SOUTHAMPTON’S music scene is gearing up for Independent Venue Week, a week-long celebration of grass-root music venues around the UK.

The 23rd January marks the beginning of the 7-day-long event, which celebrates small, independent music venues and the people that run them week in, week out.

The week is supported using public funding from Arts Council England and other partners, and aims to bring together establishing artists, bloggers, promoters, venues and labels which create a series of events and gigs to be showcased at the end of January.

Sybil Bell, Founder of Independent Venue Week said: “These venues are absolutely crucial for these bands starting out in their mid to late teens, turning up with a handful of sequels.

“They understand that bands won’t pull hundreds of people, and still say ‘you can learn your craft here.’ It’s important to support these people.”

Southampton is firmly on the map when it comes to independent music, with venues such as The Joiners Arms, voted best small music venue by NME in 2013, The Brook, The Alexandra, The Talking Heads, and the 1865 on our doorstep.

The Joiners Arms, since it opened in 1968 has seen some of the most successful bands and artists play, Glastonbury headliners such as Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and MUSE.

Ricky Bates, head of Joiners promotions said: “We’ve been a part of it since it began. It’s a huge celebration of these small grass-root venues, for bands that are getting no kickback from the bigger end of the industry.

“It’s about more than the artists as well. It’s the staff, the venues, all of it. There is no music industry without these venues. They are giving artists a platform to start somewhere.

“Learning how to play with a professional PA, how to work a crowd, all the smoke, it’s the starting point for the cross-over and getting exposure.

“It’s not just about the week. It’s about trying to install the mentality that these venues need supporting all year round. So someone gets up and pays £4 to see a band they don’t know because it’s Independent Venue Week, and then like them, and keep going to see them.”

The Joiners are hosting a string of gigs for the week, including punk-pop and emo-rock band Seaway, four-piece reggae band The Skints and Get Inuit, who were named as one of Annie Mac’s ones to watch for 2016.

American metalcore band Devil You Know, whose vocalist was formerly a singer for Killswitch Engage, are also on the line up.

Other local gigs include The Dead Freights, a four piece Rock & Roll band local to Southampton, who are headlining The Brook on the 26th January, along with bands Shy Boy and Elixir.

Rob Franklin, singer and guitarist for the band said: “It’s really important that independent venues stay open because they give opportunities to unsigned bands, and keep the local music scene alive. Independent Venue Week spotlights the lesser known places people can go to see a good band.”