Independent Venue Week is a nationwide, seven-day event dedicated to the UK's independent music and arts venues and the people who make them happen. This year, from 26 January to 1 February, it returns at a time when London's grassroots music spaces need the love. Over 30 venues across the capital are hosting one-off gigs, conversations and club nights, from historic rooms like Ronnie Scott's and Bush Hall to beloved DIY spaces such as the Sebright Arms and The Ivy House.
There's no single headline act here (though Nova Twins' sold-out Amersham Arms show on 27 January sets the tone). IVW works best as an excuse to revisit the places that quietly shape the city's music culture year-round. Tickets are mostly affordable, line-ups are eclectic, and the vibe is more about turning up than chasing hype. Pick a venue, bring a mate, buy a drink – it all counts.