Must-Visit Music, Arts and Theatres for Independent Venue Week
It's Independent Venue Week from 26th January to 1st February, celebrating the independent music and arts venues that keep the North East and Yorkshire's creative scene alive
The Barrels
59–61 Bridge Street, Berwick TD15 1ES
The Barrels hosts gigs featuring music of all genres in its basement and serves real ales so you can keep the drinks flowing throughout its live events. Don’t miss The Mitch Laddie Band performing on 31st January if you’re into blues and soul.
The Engine Room
The Old Maltings Building, Tanners' Bank, North Shields NE30 1JH
This small but mighty underground arts and music venue is one of the UK’s Grassroots Music Venues, helping up-and-coming artists get their music out there. As well as music of all genres, they support drama, educational talks and poetry too. This January, don’t miss Newcastle’s rock collective Alice Street on the 30th and York’s alt rock band Colour of Fire on the 31st.
The Cluny
36 Lime Street, Ouseburn NE1 2PQ
At the heart of the Ouseburn Valley, The Cluny is an iconic music venue but remains whole-heartedly indie and supportive of local music. It has a good bar and kitchen too. They’ve promoted stadium bands before they reached popularity so you might just find your new favourite artist here. There are plenty of gigs planned this month including The James Hunter Six on the 28th and South Yorkshire’s Sam Scherdel on the 29th with support acts.
The Bunker CIC
29 Stockton Road, Sunderland SR2 7AQ
At The Bunker, you can rehearse, record, learn and perform all under one roof so not only is it a great place to see live music, you could have a go at creating your own too thanks to fully-equipped rehearsal spaces and an industry standard studio. Don’t miss their ‘Live at The Bunker’ sessions (but if you do, they’re filmed and you can watch all the gigs on YouTube).
NE Volume Music Bar
21D, Yarm Lane, Stockton TS18 3DR
A lockdown creation, NE Volume Music Bar has become a go-to for intimate gigs in Stockton, helping local musicians and creatives get their music on the map. There’s a well-stocked bar and a social room for relaxing. NE Volume Music Bar is celebrating Independent Venue Week with two special gigs – Mascara’s Lies, a duo based in Leeds/Teesside on the 29th, and Northern indie-rock group Weathership on the 30th.
The Forum Music Studios
Borough Road, Darlington DL1 1SG
Known for intimate gigs and tribute acts, The Forum Music Studios celebrates and showcases both emerging and established artists with a professional sound and lighting system. The venue also hosts workshops, music classes, and community-driven initiatives as well as film screenings and comedy. Don’t miss the ELO Beatles Beyond tribute act on 30th January, and there’s an open mic night on 4th February.
Crescent Lounge
1 Belvoir Terrace, Scarborough YO11 2PP
Within Scarborough’s historic Crescent Hotel, the Crescent Lounge hosts brilliant comedy nights and live music, and acts as a community hub. There’s good food here too. The weekly Acoustic Sunday Sessions shine a spotlight on a different guest artist every week, and don’t miss the open mic night on 30th January.
The Crescent
8 The Crescent, York YO24 1AW
A former working men’s club, The Crescent has been supporting community spirit and musical entertainment for more than 100 years. Now it’s a go-to for live music and drinks and there’s a games room too. Alongside stand-up comedy, January’s gigs include indie rock band Brown Horse on the 29th and An Audience With She Drew The Gun on the 30th.
Brudenell Social Club
33 Queen’s Road, Leeds LS6 1NY
Dating back to 1913 (then The Brudenell Social and Recreational Club), this remains a place to enjoy a pint and good music. Perhaps most famous for hosting secret gigs for bands like Franz Ferdinand and the Kaiser Chiefs, there’s also a games room and they stream live sport. Following the success of their sold-out Australian tour, Melbourne indie-folk rockers Pierce Brothers will perform on the 29th.
Polar Bear Music Club
229 Spring Bank, Hull HU3 1LR
In a Grade II-listed pub building Polar Bear Music Club has one of the UK’s few surviving ceramic bar counters and celebrates the area’s cultural heritage. The community crowdfunded to save it in lockdown and it reopened in 2021 as a community interest company. The club’s Independent Venue Week special will see alt/indie Flip Top Head perform on 27th January.
The Underground
9 Duke Street, Bradford BD1 3QR
The Underground opened in 2016 aiming to bring live music back to Bradford, and since then has hosted gigs for The Wombats and Lucy Spraggan amongst many others, and remains a champion for grassroots music and local talent. Throughout Independent Venue Week, The Underground will host Andy's Man Club (26th), an acoustic jam (27th) and a wrap party on 1st February.
Yellow Arch
Yellow Arch opened in 1997, in what was once an Edwardian nuts and bolts factory, with a recording studio, teaching studio and music venue. The studio has produced albums by a diverse range of artists including Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker and Kylie Minogue, and hosts gigs, open mics and raves as well as private parties. Canadian Celtic punk band The Real McKenzies will perform on the 29th and alt/indie band Sundress will return to Sheffield for their first-ever headline show at Yellow Arch on 30th January.
