MK venues celebrate Independent Venues Week 2020 - Destination Milton Keynes

MK venues celebrate Independent Venues Week 2020

This January, four Milton Keynes music venues are excited to announce they are taking part in Independent Venue Week 2020. This is a nationwide initiative championing and celebrating all forms of live music.

Introducing local, national and international musicians as part of an eclectic programme, MK11, MK Gallery, The Craufurd Arms and The Stables will be hosting live music events as part of the week that will celebrate the live music scene in Milton Keynes.

Expect something for all musical tastes, highlights include Finnish psych-pop voyager Jaakko Eino Kalevi at MK Gallery, metal heroes Heart of a Coward at The Craufurd Arms, American hard rock band CKY at MK11, Winner of London Jazz Award Best Vocalist 2010, Cleveland Watkiss and folk duo The Local Honeys at The Stables.

Niki Braithwaite, Head of Public Programming at MK Gallery said “MK Gallery is very excited to be part of Independent Music Week 2020. The music scene in MK is thriving and there’s a fantastic programme of gigs throughout the week. It’s a great opportunity for people to perhaps visit some of the venues taking part for the first time.”

Managing Director at MK11, Marc O’Brien said “We're really excited to take part in IVW for the first time this year as we look to expand our venue and provide tonnes more live music events for people in Milton Keynes to enjoy. Milton Keynes has a vibrant music scene for such a small city and we're honoured to take part in this with our fellow local venues.”

Jason Hall and Max Harvey owners of The Craufurd Arms said “We are excited to be entering our 5th Independent Venue Week. In the last 12 months we have fully embraced the grassroots spirit and our importance as a venue within Milton Keynes by creating an inclusive and accessible venue for all and the MK music scene which is more vibrant now than it has been in decades.”

Alison Young, Head of Programming and Producing at The Stables, said “The Stables is delighted to be participating in Independent Venues Week for the fifth time. 2020 marks our 50th anniversary as a thriving live music venue and we continue to promote a wide ranging programme of gigs, educational and music making opportunities, festivals and large-scale events for local, regional and national audiences”

Independent Venue Week runs Monday 27 January – Sunday 2 February 2020. Visit venue websites for full listings, prices and booking details.