Rock Collective Groups
Love rock? Come and play it with us.
Join a live band, sing or play great songs and experience the buzz of making music.
Our Rock Collectives bring singers and musicians together to play rock music in a relaxed, welcoming environment. You don’t need to audition, and you don’t need to read traditional music notation.
Different abilities welcome. Your first session is free.
We have a range of membership options, including fully and part-supported places for those who would otherwise find it difficult to take part.
A community band for people who love rock
Rock Collectives are about making music rather than sitting through a music lesson.
You’ll spend your sessions singing and/or playing songs together, developing your skills and hearing the music come to life as the band gets into its stride.
Some members have been playing for years. Some are returning after a long break or developing their confidence as they go. Others are at the beginning of their musical journey.
Our experienced music leaders help musicians with different levels of experience play together.
What matters most is that you want to make music.
See what Rock Collective is like
Wondering what happens when you walk through the door?
Have a look.
Inside a session
See a Rock Collective rehearsing, working on songs and making music together.
On stage
Rock Collectives also have opportunities to take their music beyond the rehearsal room.
Play the music you love
Our Rock Collectives play music spanning the decades, from classic rock to more recent favourites.
Think artists such as The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Green Day and Foo Fighters, alongside plenty of other songs chosen for the groups. You will also have the opportunity to put forward suggestions.
You’ll work on songs together with guidance from your music leader, using chord and song sheets and learning by ear.
Bring your instrument. Join the band. Create great music together.
You don’t need to read traditional music notation
Rock Collectives are a great option if you enjoy learning by ear or don’t read traditional music notation.
We use song sheets, chords and guidance from the music leader to help everyone learn and play together.
And if you come from a more traditionally trained musical background, it’s also an opportunity to develop different skills, including playing by ear, improvising and becoming more confident playing without written notation.
Who can join?
Rock Collectives are for adults aged 18+ who want to make rock music with other people.
There are no auditions and members have different levels of musical experience.
You might be:
Returning to an instrument or singing after years away
Someone who has never tried singing or playing music before
Developing your skills
An experienced musician looking for people to play with
Used to classical or traditional music and keen to try something different
A singer looking for a live band
Simply someone who loves rock and wants to make more music
You don’t need to arrive as a polished musician.
You just need enough familiarity with your instrument to be able to take part and a willingness to get involved.
Do I need to read music?
You’ll need to be able to read some traditional music notation or Guitar TAB to take part in our orchestral groups.
You don’t need to be an expert sight-reader. The important thing is having enough familiarity with written music to follow and work on your part.
If you prefer playing from chord sheets or by ear, one of our Rock Collectives may suit you better.
From rehearsal to stage
There’s nothing quite like playing music live with other people.
As well as regular Rock Collective sessions, there can be opportunities throughout the year to take part in rock gigs, concerts, special projects and collaborative performances.
Some bring together musicians from several Misfits Music groups. Others give individual Rock Collectives the chance to take their music out into the community.
You don’t need to arrive thinking of yourself as a performer. You can build your confidence with the group and decide which opportunities are right for you.
Find your Rock Collective
We have Rock Collectives across Birmingham and The Black Country.
Choose the location and time that works best for you,
then come and try your first session free.
Bearwood Rock Collective
Tuesday evenings | 7.15–8.45pm | Bearwood
Make music with our friendly evening Rock Collective in Bearwood.
More about the Bearwood Rock Collective
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Tuesday, 7.15–8.45pm during term time.
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Thimblemill Library
Thimblemill Road
Smethwick
B67 5RJ -
Rodrigo is an Argentinian composer, songwriter and guitarist with a Degree in Musical Arts and experience teaching music at university level.
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On-street parking is located on Thimblemill Road; the library does not have dedicated off-street parking. The free on-street parking along Thimblemill Road and adjacent side streets near the Stanhope Road and Norman Road roundabout has limited availability.
Local bus routes servicing the immediate area include the 12/12A, 22, and 54/54A. -
Thimblemill Library is fully accessible for disabled visitors, featuring wheelchair access throughout all areas and accessible toilets
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Bring your instrument, any equipment you normally need (eg. music stand) and your music.
Singers do not need to bring equipment.
We’ll let you know what the group is working on and what you’ll need before your first session.
Moseley Rock Collective
Monday evenings | 7.15–8.45pm | Moseley
Spend your Monday evening making rock music with a friendly community band in Moseley.
More about the Moseley Rock Collective
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Mondays, 7.15–8.45pm during term time.
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The Moseley Exchange
149–153 Alcester Road
Moseley
Birmingham
B13 8JP -
Rodrigo is an Argentinian composer, songwriter and guitarist with a Degree in Musical Arts and experience teaching music at university level.
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There is no dedicated on-site car park at the Moseley Exchange but a public council car park (Moseley Village Car Park) sits directly opposite the courtyard entrance or there is on-street parking in the surrounding area.
Bus Routes: Route 50 & 50a - Frequent direct services running between the Maypole/Druids Heath and Birmingham city centre, stopping right on Alcester Road near the village.
Route 35 - Connects Ridgemount Drive and surrounding areas to the city centre via Moseley.
Route 1 - Runs locally between St James Rd and other regional points.Moseley Village Train Station - Located a very short walk from the Moseley Exchange, providing direct rail connections along the restored Camp Hill Line.
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The Moseley Exchange features full wheelchair and disabled access, including a passenger lift to the first-floor.
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Bring your instrument, any equipment you normally need (eg. music stand) and your music.
We’ll let you know what the group is working on and what you’ll need before your first session.
Northfield Rock Collective
Alternate Wednesday mornings | 9.45–11.15am | Northfield
Start your day with live music, good company and the relaxed Breakfast Jam atmosphere.
More about the Northfield Rock Collective
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Alternate Wednesday mornings, 9.45–11.15am during term time.
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NAF Northfield Arts Forum Shop
11 Church Rd, Northfield,
Birmingham
B31 2JY -
Northfield has its own Breakfast Jam feel, with tea, coffee and breakfast snacks alongside the music session.
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Rodrigo is an Argentinian composer, songwriter and guitarist with a Degree in Musical Arts and experience teaching music at university level.
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The closest parking is located in Northfield Shopping Centre (Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2JU) You will need to pay for parking via the payment machines or using the app JustPark using the code 10070213.
Tariffs: up to 3hrs parking = £1.20, up to 4hrs parking = £1.40
Local bus routes include 18, 61, 63 -
You can request accessible access via the email address hello@misfitsmusic.org.uk - we will then be able to ensure the ramp is in place.
The Northfield Shopping Centre carpark has dedicated disabled parking spaces positioned near the primary lift.
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Bring your instrument, any equipment you normally need (eg. music stand) and your music.
Singers do not need to bring equipment.
We’ll let you know what the group is working on and what you’ll need before your first session.
Tipton Rock Collective
Monday evenings | 7.15–8.45pm | Tipton
Join singers and musicians making rock music together in Tipton.
More about the Tipton Rock Collective
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Mondays, 7.15–8.45pm during term time.
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NAF Northfield Arts Forum Shop
11 Church Rd, Northfield,
Birmingham
B31 2JY -
Alex
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Parking is available in nearby council-run town centre car parks and local retail spaces. The closest car park is Whitehall Road Car Park, 266 Whitehall Rd, Tipton DY4 7EX, roughly a 3-minute walk away, which offers 33 spaces - you will need the parking app PayByPhone.
The closest municipal car park is the Great Bridge Town Centre Car Park located at Market Place (DY4 7AR), roughly a 6-minute walk away, which offers over 100 spaces with standard council tariffs.
The bus route number 42 runs between West Bromwich and Tipton via Great Bridge and Sheepwash Lane. -
Accessible toilets, Guide dogs permitted, ramp and level access, wheelchair accessible.
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Bring your instrument, any equipment you normally need (eg. music stand) and your music.
Singers do not need to bring equipment.
We’ll let you know what the group is working on and what you’ll need before your first session.
SVI Rocks
Wednesday mornings fortnightly during term time | 10am–12pm | West Bromwich
Rock music-making for blind and visually impaired musicians in partnership with Sandwell Visually Impaired (SVI). We bring singers and instrumentalists of different abilities together to make music, build confidence and enjoy being part of a band. Music is adapted to make it accessible for people with visual impairments.
Thanks to a special grant from our funding partner, SVI Rocks is fully funded so members never need to pay to join.
More about SVI Rocks
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Wednesday mornings, 10am - 12pm fortnightly during term time.
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West Bromwich Town Hall
High Street
West Bromwich
B70 8DY -
The group explores a wide range of music spanning different genres and cultures, alongside new commissions.
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Sessions are led by Rod working with Sarah-Ann, who provides the accessibility link between Misfits Music and Sandwell Visually Impaired.
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No. SVI Rocks welcomes singers and instrumentalists with different levels of experience.
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You can bring your own instrument or we may be able to help you source an instrument if you do not have their own.
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Find out more about how to get here by contacting info@sandwellvisuallyimpaired.org.uk.
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Accessible toilets, Guide dogs permitted, ramp and level access, wheelchair accessible.
Meet your group leaders
Rodrigo
Rod is an Argentinian composer, songwriter and guitarist with a Degree in Musical Arts and experience teaching music at university level.
Alex
What should I bring?
If you’re playing an instrument, bring your own instrument and any amp or equipment you normally need. If you’re a singer, you generally just need to bring yourself.
We’ll let you know what music the group is working on and what you need before your first session.
If you’re unable to print music at home, let us know and we can help.
Don’t have an instrument yet?
If you don’t currently have an instrument, please get in touch. We may be able to help you source a suitable instrument, and, if necessary, you could also apply to have one provided through our instrument support scheme.
How much does it cost?
Your first session is free, so you can experience an orchestral group before deciding whether you’d like to continue.
After your trial, you can choose from our available membership and payment options.
Need help with the cost?
A limited number of fully supported and part-supported places are available for people who would otherwise find it difficult to take part.
You’ll need to apply for a supported place, and we’ll explain what information we need and what happens next.
Got questions?
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Yes. Lots of musicians return to an instrument after a break.
Because parts are available at different levels, you can choose something manageable while you rebuild your confidence and get used to playing with other people again.
Your first session is free, so you can experience the group before deciding whether you’d like to continue.
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You don’t need to be an expert, but you might be!
It helps if you’re familiar enough with your instrument to take part in a group but people join with different levels of experience and our music leaders help everyone work together.
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No. Rock Collectives use song sheets, chords and playing by ear, so traditional music-reading isn’t required.
If you do read music, the sessions can be a great opportunity to develop your ear, improvisation and confidence playing in a different way.
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Rock Collectives can include instruments such as guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, saxophone and other instruments that work within the band.
If you play something less typical and aren’t sure whether it will work, get in touch and we can advise you.
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Absolutely. Rock Collectives bring instrumentalists and singers together to create the sound of a live band.
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Absolutely. Lots of people join a new activity without knowing anyone else there.
You already have one thing in common with everyone in the room: you enjoy making music. And, we’ll help you settle into the group.
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Choose the group you’d like to try and book your place.
We’ll send you the practical information and music you need before your first session.
At an in-person session, you’ll meet the music leaders and other musicians, get settled and experience playing with the ensemble.
If you’re taking part online, we’ll send you the Zoom information you need so you can join the rehearsal from home.
There’s no audition and no pressure to make a decision on the spot.
Come along, play and see how it feels.
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There are opportunities to perform and take part in other activities during the year, but this is optional.
We’ll always explain what each opportunity involves so you know what to expect.
Join us this September
Our new term begins w/c 7 September.
Our orchestral groups work on music together as the term progresses. Joining near the beginning means you can learn your part alongside everyone else, settle into the group and have the best possible experience.
Take part in your free first session by 18th September.
After this date, new registrations will close until the next term.
Missed the September joining window?
You haven’t missed out for good.
Our next term begins in January. Join the waiting list and we’ll let you know when bookings open.
Ready to join the band?
You don’t need to audition.
You don’t need to read traditional music notation.
And you don’t need to know whether Rock Collective is for you before you arrive.
Come and find out. Join a free trial session.
We have a range of membership options including fully and part-supported places for those who would otherwise find it difficult to take part.
