Independent Venue Week (IVW) is the UK’s annual seven-day celebration of independent music and arts venues and the people that own, run and work in them.
During the week, independent venues come together with artists, promoters, agents, record labels and media to create a unique series of special live events across the UK to highlight on the work these venues do year-round.
29th January to the 4th February
This year’s IVW is being held from the 29th January to the 4th February, and here at Strings, we are proud to be apart of this amazing initiative for what will be our fourth participating year.
So, what’s on at Strings Bar and Venue for IVW 2024?
Wednesday 31st January – Platform One Presents
For those that don’t already know, Platform One is a ’boutique college based on the Isle of Wight specialising in high quality education for the creative industries’.
Platform One work closely with Strings, and during term-time, they hold live music events every Wednesday night where students showcase their developing live sound.
These nights are a great way of supporting rising local talent here on our Island. And we’re glad that P1 are joining us for IVW24.
Thursday 1st February – Ben Ottewell
Ben Ottewell is best known as a singer and lead guitarist in the successful British rock band ‘Gomez’. After hits like ‘Whippin’ Piccadilly’ and ‘See The World’, Gomez went on to release six albums. And since their last album in 2009, Ben began paving the way for a solo career, and has been releasing his own material ever since.
“Ben Ottewell’s voice is not of this world.”
– GQ Magazine
Ottewell has been pleasing audiences with a series of successful acoustic tours across the UK, US and Australia, and we were very lucky to have Ben play Strings for an intimate Sold-Out show back in 2022. Now, he’s set to return to the road, and will be performing a very special IVW show here at Strings on 1st February.
Friday 2nd February – The Clause, The Kairos, The Optimists
Here’s one for you Indie music lovers!
The Clause are a four-piece band from Birmingham who have been jamming together since childhood. Blending the swagger of the 60s, the rolling groove of the 80s and the riotous verve and attitude of the 90s, the band effortlessly combines huge hooks with gritty verses, indie sensibilities and rhythm and blues groove and melodies, creating a totally unique sound.
Support on the night comes from the incredible ‘The Kairos’ and our local boys ‘The Optimists’!
A huge night, don’t miss it!
This show is presented by Strings Bar and Venue, EarsPeeled, and Solo Music Agency.
Saturday 3rd February – Mad Dog Mcrea
Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music.
From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies, Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs.
(We’re very excited for this one.)
Sunday 4th February – John J Presley
Wrapping up IVW here at Strings is the Brighton based multi-instrumentalist John J Presley!
‘John J Presley writes music that can paint a thousand pictures. Soaring soundscapes, to instant future garage rock classics to meditative studies, his palette is huge. You can hear the inspiration: Coltrane, Mingus and Waits; The Kills to The Dirty Three.
The Times described Presley as “a searing, soulful touch, an oasis of calm amid the torrent of noise”
And that’s a wrap! We’re so pleased with this line up, and we very much hope that you’ll join us for a show or two in this fantastic celebration of Independent live music. We really couldn’t do what we do without your continued support, and we are always grateful to see you at a show.
Show your support
Wherever you are between 29th January and 4th February, please do your best to support your local venues and artists. They/We need you!
For more information about our IVW events and to book your tickets, please head over to the Strings website, or find us on socials at @stringsvenue.
For more information about Independent Venue Week, head over to their website.
Our thanks to Ears Peeled for sponsoring for this feature. They and other businesses and organisations taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.
