Guitar Heroes with Live Orchestra
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- Date night
- First-timer friendly
- Early finish
- Date
- Sat, 27 Feb 2027
- Time
- 19:00 · 2h 0m
- Venue
- Symphony Hall, Birmingham
- City
- Birmingham
- Conductor
- Stephen Bell
- Tickets
- from £27.5
You'll be taken to the ensemble's official site.
Summary
Stephen Bell conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, vocalists, and guitarists in a programme of rock and blues hits at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.
Why it's fantastic
Hear rock legends like Black Sabbath and Hendrix reimagined through the power of a full symphony orchestra. This two-hour set ditches the traditional repertoire for heavy riffs and soaring solos, making it an ideal choice if you prefer electric guitars and high energy over standard classical formality.
Our guide to this performance
What you'll hear
We are looking at an evening where the volume is turned up and the boundary between a rock stadium and a concert hall is erased. You will hear the familiar, heavy textures of Black Sabbath and Muse expanded by the scale of a full symphony orchestra, alongside the blues-infused lines of Eric Clapton and Joe Bonamassa. The programme is built around iconic riffs and guitar-led anthems, moving from the psychedelic energy of Jimi Hendrix to the melodic grandiosity of Queen and the funk-driven rhythms of Chic. Listen for how the brass and string sections reinforce the distorted power of the electric guitar, providing a cinematic weight to the solos. The performance aims to blend the technical precision of classical musicians with the raw energy of rock and roll, resulting in a wall of sound that honours the original records while offering a completely different acoustic scale.
Who's performing
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is the resident ensemble of this venue, celebrated for their versatility and wide-ranging repertoire that often bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary genres. They are joined by conductor Stephen Bell, who frequently leads cross-over projects of this scale. The vocal elements are provided by Emma Kershaw, Mick Wilson, and Steve Trowell, while the central guitar duties fall to Adam Martin and Alex Voysey. Together, they bring professional rock and pop experience to the orchestral stage, ensuring the technical demands of these famous solos are met with authenticity.
Planning your evening
This performance takes place at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and lasts approximately two hours. Given the high-energy nature of the programme and the presence of amplified instruments, it is an excellent choice if you are visiting a concert hall for the first time or prefer a less formal atmosphere. There is no specific dress code, so you should wear what makes you feel comfortable. The central city location makes the venue easy to access, and the two-hour duration includes the full set of rock and blues classics.
Written by the Bravura editorial team from the ensemble's published programme and venue information. We don't reproduce copy from box-office sites. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Programme
- 01Music by Black Sabbath, Muse, Jimi Hendrix, Guns N Roses, Santana, Eric Clapton, Queen, David Bowie, Joe Bonamassa, Chic and more.
Soloists
- Emma Kershaw vocalist
- Mick Wilson vocalist
- Steve Trowell vocalist
- Adam Martin guitar
- Alex Voysey guitar
