Support Your Independent Music Venues

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© Simon Partington & The Forum Tunbridge Wells

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the live music industry has found itself on pause. As an industry with the aim of bringing people together, those involved have found themselves particularly badly hit by the economic impacts.

Tour managers, guitar technicians and venue front of house staff all have one thing in common – they depend upon live music for a living. Independent U.K music venues have already been taking a battering from rising rents, and restrictive legislation in places, and now many will be staring into the abyss with no end in sight to the lockdown.

Tunbridge Wells Forum is no exception. With a local reputation of having once being public loos and also having hosted the likes of Oasis, Adele and Coldplay before they made it big, the Forum is firmly established as a key influence on musicians in the local area and a necessary stepping stone.

For those who grew up in the area it holds special memories; from one extreme of intimate shows with Ash and Wheatus to the other of seeing your mates band up on stage on a Friday after school. However for every Forum, there are 100 other venues which people hold with the same compassion and nostalgia in their mind.

The grim truth is that we currently stand to lose a significant part of our live music industry and scarily it may be the backbone which crumbles. With no grassroots venues, we will see less home-grown talent taking on arena tours, or taking a residency at the 02.

Frank Turner’s Independent Venue Love Fundraiser

https://www.facebook.com/frankturnermusic/videos/2864658576961229/

Champion of small venues, Frank Turner will be hosting his independent venue love v.04 for Tunbridge Wells Forum this Thursday (April 16th) as part of his initiative to support independent music venues during this difficult period. He will be streaming shows on his Facebook page and asking viewers to make a donation to the specified venue.

Other Ways To Support Independent Music Venues

If you don’t like Frank Turner or you’re favourite venue isn’t part of independent venue love, then there are plenty of other ways to support each other. Many will be running viewings of previous performances or even have their own merchandise range now. Have a look at our livestream calendar for all upcoming events.

On Friday (April 17th), for instance,  Swedish five piece The Sounds will be streaming a live set from the KB in Malmö to raise money for the venue. Donations are encouraged and appreciated.

Take five minutes out of your Netflix Binge/work from home routine/whilst queuing to enter the supermarket and check in on your local venue via their social media. They need your support now more than ever!

A List of Independent Music Venus in the UK

  • Aberdeen, Krakatoa
  • Abertillery, The Dolls House
  • Aldershot, West End Centre
  • Atherton, The Snug-Atherton
  • Ayton, Hemelvaart Bier Café
  • Barnstaple, The Factory
  • Barrow in Furness, Barrow Underground Music Society
  • Bath, Komedia
  • Bath, Moles
  • Bath, St James’ Wine Vaults
  • Bath, The Grapes
  • Bedford, Esquires
  • Belfast, Oh Yeah Music Centre
  • Birkenhead, Birkenhead Library
  • Birmingham, The Castle & Falcon
  • Birmingham, The Hare & Hounds
  • Birmingham, The Night Owl
  • Aberdeen, Krakatoa
  • Abertillery, The Dolls House
  • Aldershot, West End Centre
  • Atherton, The Snug-Atherton
  • Ayton, Hemelvaart Bier Café
  • Barnstaple, The Factory
  • Barrow in Furness, Barrow Underground Music Society
  • Bath, Komedia
  • Bath, Moles
  • Bath, St James’ Wine Vaults
  • Bath, The Grapes
  • Bedford, Esquires
  • Belfast, Oh Yeah Music Centre
  • Birkenhead, Birkenhead Library
  • Birmingham, The Castle & Falcon
  • Birmingham, The Hare & Hounds
  • Birmingham, The Night Owl
  • Bishop’s Stortford, The Half Moon
  • Blackpool, The Bootleg Social
  • Blackpool, Waterloo Music Bar
  • Blakey Ridge, The Lion Inn
  • Bournemouth, 60 Million Postcards
  • Bournemouth, Old Fire Station
  • Bournemouth, The Anvil
  • Bradford, Tapestry Arts
  • Bridgwater, The Cobblestones
  • Brighton, Concorde 2
  • Brighton, Komedia
  • Brighton, The Green Door Store
  • Brighton, The Old Market
  • Brighton, The Pipeline
  • Brighton, The Richmond
  • Bristol, Crofters Rights
  • Bristol, Exchange
  • Bristol, Mr Wolfs
  • Bristol, Rough Trade Bristol
  • Bristol, The Lanes
  • Bristol, The Loco Klub
  • Bristol, The Old England
  • Bury St Edmunds, The Hunter Club
  • Bury, The Met
  • Cambridge, Junction
  • Cardiff, 10 Feet Tall
  • Cardiff, Acapela Studio
  • Cardiff, Cardiff M.A.D.E
  • Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
  • Cardiff, The Gate
  • Cardiff, The Moon
  • Cardiff, Undertone
  • Carlisle, The Brickyard
  • Chelmsford, Hot Box Live Events
  • Cheltenham, Frog & Fiddle
  • Chester, The Live Rooms
  • Clitheroe, The Grand
  • Colchester, Three Wise Monkeys
  • Corsham, The Pound Arts Centre
  • Coventry, Empire
  • Coventry, Tin At The Coal Vaults
  • Darlington, The Forum Music Studios
  • Deal, The Lighthouse
  • Derby, The Venue
  • Derry, Bennigans
  • Doncaster, The Blacksmiths Arms
  • Doncaster, Wroot Rocks
  • Dundee, Beat Generator Live!
  • Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete’s
  • Edinburgh, Summerhall
  • Edinburgh, The Mash House
  • Exeter, Cavern
  • Galashiels, Mac Arts
  • Glasgow, Barras Art & Design
  • Glasgow, Broadcast
  • Glasgow, Cathouse Rock Club
  • Glasgow, Mono
  • Glasgow, Room 2
  • Glasgow, The Blue Arrow Jazz Club
  • Glasgow, The Dam
  • Glasgow, The Flying Duck
  • Glasgow, The Garage
  • Glasgow, The Glad Café
  • Glasgow, The Hug & Pint
  • Glasgow, The Old Hairdresser’s
  • Guernsey, St James
  • Guildford, The Boileroom
  • Halifax, Square Chapel Arts Centre
  • Halifax, The Grayston Unity
  • Halifax, The Lantern
  • Hebden Bridge, Trades Club
  • Hebden Bridge, Wadsworth Community Centre
  • Huddersfield, The Parish
  • Hull, The New Adelphi Club
  • Hull, The Polar Bear
  • Hull, The Welly
  • Inverness, Mad Hatters
  • Inverness, The Tooth & Claw
  • Ipswich, Steamboat Tavern
  • Ipswich, The Smokehouse
  • Keighley, Exchange Arts
  • Kilmarnock, Bakers Nightclub
  • Lancaster, Kanteena
  • Lancaster, Lancaster Priory
  • Leeds, 360 Club
  • Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
  • Leeds, Hyde Park Book Club
  • Leeds, Oporto
  • Leeds, The HiFi Club
  • Leeds, The Wardrobe
  • Leeds, Wire
  • Leicester, Firebug
  • Leicester, The Cookie
  • Leicester, The Shed
  • Leicester, The Soundhouse
  • Leith, Leith Depot
  • Liverpool, Craft Taproom
  • Liverpool, District
  • Liverpool, EBGBS
  • Liverpool, Grand Central Hall
  • Liverpool, Handyman Bar and Brewery
  • Liverpool, Jacaranda: PHASE ONE
  • Liverpool, Jimmy’s
  • Liverpool, Parr Street Studio 2
  • Liverpool, Some Place
  • Liverpool, The Jacaranda Club
  • Liverpool, The Zanzibar Club
  • Llandrindod Wells, Pavilion Mid Wales
  • London, 100 Club
  • London, 229 London
  • London, Aces & Eights
  • London, Boston Music Room
  • London, Bush Hall
  • London, Half Moon Putney
  • London, Lion Clapton
  • London, New Cross Inn
  • London, Paper Dress Vintage
  • London, Peckham Audio
  • London, Raven Tower Bridge
  • London, Red Lion Ballroom
  • London, Roadtrip & The Workshop
  • London, Sister Midnight Records
  • London, The Amersham Arms
  • London, The Dome
  • London, The Dublin Castle
  • London, The Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall
  • London, The Good Mixer
  • London, The Macbeth
  • London, The Slaughtered Lamb
  • London, The Social
  • London, The Troubadour
  • London, The Underdog London
  • London, Tooting Tram and Social
  • London, Trinity
  • London, Troxy
  • London, WERKHAUS
  • London, Windmill Brixton
  • Manchester, Band On The Wall
  • Manchester, Gullivers
  • Manchester, Jimmy’s
  • Manchester, Niamos
  • Manchester, Night & Day Cafe
  • Manchester, The Castle Hotel
  • Manchester, The Peer Hat
  • Manchester, Wilderness Record Store
  • Margate, Dreamland
  • Margate, Elsewhere
  • Margate, Olby’s Soul Cafe & Music Room
  • Margate, The Tom Thumb Theatre
  • Middlesbrough, Base Camp
  • Middlesbrough, Sticky Fingers Rock Bar
  • Milton Keynes, MK Gallery
  • Milton Keynes, MK11
  • Milton Keynes, The Craufurd Arms
  • Milton Keynes, The Stables
  • Newcastle, The Cluny, Cluny 2
  • Newcastle, Trillians Rock Bar
  • Newport, Isle of Wight, Strings Bar & Venue
  • Northampton, The Black Prince
  • Northampton, The Lab
  • Northampton, The Roadmender
  • Northwich, The Salty Dog
  • Norwich, Norwich Arts Centre
  • Norwich, OPEN Norwich
  • Norwich, The Waterfront
  • Norwich, Voodoo Daddies Showroom
  • Plymouth, The Junction
  • Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
  • Ramsgate, Ramsgate Music Hall
  • Reading, Purple Turtle
  • Reading, Rising Sun Arts Centre
  • Rhayader, The Lost ARC
  • Salford, The Eagle Inn
  • Scunthorpe, Cafe INDIEpendent
  • Sedgefield, The Manor House
  • Sheffield, Cafe Totem
  • Sheffield, Corporation
  • Sheffield, Mulberry Bar and Venue
  • Sheffield, Network
  • Sheffield, Record Junkee
  • Sheffield, The Leadmill
  • Sheffield, Yellow Arch Studios
  • South Petherton, The David Hall
  • Southampton, Heartbreakers
  • Southampton, The 1865
  • Southampton, The Joiners Arms
  • Southampton, The Loft
  • Southend On Sea, Chinnerys
  • Southsea, The Wave Maiden
  • St Albans, The Horn
  • St Austell, St Austell Band Club
  • St Leonards on Sea, The Marina Fountain
  • St Leonards-on-Sea, The Piper
  • Stafford, Redrum
  • Staines, The London Stone
  • Stockton-on-Tees, Ku Stockton
  • Stockton-on-Tees, The Georgian Theatre
  • Stoke-on-Trent, Pilgrims Pit
  • Stoke-on-Trent, The Sugarmill
  • Stoke-on-Trent, The Underground
  • Stourbridge, Claptrap The Venue
  • Stowmarket, John Peel Centre for Creative Arts
  • Sunderland, Independent Sunderland
  • Swansea, Hangar 18 Music Venue
  • Swansea, Sin City
  • Swansea, The Bunkhouse
  • Taunton, Creative Innovation Centre CIC
  • Telford, Forge Urban Revival at The Wakes
  • Telford, Southwater, Albert’s Shed Southwater
  • The Blacksmiths Arms
  • Todmorden, Golden Lion
  • Truro, The Old Bakery
  • Walsden, The Mill Venue
  • Ware, Southern Maltings
  • Wigan, The Boulevard
  • Worcester, Annie’s Burger Shack
  • Worcester, Paradiddles Music Cafe Bar
  • Worcester, The Marrs Bar
  • Worthing, Bar 42
  • Worthing, The Factory Live
  • Wrexham, Undegun Arts Space
  • York, FortyFive Vinyl Café
  • York, Spark:York
  • York, The Basement
  • York, The Crescent
  • York, The Fulford Arms
  • York, The Victoria Vaults

Emily Stewart

Emily Stewart is a freelance music journalist for Indie Is Not A Genre.



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