MMF members to decide Live Venue Music Week Award winner – vote now
The results of the nominations for the Music Week Live Venue Award as nominated by MMF members are in – and now it’s time to vote. To vote, pick your favourite venue from the finalists below and email the name to mwawards@intentmedia.co.uk. Simple.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to vote!
The Leadmill – Sheffield
Now over 30 years old, The Leadmill is a legendary name and much-loved stop-off point on the UK touring circuit. It has recently made significant investments in sound and lighting. It remains as popular as ever with bands, managers and punters. It also promotes a host of local and rising bands like Dry The River via linked venues and on the Steel Stage at the Leadmill itself.
The HMV Forum – London
One of London’s most prestigious and classic venues, HMV’s Forum in Kentish Town remains one of the most-loved gig houses in the Capital. The Forum continues to benefit from multi-million investment from HMV and Mama
Group. Last year saw standout performances from the likes of James Blake, Noel Gallagher,
The Vaccines and Snoop Dogg – as well as the Q Awards and shows for Camden Crawl.
The O2 – London
The O2 claims to be “the most popular music and entertainment venue in the world” – and it certainly clocks up some pretty big numbers year-in-year-out. The last 12 months saw it host a range of artists and events, from the cast of Glee to 10 nights of Rihanna plus a second year for the Brits Awards. The sheer scale of the venue puts some off – but when you’ve gotta go big, you usually go here.
The Lexington – London
This 200 capacity venue in Islington boasts “a small gig experience with a big gig sound” – boosted by a brand new Digidesign Venue SC48 digital console. The line-up is varied and, like the venue, manages to be cool without being pretentious. It is regularly used by promoters such as Mean Fiddler and Live Nation and was recently the venue of choice for the Spotify/Guardian series of shows.
The Symphony Hall – Birmingham
With a reputation for attracting a wealth of talent in a city bursting with live music venues, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall offers a range of different artists to enjoy. The venue marks its 21st anniversary this year, and is celebrating with gigs and special events across the spring period. The 2262-seat Hall welcomed performances from the likes of Brian Wilson, John Barrowman and Peter Frampton last year.
The O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – London
Founded in 1903, the 2,000 capacity Shepherd’s Bush Empire is a true ‘landmark’ venue on the London gig scene. It hosted over 200 shows last year and combines architectural grandeur and iconic status with a relatively intimate atmosphere. That goes a long way to explain its choice as a ‘smaller’ venue for big events, such as Gary Barlow’s 40th birthday bash and Beyonce’s most recent album launch.
The Music Week Awards take place on 26th April in London. Find out more and get tickets at www.musicweekawards.com.