Café by day and events venue by night, HeyBrew Espresso in Selly Oak swaps their coffees for cocktails and invites local musicians in to create what we at Redbrick Music think is the ideal Friday evening.

The tables and chairs in the front section of the café are moved aside to create an intimate performance space underneath twinkling lights and their usual décor of hanging plants and disco balls. It creates a great atmosphere to enjoy local indie musicians, including up-and-coming talent from fellow UoB students.

In addition to the buzz of new tunes and affordable drinks deals, this event is truly accessible. Whether you already love finding a different gig every weekend or are curious to try something new to kick off your university experience, live music has something for everyone. And whilst many other live music events are increasingly inaccessible due to the cost of living crisis, HeyBrew’s Live Music Fridays are completely free to enjoy, no ticket needed.

The café’s central Bristol Road location means it is right on the doorstep for anyone living in Selly Oak accommodation, such as Metalworks and Jarratt Hall, or a thirty-minute walk through campus from the Vale. You do not have to travel far at all to enjoy yourself at university, certainly not when you are looking for live music.

To keep up to date with upcoming Live Music Fridays, follow HeyBrew on Instagram (@heybrewofficial). Furthermore, it doesn’t hurt to pop in during the day and try something from their spectacular menu.

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