Utilita Arena Birmingham

So i took my 15 year old daughter to see the band of her dreams in Birmingham, and it was the time of our lives 100% I'm disabled, she's autistic, it was a long long way on the train... we dressed up with face paints and the whole shebang, hotel in Broad st, 15 mins away due to my mobility difficulties... we arrived early, and so did the entire UK by the feel of it!! Thousands of people one behind the other going this way and that in all directions, no body at the canal to advise anyone, so we just followed the herd for an hour before we got to someone with a tabard on who told us to where to go. We joined the queue which was actually a serpentine and heading no where so officials eventually created an actual queue and we got to the doors. Low and behold, my ticket wouldn't scan so I had to scrabble through the crowds down steps and find the box office... 20 mins later after the lady frantically punched numbers into the keyboard and charging me another £4 i had paper tickets and had to go back to the doors and apologise to everyone that I wasn't pushing in ... The rest is history. The band were absolutely amazing. The atmosphere was electric. I don't want to give any spoilers but WOW!!! Absolutely on point 🤟 my daughter cried, I cried, the crowds screamed and the whole venue bounced to each beat of the drum and pluck of the bass. The lights &scenery was amazing. ive been to bands in Utilita before but this was quite a something else, this was a brotherhood, a family headed by the mighty papa himself (yes I'm totally getting into the lore now!) It was an amazing unforgettable night, I'll be watching out for their return to the UK with baited breath and might even go for top price next time! Merchandise stands were good, prices reasonable. But ticketmaster and utilita staff need to up their game, there were simply not enough staff to manage the crowds and to provide directions. I asked about access and disabled needs, but sadly nobody had any clue.

Incredible ! So happy I caught them on their anniversary tour ! And the tickets were originally sold out but I was surprised with tickets for my birthday! I went with my dad who has been a massive Slipknot fan for years ! Just wish the seated had more of a vibe instead of just sat down the whole time 🫤

It was genuinely life changing . Everything about it was amazing . The show , the setlist , the outfits, the fans , the interactions . As someone who was saved by ghost when going through some bad times and I’ve been a fan for years now . This is the first time I’ve seen them live of hopefully many more rituals ! I had an interaction with Sodo and I believe papa a few times . It was just such a beautiful experience and I sobbed like I’ve never before throughout and after the show . I thank the fans on the floor for getting me mummy dust and confetti ! I’m glad my sign worked ! Ghost I love you so much and I always will.

OMG!!! what a night .. second time i have seen Ghost now and they just get better and better ... It was also my daughters first gig as she has Autism so getting her to come along was a feat in itself...but some lovely people there helped her relax and by the 2nd song she was smiling.. singing and bopping along with the rest of us...Totally proud dad at that point!! Fantastic Venue... Awesome Fans...(Big shout out to people who spoke and made my daughter feel relaxed.. especially the 2 people handing out home-made wristbands.. they are awesome) and.. What a band live!!! the no-phone policy worked!! everyone was in the moment If you haven't seen them.. and are considering it.. all i can say is GO!!! you wont regret a single second

Absolutely amazing set. Ok so there weee issues getting into the venue which has been reported on other venues too. Not sure why this was - maybe the phone pouch thing or just the size of the numbers but there were still people queuing to get in 10 mins before the scheduled start. Managed to get a tour shirt - £50, a lot of money but what I was expecting to be honest. Queued for 30 mins to get this! The gig itself was superb. Brilliant audio set up, it was ‘basey’ but controlled and you could hear the lyrics and all the instruments. They played about 90 mins ending with a 3 song finale. Had people out of their chairs and begging for more. I just wish I could get tickets for the other shows. It was in a word - excellent.

Teddy was amazing! The best voice live I've ever heard. We were through security and in to the venue really quickly. However, our night was ruined by two individuals that were stood in front of us. They were extremely drunk. Throwing beer, arguing, stumbling and falling over all over the place. I'm all for people having a good time but it was too far. I did try and speak to them nicely to ask them to ve more cautious of their surroundings but I just got abuse back. I was so gutted we had waited for this night in a while (parents who don't get out much) for it just to be spoilt by others. I would love to go and see Teddy again. Hopefully get a different experience

Venue is lovely and central, plenty around to keep you occupied before the event. The staff were all very helpful and friendly, easy and quick to get to bars and merch stands. Janet herself…. Well, I don’t think I have words to describe how fabulous that woman is. She gave a show and a half, taking us through her greatest hits and iconic dance routines. Dancers, stage, lighting - all added to the magic that is Miss Jackson. A wonderful night all round, and an artist I have waited many years to see 🧡

Absolutely fantastic show. She was just like I remember her growing up. Fantastic singer, great figure and great dancer and entertainer. She certainly gave us all a fantastic performance and a night to remember. The whole evening was lovely as met lots of other nice friendly people who where enjoying themselves as much as us. Only complete was the price of a can of wine £10.10 really bit too expensive.

Never been a fan & hadn't noticed they were supporting Simple Minds, so seeing them last night was unexpected. Have to say they really were very good. As with all support bands, the sound wasn't great, but it wasn't any better for the main act. In spite of that, Del Amitri played a really enjoyable set. Always liked their 2 or 3 bigger hits, but pretty much everything they played last night was good. My husband, who likes neither Del Amitri nor Simple Minds & was only there for me, thought DA were much better than SM. I was there for SM but this is probably the best support act I've ever experienced. Would consider seeing them again.

Generally a really great show, but the sound system was terrible. I love a live show & expect it to be loud, especially sitting near the front, but last night was ear-drum shatteringly loud and vocals were extremely muffled, so it was almost impossible to understand what Jim Kerr was singing. Fine, if you know the songs, but there were a few I didn't know. Still, Kerr knows how to work a crowd and it really was a good night. Del Amitri supporting was a good start. Never been a fan but really enjoyed their set.

First time seeing Fall Out Boy live. They’re my day one. Favourite band. My sweet cheese. My good time boy. They’re live performance was incredible! Their latest album has a great sound. Seeing their live performance of new and old art has ignited a passion in me that I haven’t felt in a long time… still suffering from post gig blues.

Musically and visually awesome. A fast, packed set with old and new songs, Travis playing drums up in the air for a few songs, and Tom and Mark joking that the gig was in Manchester. Started off with the Blink smiley being slowly and dramatically lit up to music. Me nearly missing the Bored to Death because the venue shit off the near toilets.

The concert was brilliant! I wasn’t a Busted fan (I only knew their earliest music), but originally booked tickets as I’m a massive Hanson fan and I knew that Hanson were supporting. I thought both bands were brilliant and was really surprised that I enjoyed Busted as much as I did- they put on a great show, we’re fantastic live and I really enjoyed a lot of their music. Hanson were also incredible as always! ❤️ Every member of Utilita Birmingham staff that I saw were smiling, happy, friendly and were very attentive- regularly coming to check that I didn’t need anything (I am a wheelchair user). Thank you all for a fantastic evening, I highly recommend Busted, Hanson and the Utilita Birmingham venue as a whole!

Really great show that was marred initially by a terrible sound system that blasted our ears with a painful and very muffled sound, making it hard to distinguish words. It did improve eventually but my ears have never suffered like that at a concert before. Sound problems aside, Elton was amazing. I was a bit suprised by some of the song choices - "Pinball Wizard" was noticeably missing for example. We were reminded throughout the evening that, apart from Scotland & Glastonbury, this was one of his last ever concerts. Despite a sadness about this, there was a strong sense that we were participating in something historic & I know I'll not forget this wonderful night. The music was amazing and Elton's voice as good and strong, as ever, despite his years. He still knows how to put a show for his fans. Just brilliant.

Brilliant!! First, starting with the support act, Jake Shears who was phenomenal!! Extremely talented and managed to transfer his energy to the public before Duran Duran!! Came Duran Duran who were as good as at the start of their carreer. They played their old tracks as well as a few of their new album! The public was on fire!! It's probably one of my best gig!!

Paramore were amazing! We flew to Dublin from Bulgaria, just to see them and were not disappointed. Hayley was amazing on the stage and took the sound problems like a champ. The venue on the other hand was shitty: No wardrobes in cold weather is just stupid. There was more space for the food quarters than for the fans to watch the show. And the sound was just disgusting, with too much base and huge disbalance between the instruments, overall it was too quiet for the size of the venue. It's a shame cause the fans and the band deserve more.

It started of with much better sound stage in comparison to Evanescence performance. First few songs sounded great - could clearly hear vocals, different drums and guitar riffs. However it started degrading and got to the same poor quality of bass rattling and drowning all other instruments and vocals by the end of the show. At least sound wasn't constantly cutting out like during Evanescence performance

Great gig - awesome playlist of old and new hits. However, the seats at the arena had to be the most uncomfortable I’ve ever experienced and I go to a lot of gigs all over the country. Not enough leg room and I’m not especially tall. My knees were pinned against the back of the seat in front. View was also partially obstructed which was not mentioned when I bought the tickets. Finally, some utter twat kicked and rocked my seat for most of the gig so we ended up moving and standing. No problem with people enjoying the gig and stamping their feet or clapping but at least do it in time to the music! Stereophonics 10/10. Venue 3/10.

Great show- performed some of her older songs as well as the newer hits on the ‘Phoenix’ album, from ‘Body on Me’ to ‘Carry On’. Only downside: the time waiting between Moss Kena (last support act) and Rita Ora to come on stage was 50 mins- as you can imagine, the crowd was growing quite impatient. As a regular concert goer, I do respect perhaps meet and greets happened before the show, and that there is always sufficient time between the artists coming on/leaving the stage, but I felt 50 mins was a little bit excessive. Absolutely recommend though, she was brilliant, amazing vocals, choreography, the lot! So if you haven’t got tickets, get some ASAP!

Wow Barry was brilliant still has a wonderful voice and the song choices great. He always gets a warm welcome here I’ve been a fan 39 yrs. Favourite songs were This is my town and Weekend in New England always puts so much emotion into his songs so passionate about his music. Lively numbers like Copacabana get us up to dance. Mandy my friend thank you and Mark her fella loved it too. Collabro were a good support act too.