What's On in Birmingham

Korn — One of the defining bands of the nu-metal era brings their full, thunderous spectacle to Utilita Arena Birmingham at 6:00pm, and if you've never experienced Korn live, prepare to have your chest rearranged. The sheer scale of the Utilita Arena suits them perfectly — this is a band built for enormity, for crowd singalongs to songs you didn't realise you knew every word of. Check the website for tickets, and go in with your expectations set to maximum.

Cadbury World - Standard Entry — Opening at 10:00am, Cadbury World is one of those genuinely wonderful Birmingham institutions that locals take for granted and visitors absolutely adore — and honestly, both groups should be visiting more often. It is part chocolate history, part interactive wonderland, and entirely delicious, making it an ideal half-term morning for families, curious adults, or anyone who believes chocolate is a legitimate cultural pursuit. Check the website for tickets and prepare to leave smelling faintly of cocoa.

Deaf Havana - Fools & Worthless Liars — Deaf Havana are marking the anniversary of their beloved album 'Fools and Worthless Liars' with a full performance at the O2 Institute Birmingham at 7:00pm, and for fans of melodic, emotionally intelligent rock this is genuinely the stuff of dreams. The O2 Institute has an atmosphere that wraps around you — close enough to feel every note, big enough to lose yourself in the crowd. Check the website for tickets before this one disappears entirely.

Upstairs at Cherry Reds - Dave Sear Quartet — For something altogether more intimate and soul-warming, the Dave Sear Quartet takes to the upstairs room at Cherry Reds Birmingham City Centre at 7:30pm for an evening of live jazz that costs just £5 to £7. Cherry Reds is the kind of cosy, welcoming spot where the music feels personal, the drinks are good, and the evening somehow lasts exactly as long as you need it to. A quiet gem of a midweek night out.

Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand-Up Years — Mark Thomas is one of Britain's sharpest, most fearless stand-up comedians, and 40 years into his career he is still doing it better than almost anyone else on the circuit. This show at the Glee Club at 7:45pm is as much a celebration as it is a masterclass in politically-charged, laugh-out-loud comedy — expect wit, warmth, and more than a little righteous fury. Check the website for tickets, and treat yourself to an evening with a genuine British original.

Birmingham Improv Comedy Jam (ft. Box of Frogs) — If unscripted, spontaneous, anything-could-happen comedy is more your speed, then 1000 Trades at 7:30pm is the place to be, with the Birmingham Improv Comedy Jam bringing the always-brilliant Box of Frogs along for the ride. Improv nights like this are unpredictable in the very best sense — the audience becomes part of the show, and no two performances are ever the same. Check the website for tickets and come ready to laugh at something that has never existed before and never will again.