An introduction to the Coventry music scene: A reinvigorated ‘grassroots’ culture

So, you love live music but you’re not quite sure where to start? You could make the trip to Birmingham, or perhaps even the trek to London – but there’s no need! Here are five venues right here in Coventry to help you discover the Coventry Music Scene.

Warwick Arts Centre: ‘Largest Arts Centre in the Midlands’ 
The Arts Centre will be a familiar sight to all Warwick students, situated in central campus and the venue for many important events like graduation, and is actually the largest music and performance venue in Coventry and Warwickshire. Though Warwick Arts Centre may be in the middle of a university campus, its events draw visitors of all ages from Coventry, Warwickshire, and even as far as London. Even with audiences and artists travelling to the venue from all around the country, the Arts Centre is committed to giving local artists the chance to perform.

The Arts Centre has been a staple of Coventry’s cultural scene for decades. Kate Walters, Programme Manager for Warwick Arts Centre, talked us through the wide variety of musical events happening at the Arts Centre: “Our main hall is primarily used for ‘big night out’ style entertainment – rock/pop shows such as Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, 100cc, Jake Bugg.” She added that “the theatre is great for exciting fresh acts on the scene – Billie Marten, King Creosote, Longest Johns’’, and made sure to boast the history of the Centre which has “hosted the likes of Amy Winehouse and Van Morrison”.

Despite the variety of famous names, Warwick Arts Centre has not forgotten its place on campus and strives to provide a forum for student artists to perform. We reached out to Chris Mapp, Head of Music for Warwick Arts Centre, who said: “The Music Centre facilitates performances from student musicians like the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Big Band, and the Gospel Choir.” He also spoke about the diversity of spaces within the Arts Centre, all ‘of different sizes and atmospheres’ which allow the Centre to “get really creative”. These spaces include the Butterworth Hall, “which is a professional spec concert venue”, alongside the Mead Gallery, Foyer, and Theatre which are able to host “multiple performances by professionals and students every week throughout term time”.

Arches Venue: ‘Coventry’s Hidden Gem’ 
If you’re searching for some ‘grassroots’, look no further than the Arches Venue. This venue is equipped with all the essentials: a large outside smoking area, a bar, and a dedicated space for performances which can hold at least 100 people. In October and November, some currently scheduled events include a headline show from local rock group Black Water Fiend and a ‘Women In Rock’ event; with advance tickets averaging around £10, it’s a no-brainer destination to enjoy some live music.  

The venue is often used by our very own Warwick RockSoc for socials as well as showcases. A student who attended the recent showcase – ‘An Unholy Gathering’ – described the venue as “a small but perfect place for music” and “fit for energised crowds”. They praised the venue’s sound system, mentioning that “you can hear the music from the smoking area, meaning you’re never missing out on the main event”, concluding that “despite being a little tricky to find the first time, Arches is a great place to go for new music or tribute acts coming through Coventry”.

Drapers’ Hall: ‘A Historic Venue in the Heart of Coventry’ 
Walking around the ruins of Old Cathedral in Coventry city centre, you may find yourself wandering through a group of old buildings that offer a snapshot into the long history of the city. One of these buildings, tucked away beside Coventry Cathedral and St Mary’s Guildhall, is Drapers’ Hall. The current building, the third on the site and constructed in 1832, was originally the headquarters of Coventry Drapers Society and was also used as an air raid shelter during WW2. In 2021, however, the Drapers’ Hall was transformed into a music venue.

In a conversation with Chris Hartley, founding director of DH Venues, who took over management of Draper’s Hall in 2024, he described the venue as “simply magnificent”. He spoke fondly of the range of spaces, including The Ballroom, “which accommodates 250-300 guests”, The Tea Room, and The Reading Room. Hartley has found that the grand and elegant nature of the building, alongside the Regency decor, lends itself to “classical and broadway enquiries” but notes that Drapers’ Hall strives to be a venue for everyone, a venue that showcases music events of all kinds. Previously, Drapers’ Hall has hosted a broad range of events, from “Serbian rock concerts” and Broadway compilations to celebration concerts.

hmv Empire: ‘Overlooked within the Nightlife Scene’ 
Since its doors first opened in 1856, hmv Empire in Coventry city centre has had many appearances, functions, and names. From being used as a picture house, to being mostly destroyed during the Coventry Blitz, it was most recently converted into a live music venue in 2020 and became sponsored by hmv in 2021. Now, the Empire hosts various music performances of all kinds. Notably, its free entry Balcony Sessions every Saturday offer an opportunity to discover new musicians in a live environment, enjoy refreshments and experience the venue’s outdoor space. There are, of course, also a wealth of tribute acts frequently appearing on the main stage, paying homage to classic artists of all kinds, from ABBA and The Smiths to Fleetwood Mac. Despite these events not typically being full of young people, the atmosphere is electric, proving that the people of Coventry know how to party! 

But small artists and tribute acts are not all the hmv Empire has to offer, with multiple big names frequently appearing onstage in the heart of Coventry. The ‘Hall of Fame’ adorning the walls of one of the Empire’s two bars features such artists as Ed Sheeran, Anne-Marie, and Tom Grennan. Back in March, one of our writers reviewed BBC Radio’s Jo Whiley at hmv Empire, describing the bar area as “ambient, warm and excitable” and praising the venue for “providing complimentary drink covers”. Upcoming shows in the next few months also feature names that many of us will be familiar with, such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Last Dinner Party. With almost daily shows, hmv Empire provides an excellent place in Coventry to have a cocktail and enjoy some live music.

Kasbah: ‘Coventry’s DIY Music Hotspot’ 
Located on Primrose Hill Street, Kasbah is probably already known to you as your favourite club for a Monday night. The club, however, deserves to be known as your favourite independent venue – “built on hustle, heart and raw energy”. The venue has seen a wide range of artists, platforming local talent such as Jay1 and Georgie Riot, and previously hosting Arctic Monkeys, Chase and Status, and Calvin Harris before they were big names.

No matter the scene – whether you want student jam sessions, Afrobeat dancehalls, country hoedowns, or wild themed club nights – ‘Coventry’s cultural melting pot’ will bring it. Kasbah’s Sam El says it best: “We’re not just a stage; we’re a crew. We bring people together, boost local pride, and pump creative energy into Coventry. From student bands to international headliners, we prove this city is alive and kicking with talent. We honour the past and make new history every night.”