Independent Venue Week (IVW) is back! (29 Jan – 4 Feb 2024)

We’re gearing up for a very special week for small venues with Independent Venue Week (29 Jan-4 Feb), the UK’s annual 7-day celebration of independent music & arts venues and the people that own, run and work in them. It’s an important part of our annual programme and we love being a part of this national event with hundreds of other amazing independent venues that share our passion for championing new music and performers.

“Independent Venue Week is a nationwide initiative with a local feel, highlighting why venues are so much more than just places for live music – they are cultural hubs for learning, creativity, arts and culture more widely connecting people in their local community of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, genders, ethnicities, skills, experiences and walks of life. These venues, all local businesses, are the backbone of the live music scene and Independent Venue Week recognises all that they have done to create some of the most memorable nights of the past so they can continue to do the same in the future.” Sybil Bell CEO and Founder of IVW

We’re a small, passionate team here at NAC and we all love what we do so it’s a real pleasure to come to work and deliver our programme of events to you.

We are also very lucky in Norwich to have a great local music scene and we support this as much as possible with regular local band nights and support slots for touring acts. Some of just a few of our favourites and ones to watch are Kitty Perrin, Vieira and the Silvers, Bag of Cans, Brown Horse, Gabby Rivers and Phoebe Troup. We hope to offer new bands a springboard to progress onto bigger venues like The Waterfront, Epic Studios or the UEA and beyond!

We kick start IVW on Monday 29 Jan with Dutch indie rockers Personal Trainer with support from Real Farmer and Klittens. Tuesday 30 January we have the brilliant Circa Waves (sold out), Thursday 1 February we have Norwich-based singer singer songwriter Phoebe Troup with her 5-piece band and support from Catmilk and we finish the week on Saturday 3 February with blues revival trio GA-20 from Boston, USA with support from local band Vieria and the Silvers.

It’s so important right now to keep local venues thriving! Many small venues are closing up and down the country. It’s a tough business because we’re here to take risks, to support new artists and musicians, provide you with new, exciting experiences and give a home to scenes outside of the mainstream. Without us the music scene would be beige!

So what can you do today? Sign up to your local venues newsletters and follow them on socials. Then buy a ticket! Take a punt at something. You’re unlikely to be disappointed. Tell your friends how amazing your local venue is and encourage them to go because independent venues are for everyone!

See all our IVW events HERE

Sign up to our weekly newsletter HERE

You can download and read the IVW 10 Year Impact Report HERE.