From big names to the best underground talent, Gloucestershire has long been a place where emerging artists come to cut their teeth — with some of the south west's best-known grassroots venues found here in the county.
Whether it's to catch an up-and-comer on a tour of the UK, to experience something out of the ordinary, or enjoy the best homegrown music that Gloucestershire has to offer, SoGlos rounds up some of the best places to watch live music in the county.
The Frog and Fiddle in Cheltenham
Where big names from the alternative scene meet the south west's best emerging artists, The Frog and Fiddle has been at the forefront of grassroots live music in Gloucestershire for more than twenty years.
Hosting shows most weekends — and often mid week — in its dedicated live music space, The Barn, events at the Frog can include some of the UK's best underground touring bands; big names like Wheatus or more recently, former Queens of the Stone Age bassist Nick Oliveri; and a showcase of Gloucestershire's finest homegrown talent, spanning genres from metal to pop via hip hop, all in the space of a few weeks.
And if full weekends of live music are your thing, its regular festivals and all-dayers are sure to scratch the itch — including the annual FrogFest, which pulls in its upstairs pool hall and beer garden for more bands and an acoustic stage, too.
Café René in Gloucester
Gloucester's Café René is one of the city's best-known venues for live music, hosting a range of acts from local bands and artists to those from further afield, in genres from folk and blues through to metal.
Most weeks you'll find live music in the René's main bar; while its cellar hosts some of the south west's best underground rock and metal during the summer, courtesy of one of Gloucestershire's leading promoters, Audio Junk Food.
Owing to its prime city centre location, the René also hosts stages for one of Gloucester's biggest music events of the year, Underground Festival, in the spring, and it's own stage at the annual Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival in the summer.
The Sub Rooms in Stroud
A community hub for culture in Stroud, The Sub Rooms hosts a wide range of live music events, from renowned heritage acts to leading contemporary touring artists.
Alongside recognisable names like Newton Faulkner and KT Tunstall, gig goers can catch some of the UK's best up-and-comers on tour at the 400-plus capacity venue, often with local bands as support.
Its annual Sounds of Stroud event features an eclectic lineup of the most exciting acts on the local scene, too.
The Steam and Whistle in Cheltenham
Cheltenham's The Steam and Whistle has cemented its place in the Gloucestershire grassroots music scene — and is fast becoming a local favourite for audiences and performers alike.
The former Midland Hotel, opposite the train station on Gloucester Road, was completely revamped when new owners Neil and Michelle took over, and launched an all-new, 300-capacity live music space in 2024.
Having set the wheels in motion with events featuring renowned local acts — and hosting the county's own one-time US chart toppers, EMF — the venue now hosts a regular stage at Audio Junk Food's Cheltenham festival, Crosstown Traffic and is the home of one of Cheltenham's most popular nights out, Dom Joly's SpeakeaZy.
The Prince Albert in Stroud
One of Stroud's best-loved pubs, The Prince Albert is also well-known for its eclectic live music events, bringing some of the UK's best folk acts to Gloucestershire.
With a full lineup of regular gigs featuring travelling artists boasting rave reviews from national media, The Prince Albert also welcomes renowned acts from Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas, in genres from blues and country to punk and experimental jazz.
Nearly all of its regular events are ticketed, with the pub also hosting its own beer and music festivals each year, too.
Stroud Brewery in Stroud
One of many reasons to visit the taproom of one of Gloucestershire's best craft beer brands, Stroud Brewery, is for live music.
The venue on Kingfisher Business Park hosts some of the area's best known artists across genres from folk to ska and nu-metal, and also puts on its own annual festival, Malty Story, in the summer, welcoming a range of renowned bands, artists and DJs over three days.
As well as the added appeal of being able to sample the brewery's best beers on draught as you enjoy the tunes, gig goers can tuck into great food with burgers, pizzas and more before the show, too.
Smokey Joe's in Cheltenham
Bringing a slice of vintage Americana to Cheltenham, Smokey Joe's retro diner, bar and venue has become a hub for jazz, rock n' roll, blues and more in the centre of town.
The venue hosts leading touring acts from the UK and stateside, with regular events like its songwriter sessions and jazz club.
You can also catch local artists at Smokey Joe's on the regular, too, with the venue being home to the Songs & Stories songwriter's stage, hosted by award-winning Cheltenham duo Saint Senara, at Crosstown Traffic.
Gloucester Guildhall in Gloucester
Hosting leading touring artists playing everything from punk and metal to folk and jazz, the Guildhall remains Gloucester's premier live music venue.
Its 400-capacity main hall has seen the likes of Johnny Marr, Circa Waves and Skindred take to the stage in recent years — with some of the county's best homegrown acts getting opportunities as support acts, too.
And at grassroots level, its annual Underground Festival brings together breakthrough artists from across the south west with the very best of the Gloucestershire scene, with the Guildhall serving as the main stage.
The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury's multi-faceted The Roses Theatre is building a name for itself in the grassroots music scene, regularly hosting touring artists and local acts.
From stripped back folk and acoustic sets in its upstairs bar, to rock and pop on the main stage, original music fans have lots to choose from, with plenty of tribute acts for some of the world's biggest bands on its lineup, too.
The Roses Theatre also has its own summer festival showcasing grassroots music and theatre in Tewkesbury's pretty Victoria Park.
