This week, on the first episode of Steve Lamacq’s Teatime Session (Mondays, 4-7pm, on BBC Radio 6 Music), Steve was joined by Huw Stephens (Tuesdays – Fridays, 4-7pm) to announce 6 Music’s plans to celebrate Independent Venue Week 2024 – the UK’s annual, seven-day celebration of venues and the people that own, run and work in them.
From Monday 29th January – Friday 2nd February, 6 Music once again takes the tour bus around the UK, with Steve and Huw broadcasting their 4-7pm shows from a different independent venue each day, bringing listeners performances from those sites by artists including Ash, 86TVs, NewDad, Picture Parlour, English Teacher and Antony Szmierek.
Steve will be at Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast on Monday 29th January, ahead of an Independent Venue Week performance from Ash.
Huw will be presenting his show from: Whistle Binkies in Edinburgh (Tuesday 30th January) where 86TVs will perform later that night; The Fulford Arms in York (Wednesday 31st January) ahead of a gig from NewDad; Polar Bear Music Club in Hull (Thursday 1st February) where English Teacher will be playing; The Rockin’ Chair in Wrexham (Friday 2nd February) before a live set from Antony Szmierek.
The artists will join Steve and Huw during their 4-7pm shows for intimate live performances and interviews across the week.
As a part of 6 Music’s programming, listeners can attend two exclusive intimate live performances on Monday 29th January in Belfast with Ash and on Friday 2nd February in Wrexham with Antony Szmierek. Listeners can apply for free tickets via a ballot: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5XWdMQRZXJRQ8HQ841RqyWq/independent-venue-week-bbc-radio-6-music. Applications close at 23:59 on Monday 15th January. Successful applicants will be selected at random once the registration period has closed.
Also appearing at the gigs each night will be artists supported by BBC Music Introducing: Problem Patterns (Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast), Grace & The Flat Boys (Whistle Binkies, Edinburgh), Kindelan (The Fulford Arms, York), Jodie Langford (Polar Bear Music Club, Hull) and Picture Parlour (The Rockin’ Chair, Wrexham).
Steve Lamacq says: “Independent Venue Week is always a great opportunity to spotlight the importance of our smaller venues. But this year, with hundreds of grassroots venues facing up to rent increases, rising energy costs and other cost of living pressures, I think it’s even more crucial to celebrate the role they play, not just in nurturing new talent but bringing local musical communities together.
“There’ll be hundreds of gigs all over the country, from some established, or soon to be well known names, as well as a terrific range of newcomers who are well worth a look. I really hope it encourages fans to get out and see a gig and support their local promoters.”
Huw Stephens says: “Independent venues are vital places for music to thrive and exist. Where would we be without our favourite gig venues? I have packed my socks and toothbrush, and am very excited to be coming to Edinburgh, York, Hull and Wrexham, picking up from Steve in Belfast, with some of the best live artists about. It’s a tough time for a lot of venues at the moment, and I hope the week of shows from these venues can remind us all of their importance, and how special they are.”
Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, says: “At 6 Music, we’re very proud of our long-standing partnership with Independent Venue Week, as we too care passionately about providing artists with spaces to emerge and grow. I’m looking forward to a fantastic series of programmes from Steve and Huw broadcast from around the UK, full of live music and stories celebrating the important work that these venues do, all year round.”
All programmes will be available to listen to live on BBC Sounds and for 30 days after their broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music.
