The UK’s celebration of independent and grassroots music venues returns
Following its twelfth edition in 2025, Independent Venue Week is back for 2026 to highlight the importance of grassroots venues across the country – without them, we’d miss epic moments like these ones – and to help fill them at a traditionally quiet time of year.
It’s been a challenging period for venues and the nightlife industry, particularly in the capital. Over the last decade, 35% of grassroots venues have closed in London, with 37% of clubs shuttering across the UK since March 2020. Following the closure of sister spot G-A-Y Late in 2023, G-A-Y Bar shut in the autumn of last year, Corsica Studios is closing this year, and Hackney’s MOTH Club is still under threat thanks to the proposed development of flats on Morning Lane right next to the venue.
That’s why campaigns like Independent Venue Week, which highlight these much-loved spaces and show how integral they are to our culture, are so important. Hundreds of shows will be taking place at over 200 spaces all over the UK for the 2026 edition of Independent Venue Week. The likes of The Molotovs, Antony Szmierek, She Drew The Gun, 808 State, Lucy Spraggan, The Orielles, Extinction of Mankind, Dream Wife and Mike Joyce are all performing, along with IVW ambassadors Eve Goodman (in Mold), Brògeal in (Galashiels and Dumfries), and Nova Twins at the Amersham Arms in London.
Speaking about Independent Venue week, Nova Twins said: “We’re SO excited to be playing Amersham Arms on Jan 27th for Independent Venue Week! This is such a special space for us, we cut our teeth on that stage many times in our teen years and have so many fond memories there. From our very first bands to forming Nova Twins, it’s been a staple for us, shaping our growth and helping build our community. We can’t wait to put on an intimate show to celebrate independent venues, we must keep protecting them!”
Sybil Bell, Founder & CEO of Independent Venue Week added: “I’m so honoured that IVW continuous to attract such brilliant artist ambassadors, and these shows really encapsulate what this celebration is all about – whether it’s Nova Twins going back to a formative venue that’s close to their hearts, or Brògeal and Eve veering away from the UK’s major cities to play in music-loving towns such as Galashiels, Dumfries and Mold. That’s such an important aspect of what we’re aiming to achieve, and we can’t wait for the 13th consecutive edition of IVW to kick off on January 26th.”
Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq are also hosting a series of IVW shows on BBC 6 Music, presenting deep dives into the UK’s independent live music industry and performances from Coach Party and The Pill at Strings on the Isle of Wight.
Key Information
Dates | Mon 26th January – Sun 1st February 2026
Address | Various locations
For more information | independentvenueweek.com
