Sign the Big Issue petition calling for a Poverty Zero law
SIGN HERE

Live music

I couldn't find a decent music festival – so I created my own
Jess Lardner

I couldn't find a decent music festival – so I created my own

Co-director of Homestead Jess Lardner knows what a festival needs: genuine interaction, hot showers and morning Bloody Marys
'We get communities dancing': How Bradford's brass heritage still brings people together
Music

'We get communities dancing': How Bradford's brass heritage still brings people together

'The record is a snapshot': Inside Billy Mahonie’s unlikely comeback and the evolution of post-rock
Billy Mahonie live on stage
Music

'The record is a snapshot': Inside Billy Mahonie’s unlikely comeback and the evolution of post-rock

Loud music ruined my ears – but it doesn't mean I can't still enjoy a Mogwai gig
Music

Loud music ruined my ears – but it doesn't mean I can't still enjoy a Mogwai gig

Independent venues are the backbone of the live music scene – we must look after them
Sybil Bell

Independent venues are the backbone of the live music scene – we must look after them

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Plea to save UK's grassroots music venues as hundreds face closure: 'We'll all be poorer for it'
Images of musicians performing live in Hot Box, Chelmsford
Grassroots music venues

Plea to save UK's grassroots music venues as hundreds face closure: 'We'll all be poorer for it'

Big Issue's Changemakers of 2025: Culture and sport
Changemakers 2025

Big Issue's Changemakers of 2025: Culture and sport

Bingo and karaoke with Barry from EastEnders: How the UK's entertainment economy is changing
Entertainment

Bingo and karaoke with Barry from EastEnders: How the UK's entertainment economy is changing

Husband and wife Big Issue vendors: 'Just treat people how you want to be treated'
Our vendors

Husband and wife Big Issue vendors: 'Just treat people how you want to be treated'

'The Jazz Bar is too important to fail' says the couple who saved an Edinburgh institution
Venue Watch

'The Jazz Bar is too important to fail' says the couple who saved an Edinburgh institution

From 00s pop to cutting-edge electronica: Here's the best UK music festivals in summer 2024
Festival guide

From 00s pop to cutting-edge electronica: Here's the best UK music festivals in summer 2024

'When I was mentally ill, I could only listen to hard techno': Why is music so important to us?
Music

'When I was mentally ill, I could only listen to hard techno': Why is music so important to us?

Take it from me, going to gigs by yourself is liberating and life-affirming
Malcolm Jack

Take it from me, going to gigs by yourself is liberating and life-affirming

'Against the odds': How the Lubber Fiend made Newcastle's music scene exciting again
a young woman performs on stage at The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle
Venue Watch

'Against the odds': How the Lubber Fiend made Newcastle's music scene exciting again

'This is not the end': Experimental arts venue Iklectik fights to survive after shock eviction
Female experimental musician plays at Iklectik
Venue Watch

'This is not the end': Experimental arts venue Iklectik fights to survive after shock eviction

This grassroots venue brings 'astonishing' music and mental wellbeing to rural Wales
Tivoli grassroots venue north Wales - Martin Kemp onstage pointing at the crowd
Venue Watch

This grassroots venue brings 'astonishing' music and mental wellbeing to rural Wales

Grassroots venue Off the Cuff is home to UK's biggest youth open mic – and it needs your help
Band Hardillica have been performing at JOM for 2 years. Drummer Malachi has been performing as a solo drummer at JOM since 2019. His cousin Saffiyah is on vocals. Photo by Rod Main
Venue Watch

Grassroots venue Off the Cuff is home to UK's biggest youth open mic – and it needs your help

Big Issue's Venue Watch helps save Woking's only grassroots music venue: 'It's a big win'
Live band on stage at the rescued grassroots music venue Phoenix Cultural Centre
Venue Watch

Big Issue's Venue Watch helps save Woking's only grassroots music venue: 'It's a big win'

English Teacher on the power of diversity and how grassroots venues keep music from becoming boring
English Teacher - 2024's Independent Venue Week ambassadors
Music

English Teacher on the power of diversity and how grassroots venues keep music from becoming boring

Independent Venue Week 2024: Without grassroots music venues, there'd be no Madonna
Venue Watch

Independent Venue Week 2024: Without grassroots music venues, there'd be no Madonna

'No mean feat': How Leeds grassroots venue The Wardrobe defied the odds to celebrate 25 years
A young man crowdsurfing at The Wardrobe Leeds
Venue Watch

'No mean feat': How Leeds grassroots venue The Wardrobe defied the odds to celebrate 25 years

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
At least two grassroots music venues closing each week
Fatboy Slim cheers at excited audience in grassroots music venue the Adelphi
Venue Watch

At least two grassroots music venues closing each week

Save Luna: London venue fights to survive in face of crippling costs and founder's tragic passing
A female punk singer plays to an impassioned crowd at London grassroots venue Luna
Venue Watch

Save Luna: London venue fights to survive in face of crippling costs and founder's tragic passing

'You can have a life-changing experience for the price of pizza': Why Sneaky Pete's is vital to Scottish music
A packed crowd enjoying Fatherson playing at Sneaky Pete's
Venue Watch

'You can have a life-changing experience for the price of pizza': Why Sneaky Pete's is vital to Scottish music

2023 was brutal for UK music venues with at least one closing per week. We must fight to save them
Idles singer Joe Talbot performs at grassroots music venue Moles
Venue Watch

2023 was brutal for UK music venues with at least one closing per week. We must fight to save them

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.