Brum SoundTracks is the next phase of our Brum AR prototype. The original prototype offered visitors an immersive journey through Birmingham’s key music landmarks, and we were thrilled when additional funding enabled BOM and Jez Collins (Birmingham Music Archive) to develop it further.
Brum Sound Tracks is a free, interactive mobile app that brings Birmingham’s music heritage to life through a location-based digital experience. Users explore the city by visiting key sites where they can unlock stories, archival material, and audio-visual content linked to Birmingham’s diverse music history.
What we did
Evolving from Brum AR to Brum SoundTracks, the app has been updated and redeveloped for music lovers, keen to learn about Birmingham’s unique and diverse music history. It has an updated look, feel and experience with a new focus on 33 music venues in the city.
Tapping into Jez Collin’s musical expertise, we incorporated him within the experience to form part of the interactive AR experience where he introduces each venue. Alongside the AR introduction, users can also explore archive material from each venue, exploring ticket stubs to photographs.
The project delivered the design, development, and publication of the app across iOS and Android platforms in partnership with Birmingham Music Archive. It combines geolocation, mobile interaction, and curated archive content to create an accessible and engaging cultural trail.
Launched in March 2026, the app provides a new digital cultural asset that enhances Birmingham’s tourism offer by improving access to heritage, encouraging exploration of physical locations, and supporting engagement with venues and communities across the city.
Impact
The project has improved the experience of existing spaces and enhances visitor welcome and interpretation by providing accessible, mobile-based information, storytelling and audio-visual content and enhances Birmingham’s cultural spaces. The app has been downloaded to over 370 devices and continues to be downloaded by music and city lovers alike.
ClientDeveloped by BOM in collaboration with Jez Collins from Birmingham Music Archive. This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.ServicesApp Development, 3D Modelling Animation, GeoSpatial AR (ARCore + Google Maps), UnityYear2026Linkbom.org.uk
