Over 110 independent UK venues are set to take part
UK - Independent Venue Week 2021 (25 - 31 January) has announced the full schedule for its eighth edition, which will take place digitally this year due to the on-going pandemic. Over 141 virtual events are set to take place across more than 110 venues around the UK that have all signed up to take part by playing host to performances, ‘In Conversation’ interviews, panel discussions with industry professionals, and the official IVW Quiz hosted by Duglas Stewart of BMX Bandits.
The week will also see the online premiere screening of On The Road with Independent Venue Week, with a live Q&A hosted by BBC 6 Music. The feature-length documentary, which counts Funktion One and Universal Pixels amongst its supporters, was filmed over two years with Philip Selway (Radiohead) and goes to the heart of independent music venues across the country, meeting those who work and play in them. It includes interviews with Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Adrian Utley (Portishead), Fatboy Slim, Nadine Shah, IDLES, Novelist, Richard Hawley, Pip Blom, Big Jeff and more, plus venue owners and operators.
Music Feeds festival is the latest official partnership for the week bringing an impressive line-up of performances from the likes of Sam Smith, Liam Gallagher, Fontaines D.C + many more. Ticket prices vary and can be purchased here.
Independent Venue Week's full schedule can be found here, with industry-relevant panel discussion highlights including: The Future of the Live Community (Thurs 28 Jan at 5pm). “While there may be light at the end of the tunnel as the COVID vaccines are rolled out, the live music industry is currently still in crisis mode,” say the organisers. “How can the community continue to work together to mitigate the impact as COVID restrictions extend? And looking beyond the pandemic, what will the live industry look like when it returns? What infrastructure, talent and independent live music businesses will the industry have lost? And will the rise of live streaming and other new digital technologies change the live music experience and the live music business forever?” Guests for the session include: Rev Moose - managing partner, Marauder and co-founder, NIVA; Ric Salmon, partner, ATC and CEO, Driift - and more.
Also of interest will be The Night Time Economy Forum, hosted by the Night Time Industry Association (NTIA), taking pace 26 January at 1pm. The session is described as: “An opportunity for business owners and managers to proactively discuss and debate key issues surrounding COVID-19, Licensing, insurance, exit strategy and sustainability over the next 12 months and beyond. The NTIA works with the Government via DCMS and BEIS, looking at protocols for the safe exit of the hospitality industry, in particular the night-time and events sector businesses post-lockdown. NTIA has formed an All Party Political Group for the Night Time Economy supported by 35 Westminster MPs, looking at driving for further financial support for the night time sector.
Independent Music Week is held in partnership with Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, See Tickets, Yamaha, Fred Perry, PPL, The Musician’s Union, The F List, and Loadin.com. Artists taking part in the week-long event include: Amy Macdonald, Blossoms, Bombay Bicycle Club, Chubby and the Gang, Cowgirl, Dry Cleaning, Fontaines D.C. Frank Turner, Gerry Lyons, Idles, Johnny Marr, New Pagans, Sam Smith, Simone Butler (Primal Scream), Skin, Peter Selway (Radiohead), Young Knives and more.

To view all performances taking place across IVW, please visit: independentvenueweek.com/uk/ivw21-schedule

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