Across its major towns of Halifax, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, The Calder Valley reverberates through a collection of beautifully and imperfectly-formed live music venues. Together, they represent a rich past and promise a vibrant future.
The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
The world-famous Trades Club was built 100 years ago by a group of local trade unions. Now legendary on the UK gig circuit. The Guardian has deemed it ‘the hippest venue in the North’. Regularly name-dropped by iconic bands, the Trades has showcased the likes of Patti Smith, Sleaford Mods, Stereolab, Thurston Moore and Idles. More>
The Golden Lion, Todmorden
Spiritual home to the late great DJ-producer, Andrew Weatherall, The Lion in Todmorden hosts a dazzling array of eclectic electronic nights – house, dub, techno, reggae – and a barrage of underground live music – indie, folk, metal, funk, you name it. David Holmes, Utah Saints, The Orb, Groove Armada and Goldie are among the innumerable greats to have graced the place. Oh, and Jarvis Cocker! More>
The Grayston Unity, Halifax
The magnificent Grayston Unity, down-river in Halifax, is a welcoming and vibrant abode to live entertainment – of all varieties. Expect the unexpected. Noisy bands, folk troubadours, jazz collectives, poetry, open mic, creative writing classes, northern soul club-matinees, film nights and even yoga! The Grayston has two amazing rooms, one a classic low-level basement that holds 110, the other – the 16-capacity Tiny Grayston – a tightly-packed top-floor snug claiming the official title ‘UK’s smallest independent live music venue’. More>
The Puzzle Hall Inn, Sowerby Bridge
The community-owned Puzzle Hall Inn is a curiously fantastic, 17th-century building – and a hotbed for singalong acoustic folk, sub-culture open mic and devilish experimental jazz. There is a ‘free entry’ policy on all live gigs (donations to the artist welcome) and yet they still manage to book some high-calibre, eclectic international acts across a mix of genres. More>
The Blind Pig, Sowerby Bridge
Set across two floors, The Blind Pig is a lively street corner pub in the centre of Sowerby Bridge. Take the spiral staircase up to the top floor for the open-plan gig space. There’s a cracking-good sound set-up at The Pig and manager, Julie, puts on a varied mix of top live bands every weekend. More>