Skiddle Venue Spotlight: IVW Special
To celebrate the incoming Independent Venue Week we thought we'd put the spotlight on some of our Skiddle favourites.
Last updated: 17th Jan 2022
Originally published: 14th Jan 2022
Independent Venue Week is happening this year from Monday 31st January to Sunday 6th February and to celebrate we thought we would highlight some of the best independent venues from across the country that have some upcoming events on Skiddle. These cultural institutions need your help now more than ever so get yourself down to a gig as soon as you can.
Live music is an incredible experience, no show is ever the same, you get to be closer than ever before to the songs that you love and you spend time with your best friends. It's about making memories that you won't forget and feeling a sense of community. This is what independent venues offer and we should do our best to support them.
Click on the titles for even more information on each venue.
Upcoming events: Jelani Blackman, This is TMRW All Dayer, Porridge Radio
The Hare and Hounds is a Birmingham institution, dating all the way back to 1907 the pub is a beautiful Grade II listed building. Since the 2000s the venue has had an extra lease of life after it began to host live music shows, so much so to the point that it has become a must for any indie band heading through Birmingham.
Alt-J, Ed Sheeran, George Ezra and many more have played this venue and a lot more names in the future will have played at the Hare and Hounds.
Find tickets for events at the Hare and Hounds here.
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Upcoming events: Deptford Northern Soul Club, Yves Tumor, Current Joys
YES may be one of the youngest venues on the list but it is no less important. Popping up in Manchester in 2018, the venue has four different floors to choose from. There's the basement where you can find all the newest bands in a tight surrounding. The main bar, where you can catch up with friends and enjoy some immaculate street food.
The third floor is the pink room which is where you'll find your more established acts and finally, there's the rooftop terrace, a gorgeous space with another bar where you can enjoy your drink amongst a bustling hub of people. It's a pretty special place for live music fans.
Find tickets for events at YES here.
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Photo credit: Invisible Wind Factory (Facebook)
Upcoming events: IVW- Rollerdome, Franky Wah, The Mysterines
In 2016, The Kazimier took over a disused factory in Liverpool and completely transformed it. Calling it a 'cultural theme park of the future', you can see why. With bright light displays found throughout and some seriously impressive architecture, the first time you walk in will blow your socks off.
No wonder it's been found to be the perfect place for real entertainers to take to the stage from anthemic bands to the constant flash of lights during raves.
Find tickets for Invisible Wind Factory here.
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Upcoming events: The Districts, Japanese Breakfast, Whyte Horses
Brudenell Social Club in Leeds is easily one of the best independent venues in the country. With two separate stages and with something going on every night, it is a constant hive of musical activity that brings in artists from all across the world. With amazing food and a brilliant selection of drinks, you can't go wrong with a night out here.
Find tickets for events at Brudenell Social Club here.
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Upcoming events: The Parrots, Department S Presents The K's, Home Counties
The Louisiana is a 140-capacity venue in Bristol that takes pride in carefully selecting the artists that they bring to their venue. Family-run, they've been putting on gigs since 1996 and haven't looked back since, bringing in names such as Placebo and Super Furry Animals to play, to pick just a couple of names from a long list.
With an emphasis on always giving local bands a leg up too, expect to see plenty of Bristols own headline the stage here.
Find tickets for events at The Louisiana here.
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Upcoming events: Tertia May, A Night of Neo Soul, The Fatback Band
The Jazz Cafe is one of London's best and most iconic independent venues. It is a completely unique space that showcases jazz, funk, soul and similar genres. Whether you're viewing from the balcony or below right next to the stage, it's the rare type of venue where no matter where you are that connection with the artist and the rest of the room is felt throughout.
Find tickets for events at The Jazz Cafe here.
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Upcoming events: Miles Kane, Twin Atlantic Acoustic, Liverpool Soul Weekender
Phase One is an offshoot of the Jacaranda Record Store, Liverpool's largest vinyl record store. Relaunching in 2021, the two places are now one, so you can browse all the vinyl you want before heading to the venue area to see some amazing live music. Often having special acoustic sets from industry legends, there aren't many dull moments here.
Find tickets for events at Phase One here.
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Upcoming events: Chameleons, Shooter Jennings, Grey Tapes
The Cluny, based in Newcastle is split into two different performance areas. You have the bigger 300 capacity area for your bigger names and a smaller 180 capacity space. It is a vital venue for local artists wanting to cut their teeth for the first time, hoping to elevate themselves from one room to the other, Definitely consider The Cluny if you want to see a gig in Newcastle.
Find tickets for events at The Cluny here.
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Upcoming events: Brixton Winter Carnival, Denis Sulta, The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show
Electric Brixton is a multi-purpose that can put on all kinds of events from gigs to raves and at exhibitions. The amount of sounds that have come from this venue is astonishing. With a large venue space that gives you perfect sightlines from any place you're standing, even in a crowd of 1500, you'll feel well at home.
Find tickets for events at Electric Brixton here.
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Upcoming events: Jaws The Shark, Orchards, Coach Party
The Sunflower Lounge is Birmingham's answer New York dive bars. Since 2002, this has been a go-to place in the city to discover the very best in underground music. So many amazing names such as Foals, Dua Lipa, Wolf Alice and Royal Blood have all been through these doors and many more incredible bands will in the future.
Find tickets for events at The Sunflower Lounge here.
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Upcoming events: Cynt, Big In 2022, The Skinner Brothers
Clwb Ifor Bach is the best venue in Cardiff. Instantly recognisable from the huge mural painted on the site, you can't miss it. The venue itself has two different stages which means that the entire place can be rocking on any particular night. Originally established in 1983, the venue has become essential for music and culture in the city.
It takes pride in booking plenty of Welsh language talent from across the country as well as plenty of exciting artists from all genres.
Find tickets for events at Clwb Ifor Bach here.
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Upcoming events: Deco, Teenage Fanclub, The Bootleg Beatles
The Leadmill has been around for years, opening up in 1980, it has led to a rich history of live music. Voted as Sheffield's best venue on numerous occasions, it runs over 100 gigs a year and has become one of the UK's most essential independent venues. Artists such as Pulp, The Strokes, The White Stripes and Arctic Monkeys have all played here.
Find tickets for events at The Leadmill here.
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Upcoming events: Blue Bendy, International Teachers Of Pop, Flyying Colours
Recently Night and Day Cafe was in the news as they'd become victims of a noise complaint. It was incredibly irritating that a venue that has been a mainstay in Manchester's Northern Quarter could suddenly become the victim of such a complaint. One solution would maybe be to not move next to a music venue?
It just goes to show the ridiculous obstacles independent venues face. The Night and Day Cafe is a key venue in the city for upcoming artists, where the atmosphere is always fantastic and you always feel welcome.
Find tickets for events at Night and Day Cafe here.
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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more 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.
