Published: 15 Dec 2023
Brooke Combe (image by Logan Gray) and L E M F R E C K, image courtesy of IVW and the artist.
Independent Venue Week (IVW), the UK’s annual 7-day celebration of independent music and arts venues and the people that own, run and work in them can reveal that Scottish superstar-in-waiting BROOKE COMBE and Welsh Music Prize runner-up L E M F R E C K as our final Ambassadors for 2024.
Both will perform exclusive shows during the much-loved nationwide event, which returns on 29 January 2024 when over 200 independent venues come together and encourage fans to come out and enjoy a live show. Against a string of recent closures, including the much-loved Moles club in Bath, it is more important than ever for audiences to show support for their local venue.
As previously announced, fast-rising Leeds indie band ENGLISH TEACHER are our overall Ambassadors for IVW24. During the week, they will play shows in Hebden Bridge, Hull, Margate and York.
Shortlisted for this year’s Scottish Album of the Year Awards with her mixtape, Black Is The New Gold, Brooke Combe is on the verge of big things and has received glowing endorsements from the likes of NME, The Skinny and The Scotsman. Hailing from the Midlothian town of Dalkeith, and combining influences of gospel and soul with a love of indie rock, she has performed at independent venues all across the UK, as well as major festivals including Glastonbury, TRNSMT and Neighbourhood. Produced by The Coral’s James Skelly, Brooke’s debut studio album is due in 2024.
L E M F R E C K (aka Lemarl Freckleton) is another star of the future. Coming from the South Wales city of Newport, his hard-hitting rap and production talents have won over the likes of BBC Radio 1xtra’s CassKidd and BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders. Combining a gift for storytelling with self-directed visuals, L E M F R E C K’s live performances picked up wider audiences after appearances at the Other Voices festival in Cardigan and Llais Festival in Cardiff. His well-received debut album, Blood, Sweat & Fears was released in 2023 and he recently presented a documentary on the history of Black music in Wales and the strength of its current scene.
Overall, 17 independent venues in Scotland have signed up to participate in IVW24 - ranging in size from the 60-person capacity Leith Depot to Edinburgh’s illustrious 900-person capacity Queen’s Hall. Also involved in Edinburgh are Cabaret Voltaire, La Belle Angele, Legends, Sneaky Pete’s, Stramash, The Caves, The Mash House and Whistle Binkies, alongside Barras Art & Design, McChuills, Stereo, The Cathouse, The Flying Duck and The Garage in Glasgow, and Mac Arts in Galashiels.
Wales has 13 venues taking part, including spaces in Bangor (Neuadd Ogwenn), Buckley (Tivoli), Carmarthen (CWRW), Merthyr Tydfil (The Scala), Port Talbot (Afan Ales & Fine Wines), St Davids (The Grain), Swansea (Tŷ Tawe) and Wrexham (The Parish & The Rockin’ Chair) as well as the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Porter’s, The Gate and Tiny Rebel (all in Cardiff).
During the week, Brooke will play at the stunning Mac Arts venue in Galashiels on 31 January, while L E M F R E C K plays The Gate in Cardiff on 3 February.
English Teacher, meanwhile, will perform four shows for IVW24, with gigs at The Crescent, York (28th January); The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge (29th January); Polar Bear, Hull (1st February) and WhereElse?, Margate (2nd February)
Brooke Combe said: “I’d never played a gig before and found myself signing the dotted line during lockdown. My first ever gig sold out and, from there, I continue to make my way through all the different venues in all the cities in the UK. The live element has been the biggest part of my journey as I’ve learned the art of performing, gaining more confidence and focusing on my musicality. I feel I’m definitely a better person for channelling my emotions through music and gigging. I’m made up to be a part of Independent Venue Week as I’m a live artist, and constantly want to develop this side of my career and play as many venues as I can.”
L E M F R E C K added: “These venues are so important to me as an artist. I was built on this as a kid, I didn’t have access to big venues to watch music being played. I spent my days inspired by local independent venues. Now I’m an artist in my own right, I’m obsessed with performances being special and as a venue The Gate is definitely that! Endless possibility.”
In total, 205 venues around the country will participate in IVW24, hosting hundreds of shows for artists including Richard Dawson, The Snuts, Alison Russell, Islet & Pictish Trail (Fire Records 40th anniversary show), Don Letts, David Gray, Nell Mescal, The Zutons, Buckcherry, Isabel LaRosa, Hooton Tennis Club, Margaret Glaspy, Circa Waves, Ben Ottewell, DJ Yoda, Hinds and Steve Mason
See the full list of IVW24 venues and details of shows uploaded.
All these spaces are of huge cultural importance to the depth and diversity of British music, and one of IVW24’s overriding goals is to help them attract new audiences during what - historically - is a quiet period in the calendar.
Since 2014, more than 1m tickets have been sold for IVW events.
Commenting on Independent Venue Week’s importance to the sector, IVW founder and CEO, Sybil Bell urged fans to come out in force and buy a ticket for a show:
“Whilst we pride ourselves on Independent Venue Week being a positive and celebratory week, this year has seen some of the country’s most loved venues closing, including Moles in Bath, a venue I’ve previously owned. We ask everyone to get out to shows, support these vital and independently-owned local businesses so they can continue to bring the best music and culture to your local communities. If you have friends and family you don’t know what to buy for Christmas, get them an IVW gig ticket - a night out they’ll relish whilst supporting our amazing community.”
To help music lovers do this, our new ticketing partner, Gigantic, has rolled out an IVW Gift Card offer.
Meanwhile, we are delighted to announce Creative Scotland, with backing from the National Lottery, and Sound Tech as two new partners for IVW24.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery, while Sound Tech is one of the UK’s largest independent distributors operating in the professional audio, professional lighting and musical instrument industries.
Head of Music at Creative Scotland, Alan Morrison said:
“Independent Venue Week has a vital role to play as Scotland’s live music sector builds back after the pandemic. A seven-day celebration of the unrivalled power of live performance, IVW24 strengthens the unique bond that exists between music fans and their local venues. This brilliant series of nightly gigs reconnects audiences with their favourite spaces while also giving a boost of confidence to first-timers and those who need special support to dive into the live scene. This is the eighth consecutive year that Creative Scotland has been an IVW partner, and our country could not have a better ambassador than Brooke Combe, who will follow up her recent Scottish Album of the Year Award shortlist nomination by throwing a spotlight on Mac Arts, a bastion of live music in the Borders.”
Sound Tech will support venues with offers on new and ex-demo kit, and will host a product showcase in partnership with IVW at London’s Troxy on 17 and 18 January. This will allow venues to get up close to a range of equipment and receive support and advice from the Sound Tech team.
Both join IVW24’s other previously announced partners in supporting the event: Arts Council England, Beavertown Brewery, BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Music Introducing, Creative Wales, Gigantic, and PPL.
About Independent Venue Week
Independent Venue Week (IVW) is the UK’s annual 7-day celebration of independent music & arts venues and the people that own, run and work in them.
During the week, independent venues come together with artists, promoters, agents, record labels and media to create a unique series of special live events across the U.K. to highlight the work these venues do year-round. By doing so, local communities come together and celebrate these special places with thousands of artists playing hundreds of shows in villages, towns and cities all around the UK. Working with valued long term partners including Arts Council England and Creative Wales as well as BBC Radio 6 Music as official broadcast partner, IVW is also championed by a different Ambassador every year, which have included Colin Greenwood (Radiohead), Arlo Parks, Anna Calvi, Adrian Utley (Portishead), Nadine Shah, Wolf Alice, Wet Leg and many more.
IVW offers artists, audiences and the wider music business the opportunity to recognise the vital role these hundreds of independent-owned venues play in the industry and local community across England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland. From giving artists their first experience of performing live, fans somewhere to discover and watch their favourite artists locally, they also provide those wanting a career off-stage the chance to learn their craft in a safe and secure environment.
Independent Venue Week is a nationwide initiative with a local feel, highlighting why venues are so much more than just places for live music – they are cultural hubs for learning, creativity, arts and culture more widely connecting people in their local community of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, genders, ethnicities, skills, experiences and walks of life. These venues, all local businesses, are the backbone of the live music scene and Independent Venue Week recognises all that they have done to create some of the most memorable nights of the past so they can continue to do the same in the future.
About Beavertown
Beavertown Brewery is dedicated to crafting high quality, innovative beers like Neck Oil IPA, Gamma Ray APA and Lazer Crush Alcohol Free IPA that appeal to the thirsty masses. From brewing to branding, we believe in creativity at the heart of everything we do.
About Gigantic
One of the UK’s leading ticket agencies, Gigantic deliver a spectrum of key services to the promoter, venue and festival sectors. Supplying industry leading services traversing the full live music sphere, Gigantic are integral in delivering a cutting-edge service across account management, customer care, marketing activity, plus onsite scanning and support. Key clients include Kilimanjaro Live, UK Live, FORM, Fane, Union Chapel, DHP Family, FKP Scorpio and Crosstown Concerts. Gigantic also provide venue box-office systems, and the ticketing infrastructure for DHP Family and Alt-Tickets. Alongside their extensive live music inventory, Gigantic also work with local authorities, and other key stakeholders on large scale events, ranging from Christmas light trails, family fairs, beer festivals and sporting events.
About Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
For more information please contact Adam Webb or Kitty Lester
E: adam@al1communications.co.uk / M: 07947 062360
