17 Songs To Celebrate Independent Venue Week

This week marks the official launch of an exciting new approach to celebrating independence and re-invigorating people’s love for live music – the inaugural Independent Venue Week.

From Tuesday 28 January to Sunday 2 February, 17 venues up and down the country will be joining together for a host of local gigs to celebrate the murky wonder of the places devoted to bringing the new and up-and-coming stars of tomorrow to your local. With ambassadors such as Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood and BBC Introducing already on board to cement the crucial importance of these venues to both the development of new artists, and the calendar of the gig-going community, its bold show in the face of more and more venues being forced to close around the country is more than worth celebrating.

We’ve asked all the participating venues to choose one song that embodies the independent venue spirit for them to mark this week, be they from an exciting newcomer or now-headliner who would never have reached where they are now without these venues. They will all be representing their individual scenes and cities with a special show this week – so whether you’re from Stoke or Southampton, head to the venue’s official website to discover what’s going on near you, and show your support for the week in person.

So, without further ado – read on for your 17 track guide to Independent Venue Week! For more information and tickets to all the week’s show, just head here.

London – Half Moon, Putney

The Amazing Snakeheads – “Flatlining”

We could use a track by an established band that has played here many moons ago, but we felt it was important to look to the future instead. It’s only fitting we showcase a Domino Recording as they are curating our IVW night and The Amazing Snakeheads are perfect. They’re fresh, raw and exciting – we can’t wait to see them raise the roof.

The Half Moon has a rich history but we can showcase the best new bands too. 2014 is the year when we feel we can really start attracting these emerging stars. It’s so important that independent venues nurture the next generation of live bands, after all our livelihoods all depend on them.

Archie Bronson Outfit and The Amazing Snakeheads play the Half Moon tomorrow night.

Norwich – Arts Centre

Nirvana – “Sifting”

NAC has played host to many performances by artists who have gone on to massive success, one being Nirvana who played here in 1989. Nirvana were supporting label mates Tad and one fan got there early to tape the set. What’s so perfect about this track, ‘Sifting’, is that you can not only hear the NAC auditorium, you can feel the energy. Nirvana went onto to become world famous and you can sense that bubbling potential just under the surface. IVW supports these forward thinking values and asks the local community to pause and spend a moment remembering what Norwich Arts Centre is to the arts in Norwich and beyond.

The Boy With Two Heads, Mammal Hands and Soft play Tuesday 28 January.

Manchester – Soup Kitchen

Hookworms – “Away/Towards”

Hookworms are the best band to come out of the UK for the past 10 years and seeing them play such a high octane kraut rock show at Soup Kitchen was unbelievable. Catching them at a time just as they sold out the venue was an honour and a privilege for us as a venue. Great to see them now go to bigger venues, but we would welcome them back any day. Being part of the inaugural IVW is very important to us. Independent Venues are very vulnerable at the moment so anything to help push things along especially with us being relatively young is always welcome. We raise a glass to IVW.

Sways Records will curate a night at Soup Kitchen on Sunday, featuring Kult Country, Naked (On Drugs), Francis Lung, Bernard + Edith and Aldous RH.

Glasgow – King Tut’s Wah-Wah Hut

Oasis – “Supersonic”

The tiny 300 capacity Tuts has become the success story that venues across the world aspire to. Artists remember playing here for years after first stepping foot inside. Sweat, atmosphere and the loudest of loud music make it the perfect rock’n’roll venue. Oasis were famously signed by Alan McGee after he accidentally saw them play there 20 years ago, so their first single “Supersonic” has to be the choice… And the rest, as they say, is history.

Lemon Party, Neon Waltz, The New Fabian Society and Blue Honey take to Tut’s tomorrow night.

Stoke – The Sugarmill

Biffy Clyro – “Justboy”

We’ve had Biffy play many times over the years, from when 30 people would show up to watch them and they’d have to drive back up to Scotland to sign on after the show, to the last time they played here to a sold out crowd back in 2007, just before they released Puzzle. It’s my firm belief that independent venues are the heart of the UK’s Live Music Industry. Without these venues as a stepping stone, bands now playing arenas would not have got where they are today.

Camp Stag, The Ruby Dukes, Nothing But Thieves, Moral Panics and Delamere will play the Sugarmill on Wednesday 29 January.

Belfast – Oh Yeah Centre

Two Door Cinema Club – “Something Good Can Work”

The band made this video on the top floor of Oh Yeah around 2009. Back then, the top floor was completely unused, so the band was able to jump around without interruption. This is still my favourite version of the song and the optimism of the title was something we shared in those early, insecure days. We’re very happy to be part of Independent Venue Week. You feel part of a gang, all aiming for great things. What an honour to be in such company.

Go Wolf, Little Bear and The Couth play on Wednesday night.

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Cardiff – Clwb Ifor Bach

Cate Le Bon – “Are You With Me Now?”

Our venue has been at the heart of the UK new music touring circuit – yes, the classic toilet tour – but our passion is for the Welsh music on our doorstep. Ask any band from Wales – playing Clwb Ifor Bach is a rite of passage. Le Bons performances at Clwb go way back. She’s since gone on to tour the world, collaborated with the Manics, and is currently touring and selling out her solo gigs. Makes us feel warm that we were part of the first steps of someone so incredibly talented. Supporting new music isn’t always easy, but its what we’re about, its in the blood!

Continents take to the Clwb on Wednesday.

Liverpool – The Zanzibar

The Bandits – “2 Step Rock”

This Reminds me of the vibrant buoyant time of “The Bandwagon” band-night. From 1999 onwards, it was primarily energised and run by Gary Bandit, with the help of a bunch of local bands like The Coral, who are still very much involved in Liverpool’s scene today. The night showcased the circuit bands at the time, as well as local bands and was supported by the likes of Colin Murray, Edith Bowman and even Noel Gallagher in their early days. The Zanzibar Club has played host to many firsts in Liverpool over the years – always supporting fresh idea’s new nights and developing bands, and I think it only fitting that The first IVW happens here. We look forward to many more.

The Red Suns, Go Fiasco, The Cheap Thrills, Dominic Dunn and Liberty Vessels will play on Thursday 30 January.

The Forum – Tunbridge Wells

Enter Shikari – “Sorry, You’re Not A Winner”

This was an important night for the Tunbridge Wells Forum as we were officially recognised as Britain’s Best Small Venue by NME magazine – a great honour. Enter Shikari came down to play an intimate show for us, and the venue was jam packed full of fans to celebrate with us. It was also in the build up to our 20th Anniversary, so winning the award was extra special that year. It’s with this kind of support, plus that of IVW that we can help raise awareness of The Forum and the handful of independently run venues that remain in the UK today.

Propellers will play the Forum on Sunday 2 February.

Oxford – Jericho Tavern

Glass Animals – “Psylla”

It’s fantastic to have Glass Animals, who are amongst Oxford’s brightest hopes right now, headline a night that will showcase why Oxford remains a superpower on the world music stage. It will be an emotive and exhilarating night for everyone involved, especially because the Jericho’s rich history, and Colin Greenwood’s generous involvement.

Glass Animals, We Aeronauts and Salvation Bill will play the Jericho on Saturday 1 February.

Plymouth – Tiki Bar

Woahnows – “Low Machs”

Woahnows are headlining the Tiki Bar show, just one of the many talented bands in the area that the club supports. The band are a perfect example of the talent involved with the scene in Plymouth at the moment. We wish them the best of luck.

Woahnoaws, Damarels and Boxkite will play the Tiki Bar on Saturday 1 February.

Southampton – Joiners

Frank Turner – “The Ballad Of Me And My Friends”

We feel this song encompasses the vibe of Joiners, the lyrics relate to the music scene at this level, also the great musicians who come through and leave us with these stories to tell once they go on to bigger things. Frank is an artist who has played in several bands over the years at the venue. His journey relates to ours as a venue and he always comes back to show some love every now and again.

The Rising and Fever play the Joiners on Friday 31 January.

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Bristol – The Louisiana

The White Stripes – “Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground”

The Louisiana is famous for having some of the best acts and live sound, but it’s when you see an act like the White Stripes in a small room like this that you feel the soul of the building; this energy clinging to the walls. Aled who now books gigs here remembers playing the Louis in a small band about 8 years ago and being excited to share a stage that his heroes had been on.

It’s important to remember though that it isn’t just national touring bands that play at The Louisiana but it’s also stomping ground to hundreds of local acts who master their art here. There are some bright Bristol prospects on our line-up for IVW over a variety of genres from rock to folk via electro and pop with some visuals thrown in for good measure.

Wyynona Ryyder and Small Engine Repair headline the bill on Thursday 30 January.

York – Fibbers

The Glass Caves – “Why Stay?”

Glass Caves have been a truly DIY success story; building a following by busking in the city, taking them to around 7000 facebook followers and a live following that has ensured sell out on 2 Fibbers headlines in 2013. The band are now playing all over the UK picking up press from Clashmusic, Artrocker and various international blogs as well as landing a Radio One playlist in 2013. The platform for this has been all the local development in York, centred around Fibbers and gigs done with Tim.

Blind Eye and A Joker’s Rage will play Fibbers on Sunday 2 February.

Leeds – 360 Club

Alt-J – “Matilda”

The choice has to be Alt-J. I put them on for their first gig well before they were known, when they were still at Leeds Uni. After that, I promoted virtually every gig they did until they exploded on to the scene. “Matilda” was played for the first time when I was on as a guest tipping emerging acts on Alan Raws’ BBC Introducing show. It was their first ever radio play, a long time before it was released and led to them doing their first live session on Alan’s show. This is an example of a band that came through the independent venue route and there are a lot of great acts out there that could easily do as well as these guys. People ought to get out and discover some of them, like Allusondrugs who for me could be the next thing to explode out of Leeds – they are stunning live, and stunning is a word I do not use lightly!

Allusondrugs will headline the Library on Friday 31 January.

Sheffield – The Leadmill

Arctic Monkeys – “Dancing Shoes”

Arctic Monkeys are emotionally connected with the venue and we are to them, as they played here on their first album launch, 2 consecutive shows for their 2nd album launch and a very special secret gig at our Saturday night indie night that nobody knew about. Independent venues are the lifeblood live music. The independent venues put everything into every gig without any outside help. It’s all about the love for music. As our motto says – “Music Lives Here”.

The Blackout will headline on Saturday 1 February.

Guildford – Boileroom

Men Without Hats – “Safety Dance”

Trying to figure out a tune that fits is always a bit tough as we’ve had so many artists through, so we had a think and decided on this track. We feel the lyrics and the punk vibe through the tune embodies what we are about! We have some of the most amazing independent venues in the world in this country, and IVW is great recognition for all the hard work that we do. IVW catapults the work we do into the public spotlight, and reminds them how important it is to support the talent and venue on your doorstep. Thank you for the opportunity to do this.

Natalie Ross and Jamie Lenman will play the Boileroom on Friday 31 January.

And finally…

Sybill Bell and Joe Edwards, founders of Independent Venue Week, chose Radiohead‘s “The National Anthem” to round off the whole project.