Falkirk five-piece Brògeal and rising folk singer Eve Goodman will join Nova Twins as artist ambassadors for the 2026 edition of Independent Venue Week.
The nationwide event returns on Monday, January 26, with hundreds of independently-owned venues around the UK hosting live gigs and events across multiple genres
Brògeal have toured relentlessly around the UK as well as supporting the likes of Paolo Nutini, The Mary Wallopers and The Lathums. The band released their debut album, Tuesday Paper Club, last month.
They will celebrate being IVW’s Scottish Ambassadors by playing a one-off show during the week – details of which will be announced soon.
“We’re delighted to be this year’s ambassadors for Independent Venue Week,” said Brògeal in a statement. “For the past five years we’ve made our bread and butter performing at independent venues. If it weren’t for these places across the country taking chances on young musicians without trying to profit off them, then we would never have got to the point we’re at as musicians.
“We love independent venues, even the strange, the smelly, and the downright dive bars. The future of music relies on these places and they are closing down at an alarming rate. Keep this generation of your next favourite band alive by getting out this IVW and supporting them!”
IVW’s Welsh Ambassador for 2026 is Eve Goodman. Raised in North Wales and drawing on influences such as Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake and Adrianne Lenker, Goodman has attracted support from BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music. Alongside the release of her 2024 debut album, Summer Sun, Winter Trees, she also featured on Sir Bryn Terfel’s Sea Songs, performing on two duets in both Welsh and Breton.
In October 2025, Goodman released Natur, a wholly Welsh-language album made in collaboration with fellow bilingual singer-songwriter Sera. The duo will play at Swansea’s Ty Tawe on Saturday, January 31 with another special IVW show to be announced.
"It's a real honour to serve as this year's Ambassador for Independent Venue Week,” said Eve Goodman. “I've been playing in indie venues since my teens, and I've always loved how they act as the beating heart of the music community – the places where new scenes take shape.
“In an era dominated by capitalism and consumerism, choosing to show up for independent venues is a beautifully radical act. It supports real people, real passion, and real livelihoods. Keep music live: buy tickets in advance and spread the word about the gigs you're excited about!”
Initially established in 2013, Independent Venue Week has evolved into a key event in the UK music calendar - encouraging fans to start the year by buying a ticket, supporting their local venue and discovering new music.
Since launch, more than one million tickets have been purchased for IVW events – helping fill venues at a traditionally quiet time of year, providing performance and direct fan-building opportunities for artists, and offering cultural engagement and excitement for audiences.
Alongside Arts Council England, PPL and Beavertown, IVW26 will be supported by the Welsh Government via Creative Wales and by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Alan Morrison, head of music, Creative Scotland, said: “Every year, Independent Venue Week adds a shot of adrenaline to the January gig calendar at a grassroots level across the country. From the Borders to the Highlands, Scottish venues put their distinctive stamp to this UK-wide programme, celebrating the live music sector with support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
“IVW prides itself on increasing diversity in the music scene, offering high-profile performance opportunities to emerging artists and encouraging new audiences to make their first visit to their local venues. It’s great to see Brògeal take on the role of IVW’s Scottish Ambassadors for 2026, bringing their charged-up take on trad music to the next generation of gig-goers.”
Joedi Langley, interim head of Creative Wales, said: “Independent venues are such an important part of our music scene in Wales and so vital in giving our musicians a platform to develop and connect with their audience. Creative Wales is proud to be supporting Independent Venues Week again in 2026 and we are so pleased that the super talented Eve Goodman is on board as Welsh ambassador. Here’s to what promises to be another superb week of live music to brighten up January!”
More than 200 authentic independent venues are anticipated to take part in IVW26. Any venues wishing to take part have until December 9 to register and sign up.
Shows and events for the week are being confirmed on a daily basis, with details posted on the IVW website.
Recent additions include full grassroots venues tours from Brown Horse, The Clause, Dream Wife, Gia Ford, Girlband!, HotWax, She Drew The Gun, The Molotovs, The Orielles, Ren Harvieu & Romeo Stodart, The Pill and more. There are also various one-day and two-day events as part of IVW26.
Other recently confirmed performances for IVW26 include: Antony Szmierek, Cherise, Corto Alto, Pigs x 7, Mike Joyce, David Rowntree, Walt Disco, Nyah Grace, Stick In The Wheel, Steve Knightley, Kofi Stone, Lucy Spraggan Skinny Living, James Walsh, Dodgy, Pale Blue Eyes, and many more.
