Find your Live Music Venue in London

London’s live music venues have always played a huge role in supporting British music. Pubs form the bedrock of London’s local music scene, with bars, music clubs and festival venues also providing space for emerging and established performers. Small music venues are especially important for unsigned bands and musicians looking to start their live careers, as they’re an essential platform from which talent can grow.

Whether you’re planning a gig, concert or festival, #tagvenue is here to make your life a little easier – just check out our collection of London’s best pubs, music bars, gig venues, outdoor event spaces, venues with a stage, entertainment venues and arenas. Our smart venue search engine allows you to enquire online 24/7 and compare quotes from your preferred venues.

Tickets sold out many weeks in advance, extensive social media coverage, a lot of buzz in the media – this is probably the perfect scenario for the concert you’re organising. Finding the right concert venue is an essential part of the plan and #tagvenue is here to help you with that task, no matter if you’re searching for a concert hall in central London, a pub for a small performance or a place for a punk gig in Camden Town.

Before scouting for a venue, come up with a few workable dates you’d be happy with for your show (and if you’re in a band, make sure everyone’s on board with your choices). To give yourself the best chance of a good turnout, remember to check what else is going on that week (especially music events of the same genre, as well as local and national sporting events). You should also aim to book your venue as early as you can, as this will give you more time to organise equipment rental as well as promote your event.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential spaces, organise a handful of site visits so you can get a feel for the venues and the way they’re managed.

Things to consider when hiring a live music venue:

• your budget

• the location you’d like the venue to be located in (east London, west London, the heart of the city, etc.)

• whether the type of music you play is a natural fit for that venue (i.e. don’t have a metal gig in a jazz venue)

• the age demographic of your audience (if your audience consists largely of teenagers, there’s no point booking an 18+ venue)

• the maximum capacity of the venue (remember to look for a venue you can fill – it’s always better to sell out a 200-capacity room than play a 500-capacity venue and have it two-thirds empty)

• whether the venue has enough floor space/suitable staging (make sure the staging can safely support everything that will be happening in your show)

• whether the lighting is up to scratch

• whether the venue employs a professional sound engineer, and what the venue will provide technically

• whether the venue has a green room

• whether the venue has secure parking for a bus or van

• whether the venue is going to do anything to promote your show (as well as what promo you’re expected to do yourself)

• whether the venue sells advanced tickets (and if you can get them set up for your show)

• what time you can load-in and soundcheck

• what time you can you open the door

• what time your show needs to end

• whether the venue has any special rules

• whether there’s any flexibility in the hire fee

• whether the venue has a good reputation with both patrons and performers
  
  

London’s live music circuit is an integral part of the cultural scene in the UK. If you’re planning a show in the city for the first time and aren’t quite sure where to start, read on for some top tips and tricks.

Tips for organising a live music gig, festival or performance:

• introduce yourself to the sound engineer and door staff, and check in with them throughout your event to make sure things are running smoothly

• if more than one band or performer is playing, schedule the most popular act to play last and the least popular act to play first

• establish your gear requirements (if several bands are playing, check whether they can share some of their gear)

• leave fifteen minutes between each performance for setting up (and prepare music to play during the breaks)

• if you’re planning an outdoor event, make a backup plan in case of rain

• purchase event insurance
  
  

No matter if you’re into electronica or Balkan folk, planning an open mic night or a summer music festival, or you’re an up-and-coming DJ or budding music promoter booking your first gig, there’s a live music venue in London that’s just right for you. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to spend an evening enjoying some awesome tunes!