13 Iconic Independent Gig Venues Every Music Fan Should Visit

What better way to support Britain's incredible music history?

1. Jericho Tavern, Oxford

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Jericho Tavern is a true institution in British music, having spawned the careers of bands like Radiohead, and Supergrass in the late 1980s and early 1990s. More recent famous alumni include Bastille, Foals, and Bombay Bicycle Club. It regularly hosts well-known bands, as well as local and rising talent.

2. The Macbeth, London

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The Macbeth of Hoxton has been around for over 100 years, and during this time it's been dedicated to giving new bands a chance to perform. It's got an incredibly impressive alumni, including The XX, Florence and the Machine, and Sleigh Bells.

3. Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh

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Sneaky Pete's is a tiny, buzzing venue in the centre of Edinburgh that features the best in just-above-underground British music. With everything from emerging hip-hop to experimental acts, you're pretty much guaranteed to find something you're into happening here.

4. Soup Kitchen, Manchester

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Housed in what used to be an old boxing gym, Soup Kitchen hosts its gigs in its basement space. It regularly showcases the best in local talent, helping to support Manchester's thriving music scene.

5. Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

Courtesy of Hare & Hounds / Jack Spicer Adams Photography

Hare & Hounds is a Grade-II listed pub just south of the city centre in Kings Heath. It's the best venue in the city for both alternative rock and dance music, and its main claim to fame is that it hosted the first ever UB40 gig back in 1979.

6. The Zanzibar, Liverpool

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The Zanzibar has hosted a ton of big names in rock and alternative music, including Noel Gallagher and The Zutons. But it's most known for regularly showcasing undiscovered talent and unsigned bands on its stage.

7. Birthdays, London

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Birthdays is a stripped-back, renovated residential block in the heart of Dalston. In its (so far) short history, it's showcased some of the freshest acts in hip-hop, indie, and alternative R&B, including Skepta, Angel Haze, and Cakes Da Killa.

8. The Louisiana, Bristol

Courtesy of The Louisiana / Ania Rewieńska

The Louisiana is a family-run venue that's hosted some of the biggest names in British music in the early stages of the career. Notable alumni include Placebo, The Scissor Sisters, and The National, who first played here to a handful of people.

9. Rock City, Nottingham

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Rock City's been going for over 35 years and has hosted loads of big names and up-and-coming musicians during its time. Despite its name, acts of a lot of different genres, including dance, drum and bass, and grunge, have played on Rock City's stages.

10. King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow

Courtesy of King Tut's / Cameron James Brisbane

King Tut's is a venue that pretty much every indie band since the 1990s has performed at on their way to mainstream recognition. Famously, Oasis were spotted and signed after their gig here in 1993. Despite its now-cult status, King Tut's is still a mainstay for new and local talent to perform at.

11. The Limelight, Belfast

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The Limelight has nurtured emerging and homegrown talent across a bunch of different genres for over 30 years. A bunch of international acts have also played here, including Moby and Jeff Buckley.

12. The Leadmill, Sheffield

Courtesy of The Leadmill / Elouisa Georgiou

The Leadmill is Sheffield's longest-running music venue, and it's played host to a number of local musicians, including Pulp and Arctic Monkeys, as well as huge names in music.

13. Nambucca, London

Courtesy of Nambucca / Will Ireland

Nambucca is a intimate pub and music venue that's supported huge names in nu-folk and indie. Notable alumni include The Holloways, who actually formed at the venue, Wolf Alice, and The Kooks.

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