Whether you have just started guitar lessons with us or you have been playing the guitar for a while, there is nothing to lose from giving it a go. We would certainly recommend finding a band as soon as possible - you will learn so much more from working with other musicians that you just won't if you remain a bedroom rocker.
Combined with our structured guitar lessons, getting yourself out there is the best way to see real results fast. But where does one begin? There are hundreds of pubs and clubs out there all purporting to be 'the best venue in town'... Luckily, we've been around the block a few times and we know which places to look out for and which to avoid. As a handy resource for all our guitar students we have compiled a list of our favourite music venues in and around Derby:
The Hairy Dog might be small, but it certainly has a big heart. Located right in the centre of town, at 1 Beckett Street, Derby DE1 1HT, this venue brings in acts from across the world but also places a big focus on supporting the local music scene (that includes you.). They also keep a really interesting blog, where they regularly post reviews of their shows and the odd musical musing... If you live in Derby this should be number one on your list of places to visit and/or play, so get on it.
The Venue is a great multi-purpose venue which hosts everything from live music to comedy and private functions. They have regular live music nights and bigger acts in from time to time, so keep an eye on their website for new events. This is a great choice if you are planning on hosting your own event - the flexible spaces and fully-stocked bar will make any event one to remember. If you plan on stopping by, The Venue is located at 47-49 Abbey Street, Derby DE22 3SJ.
Vines Bar is a well-established bar located conveniently in Derby city centre. Serving everything from ales to cocktails, this venue has a large and flexible function room and bar, with an in-house PA and sound engineer provided to all private bookings - making Vines Bar a great place to host your own gig. The venue's address is 51a Sadlergate, Derby DE1 3NQ, so even if you are just stopping by for a drink it is worth checking out what they can offer.
Not to be confused with the London venue of the same name, the roundhouse can cater for up to 2500 people making it one of the biggest venues in Derby. The venue is s the world’s first and oldest surviving railway Roundhouse. It was originally built in 1839 by four rival rail companies, including North Midland Railway (NMR) for whom George Stephenson and his son Robert were engineers. These days they host everything from gigs to markets and events. Check them out at 2 Roundhouse Rd, Derby DE24 8JE.
These are just the tip of the iceberg - there plenty of other great venues in Derby, so it is over to you to get out there and find them. You wouldn't want us to do all the work for you, would you...? If you are still struggling to get gigs or you just need some extra help with your guitar playing, give us a shout using the details above - our bespoke guitar lessons will give you visible results within just a few sessions. Good luck to you all and happy gigging.
