Give Live Back to Music: The importance of Independent Venue Week
January 26th marks the start of the annual event’s live music celebration, focusing on independent venues and emerging artists. Check out some of the acts who are playing, and why it’s crucial in 2026.
Photo: Jess Warburton
Independent Venue Week — the UK’s annual week-long celebration of grassroots venues and live music —is here. Running from Monday, 26th January till Sunday, 1st February, IVW 2026 will see a wealth of emerging and independent talent grace the stages of over 200 iconic venues across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The iconic ambassadors for this year’s Independent Venue Week are alt-rock duo Nova Twins (representing England), modern-day folk pioneer Eve Goodman (Wales) and folk-punk rising stars Brògeal (Scotland). Ambassadors for previous incarnations include English Teacher, Wet Leg and Young Fathers.
This year sees hundreds of truly independent artists performing across the country, allowing fans the chance to come together in cramped bars, dingy backrooms and sweaty dancefloors.
For those who love their live music in Scotland, Galashiels’ venue MacArts sees the legendary Buzzcocks performing on January 31st. It also sees native ambassadors Brògeal playing on the 30th.
Up-and-coming groups like Flat Moon and Silver Dollar Room play Edinburgh’s Stramash, while thistle. take to the stage at The Mash House. In Wales, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican take Cardiff’s Acapela Studio on January 31st, as well as Black Havana at Afan Ales, Port Talbot on February 1st, and Eve Goodman and SERA performing at the Cwtch coffee shop in Pembroke Dock.
Independent Venue Week will see artists like Labyrinthine Oceans, Junior Brother and Flip Top Head entertaining the masses, alongside Westside Cowboy at Manchester’s Gorilla, HotWax at Portsmouth’s KOLA, and Miles Kane at The 1865, Southampton.
Venues like Strings Bar & Venue in Newport, York’s The Crescent and the Sebright Arms in London will become temples to song night after beer-soaked night. Signature tracks and deep cuts, unreleased anthems and album debuts will be performed to fans and newbies up and down the UK.
Let’s face it: we live in a society where the arts industry isn’t appreciated. Funding is dwindling. Musicians don’t make enough from streaming or touring. Fans can’t afford thousands of pounds to stand at the barrier and see their favourite icons. Hundreds of beloved, grassroots venues go under every year. In 2026, an event like Independent Venue Week could not be more vital.
IVW celebrates the incredible role these establishments play throughout our lives; the memories they shape and connections they help form. It also celebrates the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to keep these spaces running, the drinks flowing, and the amps blaring. If you have the chance to make any of these shows for IVW, do. Buy a fucking ticket. Support independent artists. Keep these great venues alive. You’ll have a hell of a good time doing it.
For a list of all the venues and shows going on as part of Independent Venue Week this year, head to IVW’s website here: IVW - Independent Venue Week.
Head down to your local independent venue and discover your new favourite band!
