Following a successful launch, Independent Venue Week is pleased to announce Colin Greenwood (Radiohead) as their Official Ambassador.
Having received support from independent venues right from the start of his career, playing the likes of The Jericho and The Joiners in the early days of Radiohead, Colin really understands the important role independent venues play for both artists and gig goers. He is the perfect ambassador for Independent Venue Week and the venues it supports.
“I’m proud to be involved in the celebration and promotion of local gigs which gave us some of the best times in our musical life – The Joiners, King Tuts, Jericho Oxford – just to name three brilliant venues that are still putting on top shows today” said Greenwood
“They’re all crucial for the musical development of the UK because they provide local artists with places to hone their show skills and a window to other musical worlds when a tour hits town. Some of my favourite musical memories are from these independent venues and the dedicated promoters and local crew who run them. Here’s to a brilliant week in January and see you down the front!”
Bringing together some of the most relevant, important and historic venues around the country, Independent Venue Week supported by PRS for Music is a 6 day long series of gigs running from 28th January - 2nd February 2014.
Each of the 18 participating venues is hosting one night over the course of the week as their official Independent Venue Week gig. Artists, promoters, labels and blogs will work with each venue to curate, play and promote live music from some of the most exciting new talent in the country.
The project is also supported across BBC Introducing shows on national radio as well as 40 regional stations.
Independent venues sit at the heart of their local community, providing a vital lifeline to upcoming artists early in their careers whilst bringing together those fans who are passionate about live music. With more and more small to medium sized venues continuing to close around the country, Independent Venue Week supports those venues that play such a significant role to musicians and fans alike.
Official Venues confirmed for 2014
Glasgow King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
London Half Moon Putney
Norwich Arts Centre
Newcastle The Cluny
Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach (celebrating its 30th anniversary this year)
Stoke-On-Trent Sugarmill (celebrating its 20th anniversary this year)
Liverpool Zanzibar
Bristol The Louisiana
Belfast Oh Yeah Centre
Leeds The Library
Southampton The Joiners (celebrating its 45th anniversary this year)
Guilford Boileroom
Sheffield The Leadmill
Oxford The Jericho
Plymouth Tiki Bar
Manchester Soup Kitchen
Tunbridge Wells The Forum (celebrating its 20th anniversary this year)
York Fibbers
