As the weekend creeps into view, we’re celebrating the events of Independent Venue Week 2025 Day Four. Morale was sky-high for the #IVW25 team on Thursday, who yet again witnessed some unforgettable shows take place in independent venues.
Everybody remembers their first show at The Ivy House in South London. For one of our team members, last night couldn’t have been a more special occasion to visit the esteemed venue for the first time. From the outside, looking like a traditional pub down a residential street in Peckham, the Ivy House is home to an impressive ballroom hosting a huge variety of events and artists across its lifetime. With a welcoming and friendly aura, it’s no surprise that so many bands are desperate to put on shows here, especially with the venue’s many K9 visitors, pizza menu, and excellent pint selection. When we heard that indie-alt trio Honeyglaze were billed as the “Secret Headliners” for an #IVW25 show with Oscar Browne and Watch Paint Dry, we couldn’t resist attending the gig.
Honeyglaze at The Ivy House
Playing in-the-round with an audience in front, behind and around you is an extremely bold choice, but it paid off for all three artists last night. First on the line-up was Watch Paint Dry, the musical alias of Elsie Plimmer, who presented us with a hauntingly beautiful set of folk sounds, forcing the crowd into stunned silence. Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Oscar Browne followed with a full-band set, taking us through the songs on his exceptional debut EP If Only. Renowned for his intelligent lyricism and instrumental arrangements, the IVW team couldn’t wait to see how the artist would breathe life into his recordings on stage, and they certainly translated well. Browne is definitely one to watch this year. Finally, Ivy House patriots Honeyglaze joined us in the centre of the ballroom, gracing us with songs from their sophomore album Real Deal. It’s no wonder that their upcoming headline tour has already sold out, because if they deliver in the manner that they did last night, then every audience is in for a treat. The IVW team felt incredibly lucky to have witnessed this one-off performance, and we’re sure that Thursday night at the Ivy House was an experience that will stay with everyone in the room forever.
Magic Numbers at Bedford Esquires
A few hundred miles away, the IVW team also caught alt-rock quartet Magic Numbers at Bedford Esquires in the East of England for their sold-out headline show. A much-loved independent venue in Bedford, the music venue has hosted the likes of Coldplay, Biffy Clyro, Muse and Kae Tempest across its 30 years in operation. Its iconic decor and signage made it a must-visit spot for the IVW team, and it proved itself to be the perfect venue for Magic Numbers’ anticipated headline, supported by David Ford. The venue staff seemed equally proud of the night’s events, beaming ear-to-ear and even having a laugh with us at the bar. There’s nothing better than watching a band that truly feels welcome in the venue they’re playing, and this combined with happy venue staff and an enthusiastic crowd is the perfect recipe for a memorable Independent Venue Week night.
Terrorvision at Burdenell Social Club
We returned to the Brudenell Social Club later that evening as our final stop on the #IVW25 Day Four tour, as our partners Beavertown presented an incredibly exciting show with headliners Terrorvision. Perhaps the best part about the famous Leeds venue, apart from its giant disco balls, overwhelming supply of Guinness, and pies, is its double concert room status. No really – punters can watch two gigs at once if they so desire as the venue often holds events in both rooms at the same time! Terrorvision took over Brudenell’s second room last night, taking us back to the early 1990s with their explosive electronic greatest hits. Music is the most powerful medium of bringing people together, and the melting-pot of generations in the venue’s 250 capacity room was an inspiring sight to behold. It just goes to show that no matter a person’s age, they can discover the sounds of generations years before their own and find a home there. With the Beavertown beers in full-flow, and the dad-dancing fully embraced, our final stop of the night in West Yorkshire couldn’t have been a better end to another great #IVW25 day.
With the weekend on the horizon, there’s no stopping the Independent Venue Week festivities. Make sure to tune back in on Saturday morning to hear about the IVW team’s whereabouts on Day Five of #IVW25.
If you’re hungry for more #IVW25 news, check out some of the other coverage we received yesterday in the links below, and don’t forget to follow us on social media.