Independent Venue Week kicked off last night, and so begins the annual celebration of small music and arts venues and the people that own and run them.
IVW 2026 is, apparently, the second biggest to date; a healthy sign at a time when – as we know – small venues are feeling the pinch as never before. In total, 236 venues across the UK are taking part, with over 700 gigs and events lined up over the week - a 10% increase from 2025.
