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Independent Venue Week expands to the US

The inaugural Independent Venue Week US, three years in the making, will take over venues across the country this July, as its UK cousin wraps up another successful year

By IQ on 05 Feb 2018

IVW venue Bush Hall in London

IVW venue Bush Hall in London


image © Sean Hood

Independent Venue Week, the seven-day celebration of grassroots music venues that debuted in the UK in 2014, is to launch in the United States this summer.

The inaugural Independent Venue Week US runs from 9 to 15 July 2018, and will take place in venues across the entire US, although Independent Venue Week (IVW) founder Sybil Bell says the event will continue to have a “local feel” in its debut run stateside.

Cities, venues and performers will be announced in the coming months.

“Having run Independent Venue Week in the UK for five amazing years, we felt ready to explore an international territory,” comments Bell. “We’ve been speaking to the industry and partners across the US for around three years, and now finally feels like the right time to bring this celebration to America.

“We’re beyond excited to bring IVW overseas”

“Bands still need to play and tour small venues here in order to get a foothold. They need to learn their craft before playing bigger shows in bigger venues. The industry still needs artists to start small and build up as they get better. And those working behind the scene also need to start small. Local communities too need somewhere on their doorsteps that knows how to put live music on.

“With five years under our belts in the UK, we’ve learned a lot about what the venues gain from the project and what matters to them. Speaking to the industry for the past few years, we believe that these same things matter in the US, so we’re beyond excited to bring IVW overseas, and for the industry and public to celebrate the vital work the venues do.”

The fifth Independent Venue Week UK wrapped up on Sunday, and included performances from Gaz Coombes, Frank Turner, Skinny Girl Diet, Baby Strange, Inheaven, Anteros and many more.

 


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