Details have been announced of Independent Venue Week (IVW), which returns for its seventh consecutive year from January 27 to February 2.
More than 230 venues have signed up to take part in the seven day celebration of independent music venues around the UK. Calvi (pictured) has previously been announced as IVW 2020 ambassador while, for the first time, there are two additional ambassadors for the nations, BBC Radio 1 presenter, Huw Stephens (Wales) and BBC Radio Scotland presenter, Vic Galloway (Scotland).
We're trying to emphasise just how important local venues can be in providing a stage for new artists on their way to bigger success
Steve Lamacq
BBC Radio 6 Music
A key part of the week will be the BBC 6 Homecoming Tour with Steve Lamacq, which will see Lamacq take his BBC Radio 6 Music show to five UK cities – Newcastle, Sheffield, Cardiff, Exeter and London – celebrating homegrown music venues. Lamacq will welcome Nadine Shah, Self Esteem, Gruff Rhys, Frank Turner, and Anna Calvi, from 4-7pm on January 27-31.
Lamacq said: “January can be a make or break time for small venues, so it’s terrific to be involved in Independent Venue Week again, which was launched specifically to support these places and the artists who thrive in them. This time we’re trying to emphasise just how important local venues can be in providing a stage for new artists on their way to bigger success, by taking some of our favourite musicians back to the haunts where they first plied their trade and began honing their songs.”
On the final stop of the tour on Friday, January 31, Lamacq will broadcast his 6 Music show live inside The Windmill Brixton, where he be joined by Calvi for an intimate live performance.
Other tours and shows will include BC Camplight, Pigs x7, TOY, Sinead O’Brien, Demob Happy, Toyah Wilcox, Stereo MC’s Twin Atlantic, Morcheeba, Goat Girl, Black Country New Road and Raging Speedhorn.
The event is funded in partnership with Arts Council England, Arts Council Wales, Creative Scotland, BBC 6 Music, BBC Sounds, Fred Perry, Harman, Musicians Union, PPL, PRS For Music, Yamaha and Yorkshire Tea.
The week before sees the release of IVW’s feature documentary, The Long and Winding Road, with Radiohead drummer Philip Selway. The documentary, which premieres at London's Bush Hall on Tuesday, January 21, was filmed at the 100 Club, John Peel Centre, Moles Club Bath, Brudenell Social Club, The Boileroom, The New Adelphi, The Trades Club Hebden Bridge and The Windmill Brixton, among others.
“Going on the road trip for Independent Venue Week, I was able to reconnect with the venues and people that I came across in the early days of touring with Radiohead," said Selway. "It gave me a greater insight into the highly motivated and inspirational communities that make these venues happen. They truly are the backbone and wellspring of music in the UK.”
To further celebrate the UK's live music scene, IVW will be releasing their second vinyl-only live album, featuring a collection of standout acts from 2019’s Independent Venue Week including Cancer Bats, John Paul, Pip Blom, Public Service Broadcasting, Rozi Plain, Talk Show, The Blinders and This Is The Kit.
Limited to only 250 units, the double gatefold, 180g record will be released by I Like The Sound Of That, the label of IVW’s commercial arm on Friday, January 24 and only available in UK stores.
