between venues. We ask that you bear this in mind throughout the weekend and also that you cooperate with our door staff who will be upholding this ruling on our behalf.
Will earplugs be available at venues?
Whilst we always encourage audiences to bring their own re-useable ear protection, we will be providing ear plugs that are suitable for temporary use. These will be free of charge and available on our box office and at bars.
Can children come on site?
No. This year, due to a change of venue, no children will be allowed on site and our event will be for those who are aged 18 years+ only.
Whilst our site is largely accessible, there are some areas of XOYO that are currently only accessible via steps. Please see our Access Statement which we update regularly. In the meantime for specific access enquiries about XOYO, please contact: [email protected] and for general enquiries about access to the festival as a whole please contact [email protected]
Do you provide PA / Companion tickets?
Yes! Complimentary PA / Companion Tickets are available for any one who has purchased a regular ticket. To obtain one, once you have purchased your ticket(s) please write to [email protected] with ‘PA / Companion Ticket Required – Supersonic Festival 2024’ in the subject line, and include your name, the name and email address of the companion (if possible), and the purchased ticket reference number. We will then get back to you with your additional PA / Companion ticket ASAP.
Can I bring my own alcohol?
No. Only alcohol purchased on site may be consumed on site. Bag searches will be in operation throughout the entire weekend at both venues and bringing alcohol on to our site will not be permitted.
What is Challenge 25?
We are required to operate Challenge 25: anyone that our bar staff 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 fantastic variety of traders selling food in the yard at XOYO, plus a tea bar selling hot drinks and cake. Samosas will also be on sale at the tea bar and select XOYO bars. We will ensure there is always a good selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. A full roster of mouth-watering food traders will be announced nearer the festival.
Will merchandise be available to buy?
Yes! Head to the Market Place where you will find a fine range of Supersonic Festival 2024 merchandise on sale all weekend, as well as an excellent array of stall holders selling there wares there too.
Will those artists who are performing at the festival be selling their merchandise?
Yes! All artists performing across the festival will be invited to sell their merchandise at XOYO. This will be in / around the Market Place too and will be sold on the days that the artists are performing. Please keep an eye on social media for any updates about this, including any particular selling times.
Can I apply to Volunteer?
Our 2024 Volunteer Application process is now closed, however if you would still like to be considered for volunteering this year, please write to us via [email protected] as we may need some additional help closer to the time.
Do you accept cash payments on site?
Yes! 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*
*This information is correct at the time pf publishing but please do double check charges / opening times as they may vary.
Can I smoke / vape on site?
Normal smoking / vaping rules apply: you can smoke in any outdoor area on site, you cannot smoke / vape inside any enclosed public buildings and / or spaces.
What nearby parking options are there?
The majority of Digbeth street parking is now for permit holders only. There are a few nearby car park options* – but not all have available / obvious disabled spaces:
Trinity Street Car Park, Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham B9 4AL / 24 hour parking
High Street Digbeth Public Car Park, Oxford Street, B5 6DY / 24 hour parking
Coventry Street Car Park, Meriden Street, B5 5LY / 24 hour parking
We have the following recommended accommodation options for you, please direct any enquiries about this directly to the accommodation providers themselves…
SUPER CLOSE & FRIENDLY. IDEAL IF YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN – Birmingham Backpackers
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 travelling alone.
A 10% discount for all festival attendees is available on their website using the promo code ‘supersonic2024’. The promotion is applicable to all available room types between Wed 28 Aug – Tues 3 Sep and have a fully refundable 24 hours cancellation policy.
A CLOSE & COMFORTABLE STAY. IDEAL IF YOU’RE IN A GROUP – Aparthotel Adagio
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 0121 399 0500.
A GREAT MID-RANGE OPTION IN THE CITY CENTRE – IBIS New Street
0.5 miles from the festival
Arcadian Centre, 21 Ladywell Walk, Birmingham B5 4ST. Tel 0121 619 9000
IBIS New Street is a 17-minute walk from the festival or just a 7-minute drive. They offer free Wi-fi, a healthy hot buffet breakfast and on-site private parking. This economy hotel is located a short distance from Birmingham New Street and in the heart of Birmingham’s Chinatown – neighbour to bars, clubs, and restaurants.
AFFORDABLE STAY IN THE CITY CENTRE – IBIS Budget
0.7 miles from the festival
1 Great Colmore Street, B15 2AP. Tel 0121 622 7575
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 £204 for the three nights. To book email: [email protected] and quote #483766
PLEASE NOTE: We were notified on Sunday 5 August that unfortunately Staying Cool, Rotunda has now closed for business. Anyone with a booking there should have now been contacted regarding a refund.
Volunteers
Photo by Ewan Williamson
Volunteer Applications for Supersonic 2024 have now closed!
If you would like to ask us any questions, or are still keen to help out at the festival, please write to [email protected] as we may need some additional help closer to the time.
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 Liaison
Box Office
Hospitality
Site Set up
Merch
Promotion
You must be able to volunteer for all three days of the festival and will work up to 16 hours (spread over the weekend).
Volunteers must be over 18 years old.
Application deadline: Monday 24th June.
Reference: Once the deadline has passed, we will source references for all first-time volunteers before we can confirm your place.
Deposit: All volunteers are required tosubmit a £50 deposit by August 1st (unless you are unable to do so and have contacted us beforehand). This will be returned in FULL the week after the festival. We’ll be in touch about this in July.
Rota: You will be emailed your shifts two weeks before the festival.
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.
Festival Accessibility
Our work is dominated by the desire to explore and champion the outer edges of new and experimental cultural practice, particularly experimental music. This desire however has been equaled by our aspiration to bring such work to as diverse and large an audience as it merits. Rather than simply pursue experimentation as an esoteric adventure, we see this work as something that can surprise, delight and touch people.
Whilst our site is largely accessible, there are some areas of XOYO that are currently only accessible via steps. We will be updating our Access Statement as required, however for any specific access enquiries about XOYO please contact: [email protected] and for general enquiries about access to the festival as a whole please contact [email protected]
WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY
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 2024.
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 2024 – Press Accreditation request’.
