Culture Talk

Small venues are where music actually lives

Musician here, so I'm biased. But I've been thinking about how much of the live music conversation is about stadium tours and ticket prices, and how little is about the 150-capacity rooms where everyone actually starts.

Those rooms are where you hear something before it's polished. Where the sound is a bit rubbish and the floor is sticky and it's somehow the best night of your year. And a lot of them are struggling with rents and costs.

When was the last time you went to a tiny gig? And what's the best small venue you've been to?