For nearly three decades, Punch has been creating spaces where artists, audiences and communities can thrive.
What began as a Black music record store in Birmingham has grown into one of the UK's leading creative development organisations, producing internationally recognised tours, groundbreaking cultural projects and life-changing opportunities for thousands of artists and young people.
We've always believed that music and the arts can do more than entertain. They can connect communities, challenge perceptions, celebrate identity and open doors for people who have too often been overlooked.
Some of Punch's most ambitious work has been created through long-term partnerships with artists, communities, cultural organisations and public institutions.
Together we've produced exhibitions, festivals, commissions, documentaries, public art, conferences and city-wide celebrations that have explored identity, celebrated Black music and culture and amplified stories that deserve to be seen and heard.
From pioneering exhibitions like Bhangra: Birmingham & Beyond and landmark celebrations such as Jamaica Live and LEGACY to contemporary projects including Black New Street, Union Black and Homelands, our partnership work has helped shape conversations about culture, heritage and belonging while reaching audiences across the world.
Alongside these flagship projects sit dozens more collaborations across music, visual arts, photography, dance, film, education and community participation, each created with the same commitment to creativity, equity and impact.
500,000+ Audience
84 Artists Commissioned
3,000+ Artists Supported
30 Years of Creating Culture
22 Documentaries
75+ Tours
18 Talent Programmes
50+ Partnerships
32 Schools Worked With
10 Youth Board Members
£500,000+ given to emerging artists
85% Black and Brown Audiences
partnership project highlights
Shambala Festival
Punch partnered with Shambala Festival to create a once in a life time opportunity, to bring more than 50 emerging artists and creative professionals from the West Midlands to perform and work at the largest independent festival in the UK.
From live performances and DJ sets to photography, radio and digital storytelling, participants gain invaluable industry experience while introducing one of the UK's leading independent festivals to Birmingham's next generation of creative talent.
Black New Street
Created in partnership with CREME at Aston University, Black New Street celebrated the stories, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Black business owners across Birmingham.
Featuring voices including Namywa (Girl Grind UK) and filmmaker Daniel Alexander, the project documented personal journeys while highlighting the cultural and economic contribution of Black-owned businesses to the city.
“Great watch from variety of leaders and role models in throw own right!
More documentaries leading to more workshops and talks to give the next generation not only further insight to opportunities but the realities!”
Legacy
Following the success of the LEGACY documentary, Punch partnered with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to bring Birmingham's hip-hop, grime and rap pioneers to some of the most prestigious stages in the country.
The performance celebrated the artists who shaped the city's music scene while introducing new audiences to orchestral music and presented Black music in a setting that reflected its cultural significance. Following sold-out performances in Birmingham, the production transferred to London, bringing the city's musical legacy to a national audience.
"Legacy" was so much more than a revelation about Birmingham's Grime and Rap scene; it was a masterclass in principles for life and work, community, resilience, authentcity, and mentorship..."
Slanguages
Collaborative arts and research project with University of Oxford and Birmingham City University exploring how diverse communities use and blend different languages including Patois, Urdu, and urban sign language - into music, poetry, and performance.
Rather than focusing on traditional textbook languages, the project explores the collision of global, local and subcultural languages as they evolve in cities like Birmingham
Birchfield Light Night
Birchfield Light Night transformed neighbourhood spaces through light, creativity and community participation.
Working closely with Birchfield Big Local, local residents, artists and community groups, Punch helped co-create an event that celebrated local identity while encouraging participation, creativity and pride within one of Birmingham's most diverse communities.
B-Side Hip-Hop Festival presents Bar4Bar
As part of B-Side Hip Hop Festival, Bar4Bar brought together some of the UK's most exciting underground rappers for a series of professionally produced cyphers.
Created with Birmingham Hippodrome, the project gave emerging artists a platform to showcase their talent while reaching new audiences through high-quality digital content and celebrating the vibrancy of Birmingham's hip-hop scene.
BRIG Race Conferences
Punch works alongside Birmingham Race Impact Group to produce conferences, summits, projects and events exploring race, representation and equity across Birmingham.
Bringing together artists, community leaders, policymakers and organisations, these events create opportunities for meaningful conversations that continue to shape the city's cultural landscape.
Equalize
Equalize was created to address inequalities within the music industry by supporting young creatives to learn and explore Black music and dance genres, genres that often get left out of the curriculum. In partnership with University of Westminster, Young Sounds UK and ACM Birmingham.
Through a residency and industry insight, the programme created new pathways for 40 young people to explore music that they are passionate about.
Into the Industry
Created with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Into the Industry gave young people practical insight into careers across music and the creative industries.
Through workshops and a panel with industry professionals and real-world experiences, the programme inspired participants to develop new skills, build confidence and explore pathways into creative employment.
Bhangra: Birmingham and Beyond
Bhangra: Birmingham and Beyond documented the story of British Bhangra through the world's first dedicated exhibition and accompanying publication.
Celebrating Birmingham's role in shaping one of the UK's most influential musical movements, the project toured nationally and internationally, preserving an important chapter of British music history for future generations.
Write the Future
Working with Meta, Punch launched Write the Future to invest in Birmingham's music scene and support emerging artists with the tools, knowledge and confidence to develop their careers.
The initiative combined creative development with digital skills, helping artists navigate an evolving music industry while strengthening the city's creative ecosystem.
And we’re thankful to have worked with many more partners and artists around the UK including…
It Gets Lighter from Here with Culture Central, Captivated with Birmingham City Council, AC3 Invasion, Strictly Prohibited, Desi Moves, She and Union Black.
And we’re so proud to have commissioned works including Downlow, DOSED, Reworlding, Multiverse, MESSY, Heroes of History, Common Creatives, Tug of War and more.
Taking Birmingham to the World… and bringing the world to birmingham
Over the years we've produced more than 75 UK and international tours, bringing globally recognised artists to audiences while creating platforms for emerging talent to grow.
Our touring work spans intimate grassroots showcases through to internationally celebrated artists, including names such as Amerie and Ayetian, alongside developmental touring initiatives like the Pull Up Tour, helping introduce the next generation of artists to audiences across the country.
Whether presenting established icons or championing tomorrow's headline acts, every tour reflects Punch's commitment to celebrating Black music and supporting artists at every stage of their journey.
→ View our Tours and Events
The impact of Punch reaches far beyond individual events. Every tour, exhibition, commission, programme and partnership contributes to something bigger: a more representative creative sector, stronger communities and greater opportunities for artists to build sustainable careers.
Today our work spans talent development, artistic programming, music distribution, international touring, community participation, cultural partnerships and creative commissions.
The projects may change, but the ambition remains the same… To transform lives through music.
