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The Intimate Venues Hosting The Next Big Thing

Posted on Monday 24th April 2023 at 16:00

Jimi Arundell

Written by
Jimi Arundell

 

Presenting the small stages bringing you the next big thing! Get to know the intimate venues playing host to the most exciting breakthrough bands and rising stars destined to define the sound of 2023 and beyond. Gigantic takes you to the best grassroots gigs and independent shows coming your way in the coming months!

 

 

NORTH

 

Yes, Manchester

This iconic four-room venue in Manchester has hosted some of the biggest names before they hit the big time. See acts such as Cloud Nothings, Cola, Jack Ladder & more coming soon.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Yes (The Pink Room).

CLICK HERE for full listings at Yes (Basement).

 

 

Band on the Wall, Manchester

A multi-award-winning historic live music venue, promoter and learning centre based in Manchester, celebrating the music of excellence from around the world and supporting emerging artists such as Gengahr, Mono & The Slow Show.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Band on the Wall.

 

 

The Deaf Institute, Manchester

Independent fun-loving bar & venue, spread across 3 floors. The Deaf Institute is the perfect place to catch the next best thing. Catch Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Jen Cloher & Sad Boys Club this year.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Deaf Institute.

 

 

Yellow Arch Studios, Sheffield

Independent music venue, recording studio and bar in the heart of Sheffield. Make sure you do not miss David Kitt, Meryl Streek & Henge who will be performing there soon!

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Yellow Arch Studios.

 

 

The Wardrobe, Leeds

Intimate Bar & Kitchen and Live Music & Comedy Venue in Leeds which provides a stage for talent from all over the North. Do not miss Last Time Out, Ian Prowse & Amsterdam, and Robert Jon & The Wreck.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Wardrobe.

 

 

Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

The Brudenell is a lively and fun-loving venue in Leeds that embraces music and art under a wide and diverse umbrella that has no boundaries. Catch Bleach Lab, Protomatyr & Caitlin Rose before they soar to much bigger venues.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Brudenell Social Club.

 

 

Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds

Hyde Park Book Club is at the heart of Leeds' creative arts scene and has achieved its vision in becoming an events-led, pan-arts creative hub. The Perfect spot for discovering new talent. Catch Wombo, Civic and Joshua Idehen whose shows are coming up soon!

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Hyde Park Book Club.

 

 

EAST

 

Epic Studios, Norwich

Boasting world-class sound system, lighting and visuals; Epic Studios certainly lives up to its name! Grab your tickets with Gigantic right now, to see acclaimed Californian R&B band Vintage Trouble, rock supergroup The Winery Dogs and Welsh nu-metal monsters Skindred – plus many more awesome acts.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Epic Studios.

 

 

Waterfront, Norwich

The favourite venue and club of Norwich indie kids for over a quarter of a century; a trip to Waterfront is a guaranteed good night out! Swans will be making their way there all the way from New Zealand, rapturous quintet Oh My God! It’s The Church and boisterous Yorkshire lads The Sherlocks will all hit the venue in the coming weeks.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Epic Studios.

 

 

The Nick Rayns LCR – UEA, Norwich

The Nick Rayns LCR can be found on the University of East Anglia campus. Ran by students, the doors are open to anyone who loves music and a good night out! The Reytons tickets are on sale with Gigantic right now – get yours before they go.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Epic Studios.

 

 

 

South East

 

Saint Laurence Church, Reading

Nestled in the heart of Reading; Saint Laurence Church is the former parish reaching out to the young people of the area. This year sees folk-rock superstar This Is The Kit and punk / indie rock trio Dream Wife take over, plus Heavy Pop & Dork team up for big weekender Beat Connection featuring Porridge Radio and Billie Marten as headliners.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Saint Laurence Church.

 

 

The Hope & Ruin, Brighton

Grassroots gig venue and pub The Hope & Ruin is an essential part of Brighton’s vibrant music scene. The coming weeks will see Rotterdam garage rockers Iguana Death Cult and Canadian post-punks Cola tear it up. Then later in the year, new wave Hull sextet Low Hummer will also play an unmissable show.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Hope & Ruin.

 

 

Patterns, Brighton

Providing a platform for underground club culture since 2015, Patterns is now firmly established as one of the favourite grassroots venues in the region. Check out folk songwriter Fenne Lily, Georgian garage rockers Black Lips and psyche rock outfit Ulrika Spacek plus many more unmissable shows!

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Patterns.

 

 

Green Store Door, Brighton

Green Store Door is always busy, curating up to ten varied events a week to ensure that there is always something for everyone! Grab tickets from Gigantic to see Manchester rising stars Mandy Indiana, Wizard of Wandsworth Che Lingo and enigmatic alt-rock trio Bar Italia.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Green Store Door.

 

 

The Jericho, Oxford

The Jericho takes the traditional pub and gives it a bohemian twist, and always offers a warm welcome. Get to Oxford to enjoy performances from Brighton-based rising stars Chappaqua Wrestling, Seattle indie rock three-piece Enumclaw and indie folk ensemble The People Versus.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Jericho.

 

 

The Bullingdon, Oxford

Infamous Oxford venue The Bullingdon has been serving customers for over 135 years. Join in the rich legacy when you see Cut Capers, huge pianist Billy Lockett and grungy gang Coach Party play their stage.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Bullingdon.

 

 

The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth

The Wedgewood Rooms plays home to both music and comedy gigs. Simply named The Wedge by locals; gig-goers are looking forward to shows from indie rockers Coach Party, smooth & soulful JP Cooper and reggae-informed punks Ruts DC.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Bullingdon.

 

 

The 1865, Southampton

Grassroots venues don’t get any better than The 1865 – the biggest independent stage in the whole of Southampton. Don’t miss Abba tribute/metal mash-up Tragedy, NYC hard rocker Tyketto and Essex blues rock duo When Rivers Meet.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The 1865.

 

 

 

Wales & South West 

 

Bunkhouse, Swansea

The Bunkhouse is a bar, music venue & community space situated in the back streets of Swansea city centre giving a platform for local emerging artists & large touring bands. Established in 2017 by a collective team of music lovers & misfits on the wrong side of their 20s, The Bunkhouse quickly became a staple of the music scene in South Wales as a small venue constantly punching above its weight. The perfect spot to discover emerging stars, do not miss Midnite City, Panic Shack or The Institutes this summer.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Bunkhouse.

 

 

Le Pub, Newport

Compact, buzzing bar and music venue hosting gigs by up-and-coming bands and regular comedy nights. Make sure to catch Bracco, Echo Gecco & Nature TV when they perform this spring!

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Le Pub.

 

 

The Gate Arts Centre, Cardiff

The Gate is a place of creativity & community at the heart of Roath, allowing you to enjoy the arts & discover incredible artists who have until now, been under your radar. Richard Dawson & Tunde are set to perform this May & Mick Harvey will perform this September.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Gate Arts Centre.

 

 

Thekla, Bristol

Thekla is a cargo ship which houses a music venue of the same name, moored in the Mud Dock area of Bristol's Floating Harbour, England. Thekla is the place to be for discovering emerging talent and playing host to some of the UK's best up-and-coming acts. This year Deco, Coach Party & IST IST take the stage on the ship.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Thekla.

 

 

Exchange, Bristol

Exchange is focused on supporting a wide range of musical projects and creative endeavours. There are two live rooms which play host to some of the UKs best-emerging talent. Catch The Raven Age, Lucia & The Best Boys & The Slow Show as they take to the Exchange this year.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Exchange.

 

 

The Louisiana, Bristol

The Louisiana is a world-famous live music venue with a listed building exterior in central Bristol. They host a wide range of international, national and local live acts and some might say it's a good place to discover new music before anyone else! This year you can see The Commoners/Troy Redfern, Ryan Mcmullen & Richard Walters.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Louisiana.

 

 

 

Midlands

 

The Bodega, Nottingham

Universally regarded by locals and students alike as one of the best places to discover the country’s best new bands with an intimate gig room, cosy bar, and bustling beer garden. The Bodega holds its own as a great all-rounder whilst having cemented itself a reputation for bringing world-class stadium and festival-headlining talent before they make it big. Do not miss out on the alternative dance trio Crooked Colours, indie rock duo Prima Queen & noise pop three-piece Tigercub who will be playing this year.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Bodega.

 

 

Metronome, Nottingham

As well as developing young, creative talent, Metronome is also a national venue for music, moving images, video games, live performances and spoken word. The best place to see inspiring artists. This year Welsh multi-instrumental singer/songwriter Gwenifer Raymond, Folk rock superstar Rozi Plain & Californian songwriter Jesca Hoop will be taking to the Metronome Stage. Don't Miss Out!

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Metronome.

 

 

The Old Cold Store, Nottingham

The Old Cold Store is a unique, city centre venue situated on the site of Castle Rock Brewery. This year Menace, country singer/songwriter Laura Cantrell & punk rocker turned singer-songwriter Steve Ignorant will be performing and showing The Old Cold Store what they've got!

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Old Cold Store.

 

 

The Asylum, Birmingham

The Asylum is Birmingham's finest live music venue. Purpose-built, The Asylum has been designed and built by musicians, with musicians in mind. Metalcore champions The Raven Age, noise pop trio Tigercub & metal heads Spectral Wound will be performing unmissable shows this year.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Asylum.

 

 

The Devil's Dog, Birmingham

Self-described as “Birmingham’s most brutal live-music-venue, bar, and hangout joint,” it will soon open in a derelict car showroom in Digbeth on Adderley Street. It will showcase a selection of national and local talent with a particular emphasis on heavier and more fierce genres. Discover metal legends Heriot, and Michigan metalcore band Of Virtue & Led By Lanterns this year.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at The Devil’s Dog.

 

 

Duffy's Leicester

Duffy's Bar hosts concerts for a wide range of genres from artists such as psyche rock Gaye Bikers On Acid, goth rock duo Ghost Dance & psychobilly pioneers The Meteors.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Duffy’s Leicester.

 

 

Firebug, Leicester

Leicester's thriving bar and music scene simply wouldn't be what it is today without Firebug. Since opening in 2004 it's played an essential part in supporting emerging artists in Leicester. This year, Firebug plays host to maverick songwriter BC Camplight, glam rockers Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard & Indie pop band The Primitives.

 

CLICK HERE for full listings at Firebug.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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