B:Music, the Birmingham-based music charity responsible for Town Hall and Symphony Hall, has announced details of a new collaboration with Abbey Road Studios and its annual Music Photography Awards.

The month-long programme of activity is centered around an exhibition from the winning and shortlisted images from Abbey Road’s 2023 Music Photography Awards, alongside a series of masterclasses, live music, panel discussions and more.

Formed in 2022, the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards champion emerging and undiscovered young photographers and celebrates the unforgettable, unique, and unsung musical moments from the previous year. Ahead of this year’s competition, which launches on 29 May, B:Music will host a month-long exhibition of  the 2023 nominees and winners at Symphony Hall.

Across nine categories, including ‘Live’ and ‘ICON’, as well as ‘Undiscovered’ and ‘Hip Hop 50’, the exhibition will offer a unique opportunity to view the photographs in a distinctive setting. A series of masterclasses and panel talks, led by local, established music photographers and Music Photography Awards alumni will also be running across the month, in addition to special performances from emerging Birmingham-based musicians.

Throughout the month-long residency, B:Music will be presenting performances from local and emerging talent from across the West Midlands, with performances from Credo Kampeta, Ezrae, Aayushi, Sarah Riches and BIMM Birmingham, immersed in the exhibition in the B:Eats café at Symphony Hall and all covering some iconic tracks recorded at Abbey Road in their own unique ways. One of the rounds in the B:Music-supported Nashville Sounds in the Round performance on Monday 20 May will also have an Abbey Road focus. The pinnacle will be on Friday 24 May when the B:Music Talent Development Showcase takes over the regular Free Jazz Fridays slot, and the young photographers from the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards programme will be in attendance to capture the performances – a real chance to show the next generation of musical and creative talent both on and off stage.

To find out more about the programme of activities and how to get involved visit: bmusic.co.uk/abbey-road-studios