Independent Venue Week is a 7-day celebration of small music venues around the country and a nod to the people that own, run, and work in them, week in, week out.
These venues give artists their first experience of playing live in front of an audience and for fans, somewhere to get up close to artists that one day, may well be playing stadiums and festival main stages.
They also provide those wanting a career in music, off the stage, the chance to learn their craft up close in a small venue. They provide a vital place for local communities to engage with arts locally.
These venues, all small, local businesses, are the backbone of the live music scene in their country and Independent Venue Week wants to recognise all that they have done to create some of the most memorable nights of the past so they can continue to do the same in the future.
A map of independent music venues in Seattle, compiled by KEXP's Digital Content team.
We’re also including a map of venues that have closed down as a reminder to support independent venues before it’s too late. This map is courtesy of Ghosts of Seattle Past, an interactive art installation and anthology curated by author/editor Jaimee Garbacik. Ghosts of Seattle Past, the anthology, is out now via Chin Music Press, available direct and at Elliott Bay Book Company.
In celebration of Independent Venue Week, KEXP shares an interview with Gaylon Henry (a.k.a. StreetNative) about old Seattle venue RKCNDY, originally published by Ghosts of Seattle Past.
A quick glimpse at a few of the venues bolstering Tacoma's scene, plus a short interview with Real Art Tacoma.
For the US's Independent Venue Week, July 8-14th, KEXP is spotlighting the independent venues that help the Seattle music scene thrive
