Independent Venue Week Supported by PRS for Music Launched for early in 2014

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.

“Independent Venue Week is a fantastic idea. Small venues are the lifeblood of British music. There’s a particular kind of excitement when you go to a gig at these venues. They’re visceral and intimate.”
Phil Selway, Radiohead

Co-founder of the initiative, Sybil Bell said “The struggle to compete with large, sponsor-backed venues makes it a tough and challenging time for independents. Combine this with bands finding it harder to tour due to limited revenues and rising on-the-road costs and we can all see what a difficult climate live venues find themselves in. There’s never been a more important time to highlight the importance of these treasured places; getting people excited about discovering new music up close and personal and reigniting fans passion for gig-going.”

“Without small, independent venues, there’d be no small, independent bands, and without them there’d be no big acts either; these places are the lifeblood of any music scene, and any music fan should care about them and support Independent Venue Week”.
Frank Turner

Official Venues confirmed for 2014
Glasgow
King Tuts Wah Wah Hut

York
Fibbers