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Live music

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

Independent venues are the backbone of the live music scene. We need to look after them.
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'

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
'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

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

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
The unusual story of how one Lancashire venue rose like a phoenix: 'It's a place for everybody'
Two women on guitars - Hot Wax play Sunbird Records in Darwen
venue watch

The unusual story of how one Lancashire venue rose like a phoenix: 'It's a place for everybody'

How tiny music venue The Pit at Newstead revived a former mining community: 'It's a lifeline'
Tony Wright grinning in front of an excited crowd at The Pit Newstead
venue watch

How tiny music venue The Pit at Newstead revived a former mining community: 'It's a lifeline'

Iconic venue where Oasis and Pulp cut their teeth shuts after 45 years: 'We won't be the only ones'
The Cure playing at Moles in Bath
Venue Watch

Iconic venue where Oasis and Pulp cut their teeth shuts after 45 years: 'We won't be the only ones'

Urgent campaign to save London music venue Matchstick Piehouse after landlord sends in bailiffs
A crowd applauds a band on stage at Matchstick Piehouse
venue watch

Urgent campaign to save London music venue Matchstick Piehouse after landlord sends in bailiffs