Have you heard of Independent Venue Week? Chances are, you have if you’re a big fan of the music scene.
If you haven’t, strap yourselves in, I’m here to tell you more.
Graphic Credit: Independent Venue Week
I think it goes without saying, that without Independent Venue’s, we wouldn’t be able to experience as much live music and arts, there wouldn’t be as many jobs in an already difficult industry and there certainly wouldn’t be enough space to share the passion amongst hundreds, if not thousands of people.
To give you some background, the idea of Independent Venue Week came about in 2013, and was officially born in 2014, with it’s aim of celebrating independent music and arts venues, plus the people that own, run and work in them, for a week, across villages, towns & cities all around the UK and the US.
We’re now in 2026 and it’s still going, with incredible support! To be honest, if that doesn’t tell you that there isn’t a hunger for live music and arts, then I don’t know what will.
That said, it should not overshadow that the industry is still struggling in many areas and needs support more than ever, but celebrations like this, definitely bring people together and highlight it.
I was incredibly lucky to have some time with Sybil Bell, the founder of Independent Venue Week, earlier this week and we had a really good chat about the campaign was born and why supporting the venues and people behind them are so important.
If you want to hear mine and Sybil’s full chat, you can do so on the RGM Podcast and also watch it below:
In the spirit of Independent Venue Week, I asked the RGM team about their favourite Independent Venues and a little bit about them.
Starting us off, Richie has gone for The Ferret in Preston…
Italian Band “CUT” at The Ferret in Preston – Photo Credit: Richie Yates
“The Ferret Preston is one huge old late Victorian Building, a huge mass of brick on the outside giving an almost Adams Family gone Industrial vibe to the place.
Inside it’s a fully equipped venue with great sound, good lights and a space large enough for people to mosh or watch bands more in a more sedate manner near the bar.
It attracts the up and coming bands, those who’ve been around for ages and the age range of punters (and performers) is one of those rare places where it’s young and old. Recently helped out (after they themselves raised £250,000 by putting fundraiser gigs on) by the Music Venue Trust and hopefully on its way to become a community hub as well as venue.
A particular highlight is a self-run festival named Glastonferret where the entire venue floor is covered in artificial grass!”
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FERRET IN PRESTON IN HERE
Well, artificial grass for a festival is certainly a step-up in effort!
Now Richie has given us a couple more to give us, the next one is the capital…
The band “Autohaus” at Paper Dress in Hackney, London – Photo Credit: Richie Yates
“Paper Dress London is a vintage clothing shop by day but by night metamorphoses into a cool bar with a gem of a little venue upstairs.
It seems to see a lot of cool happening events as well as a regular turnaround of Indie and Psychedelic sounds and is located bang slap in the middle of Hackneys buzzing central area.
A unique and eclectic venue.”
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PAPER DRESS IN HACKNEY HERE
Next up, we head to the South coast, as Fran gives me her input, in the form of The Joiners Arms…
The front of The Joiners in Southampton – Photo Credit: The Joiners Southampton
“The Joiners Arms in Southampton has hosted dozens of my favourite gigs over the years, from local heroes Delays to pop-goddess Self Esteem and indie headliners like The Vaccines.
It is a place of legend: A launchpad for most of the UKs finest bands, Oasis played here in ’94, and I still kick myself for turning down a ticket to see Muse supported by a bunch of unknowns called Coldplay.
A major part of the city for decades, the venue still manages to beat the odds to stay open, thanks largely to the help of artists like Frank Turner and Band of Skulls putting on fundraisers.
The toilets might always stink and the bar will always be cramped, but it’s a wonderful venue where the stage blurs with the audience.
With no backstage area, acts have to shuffle through the crowd just to reach their instruments—which always makes it interesting for encores!
It’s been open since 1968 and is a previous winner of NME’s ‘Britain’s Best Small Venue’ award.
I can’t wait to celebrate 60 years of The Joiners!”
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE JOINERS IN SOUTHAMPTON HERE
Ric is up next and here is his pick of venue, and it’s back up to West Yorkshire for this one…
The sign at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge – Photo Credit: Richie Yates
“My favourite Independent Venue is one of shabby charm and near legendary status, it is The Trades Club, nestled in Hebden Bridge down the infamous “Happy Valley” of Halifax.
Often punching way above it’s weight, no doubt helped by easy access via train from Lancs, Manchester and Leeds it has become a much desired destination to play, both with up and coming artists and musical legends such as Patti Smith and Chrissie Hynde.
Recently it was one of the destinations for Edwyn Collins who said he couldn’t possibly retire without playing there one last time but also Doves on their warm up shows as they returned to playing live again.
There’s something magical about the live room, its sound and its feel is just somehow really warming to the soul and makes you fall in love with the place, so much so that I actually became part of it, joining the volunteers who are the committee that oversees the running of it on behalf of its 1600 or so members and I’m currently the Club Secretary, yes that’s how much I love this place!”
Well it’s clear that Trades Club is a favourite amongst the team, as Richie also put it forward! here’s what he had to say…
The band “Heavy Salad” on stage at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge – Photo Credit: Richie Yates
“The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge is a long standing club with socialist leanings (supporting many a good cause), cheap ale (cheaper if you become a member) and a long list of luminaries who’ve played there that would make many an O2 venue jealous (including Pattie Smith).
Upstairs in an old Mill Building in the scenic Calder Valley area, the venues tiny bar area and much larger gig room with its full stage, PA and Lighting setup is a satisfying place to take in new or established bands.
The food is also very cheap and excellent! It has been declared as the hippest and most inspirational venue in the North and does live up to that epithet.”
SEE WHAT THE TRADES CLUB HAS TO OFFER HERE
Staying in West Yorkshire, Tom gives his input next…
1 in 12 club and venue exterior in Bradford – Photo Credit: 1 in 12 Club
“Bradford, as a city, is one that is just re-finding its footing in terms of attracting big-name artists.
With the recent opening of Bradford Live they have already secured names such as Kaiser Chiefs and Gorillaz – but let’s not forget who has kept this cities musical spirit alive.
The 1 in 12 club is nestled away in an innocuous side street the venue has played a pivotal role in the cities fuck you, punk rock attitude since its doors first opened in 1988.
It’s a venue like no other, truly.
Where else in this countries swamp of O2 Academies and 2 pints for 20 quid venues could you find a true outlier – A venue that was formed on anarchist, socialist principles and stands by them.
It’s still run by its members for the community for the community, and puts on some of the best up and coming punk acts in the country by the people, for the people.
Instead of sticking to the cities more established venues: clean, sanitised, homogenous. Take a trip back to the days of Crass and feel like you are part of a movement – One where you truly matter.”
CHECK OUT THE 1 IN 12 CLUB HERE
Now a couple of mine, sadly my all time favourite venue, The Leadmill is no more – as it sadly closed in 2025, but it just goes to show as to how important campaigns that highlight these venues are, regardless of why they closed.
My first pick goes to Arts Club in Liverpool…
The exterior of Arts Club on Seal Street in Liverpool – Photo Credit: Arts Club Liverpool
I’ve actually only ever been here once believe it or not, but I was blown away!
I saw The Lilacs headlining here back in 2024, with bands Dirty Blonde and Toy Car supporting, but the sound was fantastic, the general layout was different but brilliant, I really rated it and it was overall just really gave me a really good vibe.
It’s got a pretty big bar space, which looks modern but slick and really settles into the brickwork, there’s also a photobooth and plenty of space for a merch stand, plus clean toilets! (At least when I went anyway).
The actual stage area is vastly different and I was really blown away, it’s like walking into a different world – I could see it working for a different number of events and it just felt very versatile.
The only downside for me personally was that the drinks felt a little on the pricey side, but you can’t have everything!
A cracking place and I really hope I can visit again in future.
FIND ALL THINGS ARTS CLUB LIVERPOOL HERE
My last contribution to my top venues is Docks Academy and Docks Beers in Grimsby.
Jon McClure, frontman of Reverend and the Makers, doing an acoustic number outside the front of Docks Beers/Docks Academy
Photo Credit: Docks Academy
Now the thing I am used to hearing about Grimsby when I mention it, is something along the lines of “there’s nowt there!” or something to do with fish, I’ve truthfully been guilty of it in the past.
But you know what, there ARE things happening there and to be honest, a lot of people are ignorant to what is going on in the town, especially Docks Beers and Docks Academy, a gem tucked away on King Edwards Street, the venue itself is actually situated in a former church and one of the last remaining heritage sites on the street.
Docks Academy has had some impressive names through the door, having had the likes of The View, Slade, Reverend and the Makers, even Barry from Eastenders (yes, really!) – the list goes on.
Plus, they have their own range of beers and IPA’s which are brewed on site, there is something for literally everyone, they have merch (which you may have seen the Docks Beers car stickers on the motorway!) and it just has a generally good feel about the place, the staff are passionate about the live music and arts scene, they are consistently pushing grassroots and local artists, but also put on a variety of events.
If you haven’t been yet, it’s worth it!
CHECK OUT WHAT’S GOING ON AT DOCKS ACADEMY HERE
There we go then, Independent Venue Week for 2026 is happening between Monday 26th January and Sunday 1st February, there are SO many venues up and down the country taking part and are putting on at least one gig, some may have sold out, some maybe not.
This campaign goes beyond supporting your local venues though, by doing this, it encourages artists, audiences and the wider music business to give them the business, supporting local and the wider economy, it creates jobs, it gives people something to do and creates communities.
There shouldn’t need to be something like this to help, but that is the position they find themselves in, so if you want to check out your local venue, regardless of whether or not they’re taking part in Independent Venue Week or not, please do! You could find a hidden gem, you could meet new friends or discover that band before they make the big time (or see your favourites in an intimate setting!).
The Music Venue Trust released their annual report for 2025 recently, and the findings are quite shocking to be honest, a lot of our music industry relies on or needs these venues to keep going or grow, so without them, the music industry would be in ALOT of trouble – if you want to see read the findings for yourself, you can do so here.
But there we go, there’s some of Team RGM’s favourite venues, there’s probably many more across the wider team, but we’d be here all week! We’d love to hear about some of yours too.
Get yourself to your local venues, go to the gigs, meet new people or share it with friends and family, happy Independent Venue Week all!
READ MORE RGM FEATURES HERE
CHECK OUT ALL THINGS INDEPENDENT VENUE WEEK HERE