Our guest blogger, Shaun Curran, reached out to people in the music industry and asked them about their favourite venues across the UK. Here are their personal accounts of what their favourite venues mean to them.

The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge – Jane Weaver, singer-songwriter

It looks like an old refurbished club and has not been modernised at all. And I love it because it’s really at the hub of the community in Hebden. I’ve played there a few times, and I’ve been to gigs there too. My husband Andy Votel has DJ’d there before bands, so that’s why I first went.

It’s just outside of Manchester so it feels like you’re in the country, and it can feel like a little holiday. But it’s full of local people and it’s a great place to be at the weekend. For a band of musicians, it’s a great place to play – there’s a great element of support from the local community. When you get there as an artist they make you a cup of tea and give you a biscuit, and they’ll make you a Thai curry. It’s not always like that!

It was my favourite place to play on my last tour, because of the crowd. The sound is always great, but it’s the crowd I really love. It’s a bohemian crowd, quite free-thinking and appreciative of music. People really get into it and freak out and create an atmosphere. They aren’t frightened to express themselves, unlike at some bigger gigs.

It reminds me of my youth, so there is a bit of a nostalgia thing too. It’s always a great experience. It’s about what connection and music should be about, that sense of escapism.

Leaf, Liverpool – Roxanne de Bastion, singer-songwriter

Leaf appeared and changed the ‘Bold Street Shuffle’ forever. It’s really hard to walk past it without being pulled in. It’s one of my favourite independent music venues in the UK, mostly because it’s got so much character and yet is so versatile. The upstairs space looks a bit like a dance hall from a bygone era with the wooden floorboard and high ceilings. It can accommodate all sorts of live music and moods, morphing from a pin-drop theatre to a sweaty mosh pit seamlessly from one night to the next.

I got to play at Leaf twice last year, which was on my ‘to do’ list for so long. The first time was as part of my album launch tour, and the second was alongside some of my favourite local musicians as part of a ’50 Years of Sgt. Pepper’ charity concert I organised. Both nights were amazing for different reasons.

The stage is good, the sound is great, and it’s even okay that the backstage area is down a rickety staircase – there have almost been a few Spinal Tap ‘rock n roll’ moments. What I really love about Leaf is that it has something to offer at any time of day. When I lived in Liverpool, I’d hang out there all the time, be it for a laptop and coffee admin session, for a night out, a hangover breakfast, or for launching my album.

I really don’t think there are many places that can tick all those boxes. Whatever the team behind Leaf are doing, it’s working and they’ve recently opened a branch in Manchester. I haven’t been, but I hope it’s a magical as the one behind that glass front on Bold Street.

Village Underground, London – Jeremy Abbott aka Funster

The venue I’m really into is the Village Underground. It’s only one room but it’s a big warehouse – their live shows are great and there’s a proper effort to make sure the club is well thought out from top to bottom. The sound system is so on point, and parties like Fuse, that runs every Sunday, and Superstition, which is always great techno, bring the best out of the venue.

Sunday clubbing is on the up and to see a club move like that, and command a room that size on a Sunday with people locked into what’s happening, speaks volumes for the venue. I’ve played there a few times with the Mixmag parties. I played with DJ Bone and Floorplan, which was really big. It’s good to be in the crowd there too, but when you’re DJing it’s on a different level.

The monitors are so good, and they’ve got a really well-programmed sound system. It’s one of the few places in London where you feel the bass hit you – especially warming up for someone like DJ Bone. They always do really good gigs and live shows too – the best thing I ever saw there was Four Tet, which was a great show and actually one of the best shows I have seen full stop! They’re always pushing really good stuff, and they’ve applied for a late licence which will mean even bigger and better things for them.

Manchester Academy, Manchester – Rob Kerford, MD Sonic PR

There are loads of venues I love, some like the Roadhouse and Hacienda which have gone now, but Manchester Academy is my favourite. I’ve just seen such brilliant gigs there, some really special ones. I’ve seen Davie Bowie, Prince and Nirvana, just as Nevermind was out. I actually worked on Bowie’s press during his Earthling tour and got to meet him at the Academy, so that will always be a special memory! He was really nice.

As for the actual venue itself, it just always puts on the best stuff. The sound is always great, you can get a drink quite easily (which is important!), and you tend to be able to just walk down the sides and get to the front if you want. Because it’s the same location as the student union, it feels right at the heart of Manchester.

I like all the other smaller venues next door, the Academy 2,3 and 4 as they are now. There’s a ready-made progression for bands there, as you can work up from Academy 3 to 1. It’s a training ground for bands. All four are great venues, but Academy 1 is so special.

Conclusion

People’s favourite venues mean a lot to them – they are more than just a space. They are places to go for escapism, for memories, or just for a guaranteed good time!

As you plan your events for this year, think about your venue choices and how they may impact your ability to sell-out.  To start a conversation around new venue options, visit EventTribe and check out our guide to streamlining your event’s venue management.