The second year of IVW will run from Monday 26th January to Sunday 2nd February and see five times as many locations take part. Alongside their usual promoters, some venues have handed over the curating reins to the likes of Rough Trade, BBC Introducing, Xfm, Noisey and Boiler Room for a an exciting programme featuring the best emerging artists out there.
The IVW initiative is essentially uniting the small dark rooms above, below and behind pubs that we all did a lot of growing up in. They’re the places where most musicians have their first gig, learn how to work a crowd, and earn your undying love and respect as they climb the ladder of success. They’re also the places that a huge number of people in other areas of the music industry learn and develop their craft – whether in sound engineering, promoting or journalism. Home to endless nights of brilliantly unpredictable music, mess and inspiration – they’re where the youth of Britain go to discover both new music and themselves.
With music venues currently dropping like flies, it would be an almighty shame for future generations to not have such places in their lives. Finding music on the internet is not the same as experiencing it live in an independent venue. Small and familiar, they’re the ideal places to really connect with artists. And when more established acts choose to get intimate too, it’s all the more perfect. This year the likes of PEACE, Ghost Poet and The Fat White Family will also be showing their appreciation, as well as songwriting genius Laura Marling.
Supported by Arts Council England, the Independent Venue Week is an important celebration of a well-worn British institution that we should all help to promote and save.
Full line up available at independentvenueweek.com
Credits
Photography Neelam Khan Vela