Independent Venue Week is the UK’s annual weeklong celebration of independent music and arts venues and the people that own, run and work in them and Reading has plenty to choose from.
The national project with a local feel has been running since 2013, with the aim of empowering local music communities, with thousands of artists playing thousands of shows in villages, towns and cities cross the country.
It brings independent venues directly together with artists, promoters, agents, record labels and media to create a unique series of special live events across the UK and works alongside valued long term partners including Arts Council England as well as BBC 6 Music as official broadcast partner.
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The celebration encourages artists, audiences and the wider music business to recognise the vital role these independently owned venues play in the industry and local community across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
From giving artists their first experience of performing live, fans somewhere to discover and watch their favourite artists locally, they also provide those wanting a career off- stage the chance to learn their craft in a safe and secure environment.
Independent Venue Week aims to highlight 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.
Reading-based promoter Club Velocity is promoting four shows during the week to celebrate all of the above.
What is happening in Reading for Independent Venue Week?
On Tuesday, January 28, Club Velocity will be at The Face Bar in Chatham Street to celebrate the music of Gemma Rogers.
The singer songwriter, poet and playwright deals in truly great, powerful and genius songs.
The press roar for her: “AWESOME” – Loud Women, “Gemma pulls no punches” ~ Steve Lamacq – 6 Music. Amd “Cool as f*ck” ~ Louder Than War.
Support comes from Puma Theory and Jess Tuthill.
On Thursday, January 30, again at The Face Bar, Club Velocity is organising a gig from Funke and the Two-Tone Baby.
A one-man army, he is uncategorised and uncharted, and a blur of buttons and sweat.
Powerful walls of grooving, dirty electronica and a whirlwind of energy walk a fine line between 90’s dance, electro-rock and alt-blues.
Next, Club Velocity will be in Rising Sun Arts Centre in Silver Street on Friday, January 31.
This gig sees Reading supergroup Eat Daddy Eat perform.
They deal in full throttle rock ‘n’ roll greatness.
Support comes from Chroma Rays and The Stellar Thieves.
Club Velocity’s final gig for Independent Venue Week will be at The Face Bar on Sunday, February 2.
For this one, Tom Webber will be visiting.
The Oxfordshire-born singer/songwriter started busking at the age of 16.
Since his first EP Stop And Think About It was released in 2020 he has played around the country supporting the likes of Nick Lowe, Richard Hawley, Suzanne Vega and played a handful of UK Festivals like Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, Truck and WOMAD.
Inspired by music of all generations past and present, Tom’s sound is filled with both classic and contemporary influences such as Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan, Jake Bugg and Paolo Nutini.
Nightshift Magazine said of him: “A timeless star of the future”.
All four gigs showcase the best that Club Velocity does across the year.
For more details and tickets, log on to: https://wegottickets.com/ClubVelocity/
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