Grassroots Music Venues in the North have had ups and downs over the years, with some closing their doors due to circumstances out of their control, whereas others have built up their reputation and have managed to keep their doors open providing talent from small bands to major bands. This feature will highlight the music venues that have had a brilliant year for music. So stick around, you might just find your new favourite venue!
SIDNEY AND MATILDA – SHEFFIELD
Sidney and Matilda offer a wide variety of live performances, from post-punk to rock to electronic, and even comedy shows which some are free and some are paid entry. In 2025, Sidney and Matilda had The Guest List, a Manchester rising indie band, perform at their venue which was ultimately sold-out. The venue also participated in hosting festivals throughout the year, one being a Tramlines Afterparty, drawing many gig-goers to their establishment. They host shows outside in their large courtyard providing more space (capacity of 300) for fans to come along and see their favourite bands.
Not only do they put on bands, they also encourage DJs to give a performance for their club nights which take place most nights. The sets also vary from electronic to underground, which are often performed by one or more DJs who collaborate to bring a great vibe to the venue.
This little venue is a great place to attend if you’re out and about in Sheffield and want to see some live music or just simply listen to your favourite tunes. You certainly don’t want to miss this amazing place!
ROCK CITY – NOTTINGHAM
Situated in the heart of Nottingham, this legendary venue has stood tall for over 40 years with bands playing such as Nirvana, David Bowie, Oasis, Gary Numan, Sisters of Mercy, and so many more over the decades. Nottingham just keeps thriving in the music scene with this venue hosting gigs for small bands as well as the well-known ones.
With a capacity of over 2,000 and a basement capacity of around 1,700, there is no reason for this venue to ever be quiet! In 2025, this venue never stopped booking great performers, drawing the most incredible fans from far and wide – some who may have never experienced Rock City like others have. The gig guide just makes fans want to come back night after night, be it for a gig or simply a club night, there is always something going off.
There is always talent elevating Rock City’s reputation. It’s also one of the reasons why Nottingham has such a brilliant music scene and why the importance of Grassroots Music Venues should be talked about as some could go on for as long as Rock City has without having to close down.
THE HAIRY DOG – DERBY
The Hairy Dog in the heart of Derby is one of the liveliest venues I have had the pleasure of visiting. This place really knows how to put on gig nights and DJ nights. One minute you will be listening to the heaviest death metal band and in the next hour a Taylor Swift disco will be starting, there is just so much diversity coming out of this venue. It truly is for everyone regardless of the music you like.
The ‘Dog’, as regulars call it, changed their gig room to being more spacious and having a proper booth for their resident DJs, which a lot of people praised as there was more room for dancing, moshing, and head banging without getting yourself or others hurt.
The venue holds around 500 people and have had bands such as Bad Manners, Lancashire Hotpots, Electric Six, Spear of Destiny, as well as hosting 80s DJ nights, Panic! At The Emo, and so many more club nights. The Hairy Dog is constantly filled with people who love gigging. This is why 2025 has been an amazing year for this venue.
THE KEY CLUB – LEEDS
This great little underground venue is widely known for supporting musicians and it provides a space for new and upcoming bands to showcase their talents to an audience, this is exactly what The Key Club did this year. With a capacity of 300, the venue had bands play such as The Xcerts, Silent Planet, Still Remains, as well as tribute acts to entertain their audiences.
The Key Club has been around since 2014, but in that time they have helped so many bands and artists get their name known. As well as showing bands, they also have club nights ranging for alternative anthems to pop to quizzes. The acts they had on in 2025 were mostly sold-out, which helped the venue to keep on their toes throughout the year. They have something for everyone here at it has helped their establishment flourish!
BAND ON THE WALL – MANCHESTER
This venue has been an award-winning place, hosting a diverse range of bands such as jazz, folk, rock, blues and has a history so impactful to Manchester. The venue had Joy Division play as well as The Fall. When Band On The Wall first opened, they would host numerous punk bands but as time went on, they turned into a jazz place. They have had bands such as Talisk, Jean Thackery, The Milk, Mammal Hands, Venna, which all perform more soul and funk music.
The diversity in this place is what draws people in, and they have certainly done a great job of bringing those audiences in. The capacity is 500-520 after their renovations that took place in 2022. This place seems like a cool vibe and definitely a venue that is chilled. A venue that is perfect for jazz lovers!
For 2025, Band On The Wall definitely had some favourable highlights. Award-winning US trumpeter Kenyon Harrold played here in October and performed to a wide audience in Manchester. Not only this, they held Forever Manchester Rocks – a charity event which took place in December. It saw people perform to raise money for charity. This venue sounds like it had such a great year and hopefully has more to come in 2026!