Established in 2013 by Sybil Bell, former owner of the venue Moles in Bath, Independent Venue Week is a seven-day initiative that aims to champion the UK’s independent arts and music scene.
For the first campaign, in January 2014, Sybil partnered with 17 small, independent venues. Now in its 12th year, IVW has been responsible for over 5,000 gigs in all and helped sell more than a million tickets.
IVW has appointed a number of official ambassadors over the years, including Arlo Parks, Nadine Shah, Wolf Alice, Anna Calvin and Wet Leg. This year, they have chosen Gwenno, Yolanda Brown and rEDOLENT.
Here in the Calder Valley, we are blessed to have a number of vibrant grassroots venues: the world-renowned Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, The Golden Lion in Todmorden, The Grayston Unity in Halifax and The Puzzle and The Blind Pig, both in Sowerby Bridge. On the fringes we have many more as well, most notably The Parish in nearby Huddersfield.
But we shouldn’t presume any of these are on a safe financial footing. Far from it. Increased rent and utilities, a lack of funding, a change in drinking habits and the growth of arena tours have all contributed to the collective threat facing small venues, which are the genesis and creative future of our entire music industry.
A 2023 report revealed that 125 UK venues were forced to shut their doors in that year alone. Moles in Bath was one of them. A further 350 were deemed ‘at risk’ by the Music Venue Trust. Average annual profits sat at a meagre 0.5%. And the challenges are recognised as particularly fierce in less urban areas, like ours, outside the major cities.
Thankfully, there are initiatives like IVW that help, to some extent, redress the balance and give our grassroots music scene a fighting chance. Our local venues are making the most of the opportunity.
The Trades Club always craft a stunning line-up for IVW. Last year, they delivered sold out shows from English Teacher, Hinds and Personal Trainer. This year, they have mixed beloved local talent in the shape of The Lounge Society with DIY alt-noise outfit LIFE from Hull and US songwriter Ryley Walker, plus two dates from the mighty West African electro-funksters Ibibio Sound Machine.
Meanwhile, The Grayston Unity has pulled in infectious indie-dance thrill-seekers Home Counties, blues-rock songwriter Chantel McGregor, lovable Welsh punk duo The Bug Club – supported by exciting new local band Grow – and chaotic, contemporary jazz from Vipertime.
In Todmorden, The Golden Lion plays host to Dirty Circus, a high-energy Wigan band once signed to Sony. Formerly a six-piece touting a raucous brand of immersive indie-rock – and supporting the likes of Happy Mondays – Dirty Circus are now on the rise again having reinvented themselves as an all-action trio carving out astute electro hooks and slick live beats.
In Sowerby Bridge, The Blind Pig hosts Gevaudan Dogs, Goo, The Tall Trees and James Holt, while The Puzzle welcomes The Sylvie Rose Quintet, Crysalid Homo and Apollo House.
In Huddersfield, The Parish have a rich line-up featuring Keg, Pet Needs, Trip Westerns, Random Hand, Scott Lavene and CVC, while the Northern Quarter has Dirty Blonde, Velvet Hands, Ultimate Thunder and Alien Chicks.
Moving outwards, further highlights in the Yorkshire region include Big Special, Adult DVD, Do Nothing, The Rifles and Utah Saints.
For the latest local listings, go to DirtySunbeams.com/live.
Leave a Reply