London's top independent music venues

For new talent, the UK's smaller stages are essential when it comes to honing their musical skills. 

This is why we're such fans of Independent Venue Week.

The initiative, which celebrates its sixth year in 2019, is a seven-day celebration of the UK's grassroots scene.

It will see venues along with breaking and established artists, promoters, labels, media, bloggers and tastemakers coming together for a nationwide run of gigs. To mark the week, we asked ICMP staff, students and artists for their favourite London venues... 

The Union Chapel

Chosen by BA Songwriting alumna Aislin Evans 

The stained glass work and architecture in Union Chapel bring music to life in such a different way to your standard venue.

Nothing beats the reverb in places of worship. I saw Aurora there and it basically changed my life."

The Bedford 

Chosen by ICMP Head of Songwriting Sophie Daniels 

Run by local legend and good friend of ICMP, Tony Moore, this venue has a long history of supporting and promoting emerging acts who write their own material. It has recently been through a refit and has fantastic food and lovely rooms. The consistent approach you will get with respect to the quality of the creative material is second to none. Sound is always great and you can be sure you will see interesting acts who may be big news in the not too distant future. Ed Sheeran played there early in his career.

Old Queen’s Head 

Chosen by James Brister, ICMP Industry Liason Executive and Artist Manager 

I have seen early shows from Mumford & Sons, Lianne La Havas and countless others. It has that lounge feel but with a bit of an edge which, as far as I’m concerned, has created some fantastic atmospheres. Over the years, it has been a real hub for musicians and some fantastic bands/acts/artists have developed through there.

Koko

Chosen by Malcolm 'Bubba' McCarthy 

I’ve played it so many times, it kind of feels like home. The crowd is always electric.

At Koko, people are close enough so that you can see the whites in their eyes. It’s a perfect size venue when it’s full. You can feel people rocking out with you."

The 100 Club

Chosen by alumna and ICMP tutor Francesca Confortini

I would say The 100 Club in Oxford Street is one of my favourites as it's such a historical place. It's been going for the past 80 years hosting literally everyone from the swing bands in the forties to The Rolling Stones in the seventies and secret gigs of big artists in the last decades (Oasis, Primal Scream etc). It's also one of the most central music venues in town.  

Fiddler's Elbow

Chosen by James Rees, Deputy Programme Leader for Music Production 

I’ve played there a few times and also watched a few gigs there, it’s fun to play and the sound is usually pretty good. I’ve chosen it because they are so accommodating for new and young musicians looking to get gigging experience in London. In my previous job as a Music Performance Course Manager we always used the Fiddler’s as the venue for our student gigs, they really are one of the few remaining ‘old school’ venues. Many similar grassroots venues have closed down in recent years, including Kilburn’s own Good Ship, and I’m certain The Fiddler’s  don’t make a lot of money but they have fought to stay open to provide opportunities for young musicians perform. It’s a bit rough and ready and can get a bit sweaty if they pull a good crowd in and that’s what I like about it. Certainly reminds me of some of the venues I played when I was growing up in the West Midlands. 

Aces & Eights

Chosen by Dave Roberts, ICMP Industry Liaison Executive 

Many of my favourite indie venues have disappeared over the years - The Astoria, 12 Bar Club, Luminaire (above Savers on Kilburn High Road!) - which is why we should be supporting the existing ones as much as we can.  For that reason I'm going for a relatively new venue, Aces & Eights in Tufnell Park.  It's a tiny basement underneath a pizza parlour, where they serve wicked pizza! 

The decor is fantastic, like a 1950s boudoir, the sound is great, and they've got neon lights.  What more could you ask for?" 

The Windmill

Chosen by ICMP Student President Nick Gauntlett

I quite like Notting Hill Arts Club. Dingwalls in Camden is also great. Also The Windmill in Brixton is a nice, raw, out of the way and characterful venue. 

The Underbelly 

Chosen by ICMP Music Business student Gretchin 

I think The Underbelly has been one of my favourites to play so far! It’s intimate but has such a great vibe. 

Visit independentvenueweek.com to find out more.