When it comes to listening to music, you can’t get much better than hearing it performed live. Whether its banging bass beats, the hum of a harmonica or the gutsy grit of a rock guitar there are thousands of bands to cater for your personal taste. An increasing number of venues are now hosting evenings that showcase everything from local to national touring bands. With so much choice, we have put together this guide to what we believe are some of the Best Live Music Venues in Essex!
Basildon
The Edge Bar
Situated in Town Square, The Edge Bar offers an evening of live music from an eclectic mixture of bands and performers every Thursday, from 7pm til 11pm. Take on the Ogre Burger Challenge in their restaurant and make a night of it!
Sundays are ‘open talent night’ welcoming a variety of new talents from singers and musicians to comedians, magicians and more.
For more information and gig listings visit http://www.theedgebasildon.com
Billericay
Blues at the Farm (at Barleylands Sports and Social Club)
For something a little different to your usual rock, punk and alternative bands then visit Blues at the Farm who say they are ‘The Best Little Blues Club in Essex’. Offering soulful Blues music every Saturday from 2pm onwards, they are also a family friendly venue. Membership is only £5 per year and with reasonably priced gigs and drinks, Blues at the Farm is an affordable way to regularly enjoy live music.
For more information and gig listings visit http://www.bluesatthefarm.co.uk
Chelmsford
Asylum
Based in two of the viaduct arches in Chelmsford’s West End, Asylum declares itself as the venue for the ‘musically insane’. If you visit Asylum you will be able to see both local and touring bands, typically performing rock, indie, punk or the blues. Spread over two floors, this large venue is within walking distance to bus and train stations, making it easy to get home after a gig.
For more venue information and gig listings visit http://www.asylumchelmsford.co.uk
Bassment Bar
This underground club offers something a little less mainstream, with live music and DJS playing a diverse mixture of genres including indie, rock, funk, jazz and alternative.
With a fantastic cocktail list including the Dinagaling and the Jon Ron Jovi, its easy to see why Bassment Bar is an ideal choice for a night of live music.
For more information and gig listings visit http://bassmentbar.com
Colchester
Colchester Arts Centre
For possibly the broadest range of entertainment in Essex then look no further than ‘the little church with the big attitude’! This beautifully unique venue hosts everything from seniors salsa to lairy live music gigs – and sometimes all in one day! Previous performers have included Coldplay, The Killers and The Libertines – all BTWF (Before They Were Famous!). Offering up a wide variety of live gigs, you too could be seeing the next big band.
For more information and gig listings visit http://colchesterartscentre.com
VBar
Renowned for their teacup cocktails – literally cocktails served in a giant 1.5 litre teacup – VBar hosts regular live music slots showcasing both emerging and established bands across every genre. They are also regularly looking for new talent so are an ideal venue if your band is new to the gig circuit.
Reasonably priced drinks and a kick-ass loyalty scheme make VBar a popular venue for an evening of quality live music.
For more information and gig listings visit http://www.v-bar.com
Harlow
The Square
With over 30 years of musical history behind its walls, The Square has hosted a number of popular bands BTWF, including The Bluetones, Biffy Clyro and Blur. The Square also supports local bands and accepts performances from an eclectic mix of musical genres, as well as showcasing comedians, acoustic sets and more. This venue is strictly over 16s only.
For more information and gig listings visit http://www.thesquareharlow.com
Southend
Chinnerys
Located right by the sea on Marine Parade, Chinnerys is home to one of the largest stages on the Essex gigging circuit. It regularly plays host to major signed touring acts and previous performers have included Arctic Monkeys, Bowling for Soup and Snow Patrol. This venue also supports local up-and-coming bands. To rock out to live music by the sea then look no further than Chinnerys.
For more information and gig listings visit http://chinnerys.co.uk