Independent Venue Week is the UK’s annual seven day celebration of independent music and arts venues, and the people that own, run and work in them. More than 20 venues take part in the festivities across the country, with this number growing every year.
There’s even an American Independent Venue Week for our friends across the pond – so if you ever find yourself visiting the US, you can explore an independent music venue there, too. But, back to the UK – and Bristol’s indie venues – of which there are four involved in the celebrations taking place between January 27 and February 2, this year.
We’ve compiled a list of all of them, with more information around what they have in their diaries for this specific week, and how you can support them beyond this, too.
Do you have a favourite independent music venue in Bristol that is or isn’t featured on this list? Let us know by emailing ellie.kendall@reachplc.com and we will be sure to feature it on BristolLive in the very near future.
Lakota
Address: 6 Upper York Street, BS2 8QN
Lakota is described as: “Bristol sound, loud and clear. The spirit of the underground for three decades, Lakota offers live music and DJs, food, comedy and much more.”
The team goes on to say: “Our community is built on creativity and diversity – the site we call home is the only remaining part of the historic Stokes Croft Brewery. We’re a black-owned underground venue with a rebellious past and a reputation for breaking new ground.
“In 30 years, we’ve seen the world come and go, but we’ve always stayed true to the spirit of Bristol’s underground culture. We’re still celebrating the community that helped put us on the map, we’re still about roots, diversity and freedom, and we’ve still got the same sticky floors.
“We champion our heritage. We showcase emerging, local artists and performers. We embrace change. This is Lakota; this is our legacy.”
Shows during Independent Venue Week at Lakota
- Original Sin, January 31
- Mas Que Nada, January 31 (event has since been cancelled)
Find more events at Lakota here.
The Canteen
The Canteen at Hamilton House, Stokes Croft
(Image: David Betts Photography)
Address: 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY
The Canteen is “a cultural landmark on Bristol’s live music scene. Every year 90,000 people come to our gigs and over 300 artists/groups appear on our stage.
“The Canteen offers free, live music six nights of the week, with a diverse range of acts from open mic Hip Hop nights to Afrobeat via Latin Jazz and Folk. Since our opening in 2009 we have cemented our place amongst Bristol’s music network.
“Our diverse mix of live music every day is self-funded through bar sales and donations. With award nominations and citywide recognition, The Canteen is a place to meet, eat, drink and listen to some of Bristol’s best live music.
“Since 2020 we are proudly serving a 100 per cent vegetarian menu. All our dishes follow the seasons for fresh, nutritious and delicious food. By sourcing much of our produce from Bristol based suppliers we can cut down on food and booze miles, and help support the amazing local businesses on our doorstep.”
Shows during Independent Venue Week at The Canteen – Find a full schedule of events at The Canteen here.
The Louisiana
Bristol music venue The Louisiana
Address: Wapping Wharf Road, Bathurst Terrace, BS1 6UA
The Louisiana is described as “a 140-capacity, family-run venue that takes pride in putting on the best musicians and giving both them and the audience the perfect communion. This is something we’ve been working on for over 35 years.
The team continues: “There was a fire at The Fleece, Bristol in 1996, and two local promoters asked if they could use the room upstairs at The Louisiana instead. We said yes, and in the first week, Placebo and Super Furry Animals played here… at the time, we didn’t even have a stage.
“Gianni built a stage a week later, which was lucky because within weeks more promoters were involved and we were staging gigs on a regular basis. We’d get up-and-coming DJs in only charging people 50p entry; The Chemical Brothers played one of these and we even started doing club nights in the basement at weekends.
“Over the years, The Louisiana has been seen as a barometer for new bands. The first time The Scissor Sisters played here it was as support to a Bristol band, but by the third time, we had to escort them to the stage so they wouldn’t get mobbed. It was the same with Florence and the Machine, and The National – who first played here to 20 people and now they’re playing to 20,000. We’ve always been the first port of call for most new bands doing a national tour.
“While external promoters book the national bands that perform at The Louisiana, we also make sure the venue is a platform for homegrown talent. Lots of local acts approach us, and we try and give them slots as much as possible. If we believe a band has real talent we’ll try and support them as much as we can and recommend them for suitable national support slots and festivals too. We regularly have labels, agents and promoters asking us for tips on the best new music coming through the venue.
“We always try to look after the bands that play here, local and national, which means they have a good time and want to come back time and time again. We start by giving an unknown act a chance, and then when they go on to become massive they still want to come back to play, even though we are a small venue.
Big Jeff on stage at The Louisiana with his band The Outlines
(Image: BristolLive)
“It’s great being part of bigger, citywide events too. We’re a fringe venue at the Harbour Festival. We are also one of the eight venues for Bristol’s Dot-to-Dot Festival every May, which sees the best new bands descend on the city and play back-to-back throughout the day. It’s a music marathon, and the atmosphere is incredible.
“Despite being a popular venue with artists and audiences alike, keeping The Louisiana going as a live music venue hasn’t been without its challenges. When we started out it was the strongest time in British music history. There were lots of bands coming through and lots of money in the industry, so bands could afford to tour more. We had Coldplay here three times, and Muse took up a residency for six months.
“For a little while, there was less investment in touring and things were tough, but now the scene is recovering. Smaller record labels are springing up, the internet has been good in giving bands the freedom to set up and get themselves out there without even needing a label.
“Once again the scene in Bristol is healthy. There are lots of great musicians and songwriters coming through, like George Ezra who developed his style and sound while studying here. It’s also a city that is very supportive of music. You won’t get a better sound, on stage or off, than at the Louis.”
Shows during Independent Venue Week at The Louisiana
-
IVW In collaboration with beavertown present: Lice, blood Wizard, Leeches, The new Cut, Eva Penney band, January 27
-
Do Nothing, January 31
You can find more events at The Louisiana here.
The Love Inn
The Love Inn, Bristol
(Image: The Love Inn)
Address: 84 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY
The Love Inn is described as “a grassroots electronic music venue in the heart of Bristol’s cultural centre with a fully stacked cocktail bar and award winning burgers.”
The team says: “2024 saw us celebrating 10 years of being an open independent music venue, formed by Team Love, the people behind Love Saves the Day, Love International, Forwards Festival, Waterworks and Silver Hayes at Glastonbury. Following the 10th birthday celebrations we had a major refurbishment expanding our dancefloor and seating area and are now able to accommodate 200 people with a fully upgraded Danley Audio soundsystem.”
Not only being late-night led, The Love Inn also hosts award winning Danny’s Burger Kitchen for the early evening and has regular talks, pop up fashion and makers markets, live gigs and more.
Shows during Independent Venue Week at The Love Inn
- The Love Inn 11th Birthday Weekender, January 30-February 1
You can find more events at The Love Inn, here.