York’s Music Scene - striking a chord as always
York has always had a vibrant and diverse mix of musical venues catering for all ages and music tastes. From small pubs to large indoor venues, there a so many places to enjoy in and around York with grassroot singers and star headliners ready to entertain you every day of the week. Here are some of the Go Yorkshire team’s favourite places to catch the next Rick Astley (now that shows our age!).
York Barbican, https://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk/
The largest indoor music and arts venue in the city, York Barbican is named after the nearby fortified outpost (barbican) attached to Walmgate. The Paragon Street venue primarily hosts comedy and live music and has a capacity of 1500 seats and 1900 for standing. Performers appearing in 2024 include Wet Wet Wet, Jake Bugg, Michael Ball, Paul Weller, Alexander O’Neal, Paloma Faith, Rebecca Ferguson, Squeeze and Jason Donovan amongst others.
York Vaults, https://www.theyorkvaults.com/ - a grassroots independent music venue showcasing the best local talent and bands located just 5 minutes from the heart of York.
The Crescent Community Venue, – a 300 capacity concert venue featuring all types of music from rock and folk to brass bands.
Blue Boar (Castlegate) – this city centre bar has regular Open mic nights with instruments, singers, comedians and artists all welcome.
The Habit (Goodramgate) – named after the local monks who used to live here, it is home to live music 6 days a week.
Fulford Arms – closed on Mondays, this live music grassroots music venue on Fulford Road is popular with students and has a capacity of 150.
City Screen’s The Basement (Coney Street) - This venue hosts an eclectic mix of events including live music, poetry, comedy, drama and DJ nights.
Record Breakers - York band Shed Seven will be performing in their home city in the Museum Gardens on 19/20 July 2024. Early 2024 say them recently claim their first number 1 album, ‘A Matter of Time’. In doing so, they claimed a British rock band record as it was the longest ever gap between a band releasing their first album (1994’s Change Giver) and then achieving their first number 1 album.
Did you know?
Jimi Hendrix played a gig at the University of York in 1967 and the University still have a hall, Hendrix Hall, named after him on campus.
