How to find the best events happening in 2023

Have any new year’s resolutions for 2023? Maybe you want to exercise more, eat healthier, or take up a new hobby. Us? We want to have more fun than ever before! 

We’re going to have an unreal year by going to more events and sharing dances, laughs, feel-good vibes, and a few too many drinks with all our favourite people. Fancy joining us on this journey? We thought you might…

But before we do our makeup on the floor, invite our mates over for pres, and get on our daftest behaviour, we need to find the best events. We need to know where to find the crazy, sweaty, underground raves, intimate gigs in the best venues, and all the other serotonin-boosting, smile-inducing events that’ll make 2023 the best. 

Lucky for you, we’re experts in this kind of thing. So we’re going to give you the knowledge you need to find the best events and leave boring weekends in 2022. Let’s go. 

Check out the posters at your local record shop 

Photo: Anastasia Saldatava / Unsplash.com 

If you’ve been to one of your local record shops recently, you’ll probably have noticed the walls are adorned with posters for killer events. Some will be for tiny artists you’ve never heard of, some will be for mammoth-sized events like festivals and Warehouse Project. Either way, you’re bound to come across something you won’t have heard of before.

Some record shops also target certain genres. So if you’re a fan of electronic tunes, head to an electronic-focused vinyl shop for electronic events. Simple. 

Sign up for artist mailing lists 

Photo: Solen Feyissa / Unplash.com 

Is there a specific artist (or a few artists) you want to see in 2023? Head over to their website and sign up for their mailing list! You might even get access to presales, so you have a better chance of securing your place when tickets for their events go on sale. 

Check out websites and apps artists use to promote events 

Photo: Sara Kurfeß / Unsplash.com 

Songkick, for example, is an excellent platform that’ll help you find all the best local gigs. Even the artist's pages on Spotify will tell you about their upcoming performances. Keep an eye on your favourite artist's pages to keep up to date with their next performances. 

Download Skiddle

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From metal to reggae, techno to house, classical to neo-soul-breakbeat-grime-jazz fusion, you can find it all and more on the Skiddle app. And even if you aren’t in the mood for music, there are plenty of lifestyle events on there, like sporting events, brunches, family days out, comedy, artsy stuff, and so much more. Get straight to the app store!

Use social media

Photo: dole777 / Unsplash.com 

Everything’s on social media nowadays. So open whatever app you use most and follow your favourite artists, venues, promoters, and brands, and turn your notifications on to keep your finger on the pulse. If you’re a fan of electronic tunes, Skrillex, Fred again.., and Four Tet used socials recently to pack out secret London shows, and they looked mega. 

And while you’re on your follow spree, follow Skiddle too! We’re always posting about the hottest events across the UK. 

Talk to people!

Photo: Edoardo Tommasini / Pexels.com 

No one knows better about where the next best DnB rave is than a DnB head at a rave, do they? The next time you’re out, get chatting, make some mates, and ask if they know of any cool events coming up. If nothing else, you might make a new rave buddy. Or, you might be told about some killer events that flew under your radar. 

But don’t just chat with other music fans, see if you can scope out promoters too. If you’ve been to five events put on by the same promoters, they’ll be able to tell you where to find similar events and let you know about any future ones they plan on putting on. If you follow them on socials, they’ll most likely be sharing other promoters' events so you can have a little browse. 

Check back on Skiddle’s news page 

With our blog features like Last Chance To Dance and New On Skiddle, you can always keep your fingers firmly on the pulse as we nod to some of the hottest events of the year. And trust us, we know what’s popping! 

Click or tap here to see all Skiddle news  

Read music-focused mags 

Photo: Crack Magazine / Instagram.com

Magazines like DJ Mag, Crack, and So Young usually have gig listings in them. You might just find your new favourite band hidden in a random magazine's gig listing! 

Scan QR codes in your city’s “cool” area 

Photo: Ambitious Creative Co. - Rick Barrett / Unsplash.com 

Most cities have a “cool” area. In Manchester, it’s probably the Northern Quarter. In London, it’s probably Camden. Usually, if you have a look around some alleys, maybe on a few lamposts or those electricity box things on the street, there’ll be sticker QR codes on them. 

They aren’t always events, sometimes it's a clothing brand or SoundCloud rapper’s hottest new tune, but sometimes they’re used to advertise cool underground raves. Be careful though, as you have no idea what will come up once you scan the code. If you have a spare phone you don’t care about, it’s probably best to use that to stay safe. 

This year, we’re going hard. We’re sacking off social media and binge-watching shows we’ve already seen a million times and filling our free time switch fun, laughs, and dancing until the sun rises. With this advice, we’re sure we’ll see you all right at the front of the best events of 2023. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

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