There’s nothing like a really good gig to help you fully disconnect from the drudge of the nine-to-five. But it’s not just about who’s playing. Lifelong memories are made when the tunes and the atmosphere tie together in perfect harmony, and the venue plays a huge part. So, from the quality of acoustics to the crowds they attract, Time Out has curated a list of the UK’s very best music venues, with a little help from some legendary British artists who have been playing live for over a decade.
Taking the number one spot was Glasgow’s legendary star-clad, neon-signed venue, Barrowland Ballroom, chosen by New Order guitarist Phil Cunningham, Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite and Leftfield’s Neil Barnes. Known for its immaculate acoustics and unique sprung dance floor, Barrowlands comes very rough and ready but that is what makes it so beloved by artists and audiences alike.
Neil Barnes said that Barrowlands occupies a special place for him ‘because of the people who go to gigs there. They seem to just be more open to the vibe of the music, more ready to let themselves go and enjoy the experience.’
In second place was London’s Palladium, an iconic building in the centre of the capital that has hosted Judy Garland and the Rolling Stones among many, many other greats. John Cooper Clarke told Time Out that it is the ‘gold standard of all gigs’ while Dani Filth (of Cradle of Filth) added that it ‘looks prestigious, gorgeous and iconic, everyone is very well looked after there’.
Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff came third in the ranking. Welsh musician Gwenno told us that she doesn’t know what she would do without this grassroots venue, which proudly platforms homegrown acts and Welsh-language music.
Next up was another esteemed London venue, the O2 Academy Brixton which was chosen by Skin, Skunk Anansie. She admitted that though it takes some work to get the sound just right, once you do ‘you’ll see everybody – even at the top of the rafters – jumping up and down. It’s a phoenix that has to be trained.’ A campaign is currently under way to keep the venue open following a fatal crowd crush that happened last December. Skin added that the venue has ‘risen from the ashes a few times, and I truly hope that everyone involved has learned from its recent troubles and that it will rise again’.
Completing the top five was Mountford Hall, which sits within the Liverpool Guild of Students building. It was chosen by Dan Haggis from The Wombats who described it as a ‘perfect vibe’ and recalled his most recent string of gigs there, saying ‘every night had the best, sweatiest party atmosphere imaginable’.
See our full list of the UK’s 17 best music venues and what musicians had to say about them here.