85 Venues with Frank Turner as Ambassador
Monday 26th Jan – Sunday 2nd Feb 2015
Following a hugely successful first year, Independent Venue Week is back in 2015 with 5 times as many venues taking part all around the UK. Frank Turner has taken over the mantle as this year’s Ambassador from Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood.
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England, Independent Venue Week is a 7 day long series of gigs running from 26th January – 1st February 2015.
At least 85 venues will be participating with shows across the 7 nights some of which are being curated by a growing number of industry partners. This year, these include BBC Introducing, Xfm, Rough Trade, Domino, Noisey, Boiler Room, Communion, Huw Stephens, 13 Artists, The 405, Fierce Panda and Club Fandango. Also curating 2 nights is Xtra Mile, Frank Turners label and Frank will be headlining 2 special shows for IVW, one of which is at 93 Feet East where he played his first ever gig.
“It’s great to see Independent Venue Week back again for a second year and with so many more venues taking part. There’s been so much support recently for the work these places do and opportunities they offer young and more established artist. It’s vital we all celebrate their existence during Independent Venue Week and do what we can to support them so they are still around for years to come.”
This year’s Independent Venue Week has also attracted some other well-known artists including Peace, Seth Lakeman, Andrew Weatherall, White Fence, Edwyn Collins, The Subways, The Blockheads, Frankie & The Heartstrings with more to be announced.
“Independent music venues are an invaluable part of our national music ecology” Helen Sprott, Director, Music at Arts Council England said. “They are often the places where people across England first experience live music and for many years these venues have also provided the vascular system by which artists have been able to tour the nation. It is this dual role, nurturing both audiences and talent, that sits at the heart of Independent Venue Week and we are delighted to be supporting this celebration of grassroots music through our Grants for the Arts programme.”
Further support from the music industry has come, once again, from PRS for Music, UK Music and The Musicians Union. Speaking on behalf of PRS for Music, their Head of Marketing Paul Sims said “We’re delighted to be backing Independent Venue Week for a second year. These venues are the lifeblood of the live music scene and our many members who perform there. Up and down the country night after night, they provide a crucial platform to new and breaking acts to hone their stagecraft and to try out the songs they have written in front of an audience of live music fans.”
Independent venues sit at the heart of their local community, providing a vital lifeline to upcoming artists early in their careers whilst bringing together those fans who are passionate about live music. With more and more small to medium sized venues continuing to close around the country, Independent Venue Week supports those venues that play such a significant role to musicians and fans alike.
“For us to grow fivefold in just one year is amazing and shows just how strongly people feel, from all across the industry, about these venues and the role they play both to breaking and touring artists and to local fans all around the country” said co-founder Sybil Bell. “It’s great to be back again promoting a nationwide, week long program of gigs with such a strong list of venues, artists and partners. We’re excited to help make January a really great time for music fans to go to their local venue and see some great live music and hope they continue to support their venues throughout the year.”
Details of all participating venues can be found at the main website independentvenueweek.com. Dates and ticket links will go live on the site as shows are confirmed and more gigs, artists and partners will be announced over the coming days and weeks through IVW social media channels.
www.independentvenueweek.com
www.facebook.com/independentvenueweek
Twitter; @IVW_UK #IVW15
