Steve Lamacq's Independent Venue Week
Between 23 and 27 January, Steve Lamacq took his show on an epic journey - via Essex, Leeds, Oxford, Birmingham and Brighton, he found out what makes some of the smallest music venues in the country the most important, and helped raise awareness of the grassroots music scene.
Watch Steve Lamacq re-visit the venue where he saw his first ever gig
As part of Independent Venues Week, Steve catches up with the music scene in Chelmsford.
Lamacq's going on tour
Steve and the team took five locations in five days, as part of Independent Venue Week.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to support small, grassroots venues around the country, because, while a lot of them continue to thrive, we’ve seen many of them shut down and many still under threat.Steve Lamacq
Venues included:
- the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, most famous for hosting secret gigs for bands like Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs
- the Jericho Tavern in Oxford, famed for hosting Radiohead’s first proper gig
- Sticky Mikes in Brighton and The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham
- The Bassment in Chelmsford
Steve said: "Now, more than ever, it's important to support small, grassroots venues around the country, because, while a lot of them continue to thrive, we’ve seen many of them shut down and many still under threat.
"We wanted to shine a light on these great little places, which nurture new talent and act as a meeting place for music fans.
"I’ve had some of the best moments of musical life in these little venues, watching all kinds of bands, including several who’ve gone on to huge success. But there’s nothing like seeing a group at its most raw and engaging when they’re first starting out, even if they’re only playing to 100 people.”
The Venues
