Birmingham University Open Day planning. Any thoughts?

[TheConfusedMan]

Hello folks.
I'm trying to plan a trip to see Kasabian at the Birmingham Resorts World Arena (NEC) on the 8th Nov and then Birmingham University Open Day on next day Sat 9th Nov.
Coming from the Isle of Wight by car for most of the journey but then need to (a) stay somewhere and (b) get around over the two days.
And I thought Taylor Swift was complicated.
I don't want to try driving to the Uni, so the plan is to get a hotel on the outskirts than I can (a) stop and park at on the way up (b) easily get a train to/from the Kasabian gig on the Friday and (c) park the car at and get into / back out of Birmingham on the Saturday for the open day.

The only thing that makes sense so far is :

-- Friday afternoon:
Ferry and drive to Balsall Common Premier Inn (Berkswell)
-- Friday evening:
Park at Berkswell Station (free?)
Train from Berkswell Station to Birmingham International
Train back from Birmingham International to Berkswell Station
-- Saturday morming
Park at Berkswell Station (free for entire day?)
Train into New Street
Train to Birmingham Universiry
-- Saturday afternoon
Train back to New Street
Train back to Berkswell Station
-- Saturday evening
Drive back to Southampton ferry

Are there any other approaches that might make sense?

 

[TheTallOne]

Berkswell is free, although not sure how busy it'll be - might need to get there early as others might be planning the same.

Berkswell

Find the latest updates on Berkswell, including station information, live arrivals and departures, as well as cheap ticket options.

www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk

Car park 1 Station Car Park
Car park 1 operator Transport for West Midlands
Car park 1 spaces 87
Car park 1 opening times
Monday to Friday: 24 hours
Saturday: 24 hours
Sunday: 24 hours
Car park 1 charges Free
Car park 1 contact details
URL: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Worst case there's parking at international train station, chargeable but cheaper than NEC itself. Plus probably easier to exit than the NEC car parks.

Have to watch the last trains, have you got enough time to watch the entire gig, walk to the station and get onto a train home?

The trains can obviously be very busy on concert nights. Hopefully everyone gets on the train, but I know in the past sometimes people get left on the platform.

Another option, not sure on costs though, there's a number of hotels on the NEC site - meaning you could walk from the gig to the hotel, no hurry to leave the gig and rush for a train.