Having just heard that my band's (http://www.lovesjones.com/) second planned debut gig has been cancelled because the venue decided to book a Christmas party instead ( :mad: ), I was wondering if anyone could suggest anyone could suggest any suitable venues in and around London, UK.

Our music is being styled 'Urban Jazz / Soul', although to my ears it has pretty strong contemporary R&B elements as well. What I'm interested in are venues that put on this kind of music, which are known to have a decent attitude towards new bands (ie. once a date is in the diary and the band have started to publicise it, not pulling out at the chance of making more money with something else).

Cheers,

Wulf

Hi Wulf, will ask around friends to get some names of places, but I know the Musicians Union (or PRS, my mind isn't up to scratch this monday yet, I'll update later) have a list of "ethical" places to play. These are clubs/pubs that wouldn't charge you to play, pay a minimum wage to band members, minimum standards of equipment and treat you right basically. I'm sure you're a member so get in touch with them, or have a look on their website: http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/ (or www.prs.co.uk). Here's a list of some places though that may be helpful or relevant to your style. Good luck with it all

Name of Showcase: Urban Flava Talent Quest
Promoter: Urban Flava Entertainmemt
Venue: Bar Lorca
Address: 261 Brixton Road, London SW9
Capacity: 300
Frequency: Next showcase 12th December and then Thursdays once a month
Criteria: Live acts only. Auditions are open now for next showcase. Please contact J Knight for more info
Genre: RnB/Soul/Jazz/Hip Hop
PA available: Yes. Sound crew and door staff supplied by promoter
Advance bookings: Yes
Cost of entrance: £5 flyer / £10 on the door
Contacts:
phone 07946 819 470
name J. Knight
email itac@talk21.com



Name of Showcase: EasySoul
Promoter: Debbie and Tony Cannam
Venue: South London Pacific
Address: 340 Kennington Road, London SE11
Capacity: 200
Frequency: Monthly, 3rd Thursday of the month
Criteria: Songwriters/Performers part of Fighting Chance Records
Genre: Songwriting based soul/pop
PA available: Yes
Advance bookings: Yes
Cost of entrance: £3
Contacts:
phone 0208 688 8115 / 020 7351 9128
name Debbie Cannam
email fightingchance@onetel.net.uk



Name of Showcase: PopshowParty.com
Promoter: Laurence Hobbs
Venue: Madam JoJo's
Address: 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1
Capacity: 200
Frequency: Monday 16th December and then monthly on Wednesdays
Time: First act 8.30pm
Criteria: Live acts or CD backing track
Genre: Pop
PA available: Yes
Advance bookings: No
Cost of entrance: £7 (£5 students and unemployed)
Contacts:
phone 0208 361 4967 / 07956 934 075
name Laurence Hobbs
email laurence@popshowparty.com
website: www.popshowparty.com



Name of Showcase: Up All Night Music
Promoter: Up All Night Music
Venue: The Marquee
Address: Upper Street, Islington, London
Capacity: 780
Frequency: Most weeks. Check dates with promoter
Criteria: Live acts only. No backing tapes
Genre: Various
PA available: Yes. Sound crew and door staff supplied by promoter
Advance bookings: Yes. 3 months in advance
Cost of entrance: £5/£6
Contacts:
phone 0207 419 4696 / 7
website www.upallnightmusic.com



Name of Showcase: Choice Cuts
Promoter: Feedme Music
Venue: West One Four
Address: North End Road, West Kensington, London W14
Capacity: 250
Frequency: Every Thursday
Time: Doors open 8.30pm, first act 9pm
Criteria: Good quality original music - require demo
Genre: Various
PA available: Yes, sound engineer supplied on the evening
Advance bookings: Yes, roughly a month ahead
Cost of entrance: £5 with flyer / £6 without
Contacts:
name Cathryn or Dave
phone 07774 445614 / 07703 460101
website www.feedmemusic.co.uk
email cathryn@feedmemusic.co.uk
address for demos Feedme Music, Suite 16, 271-273 King Street, London W6 9LZ



Name of Showcase: Singers and Poets Night
Promoter: Jackie Khan
Venue: The Bug Bar
Address: St Mathews Church, Brixton Hill, London SW2
Capacity: 300
Frequency: 1st Wednesday of every month
Time: 7pm - late
Criteria: One cover song and one original. Singers only, no bands. Singers booked 3 months in advance. Live band supplied (guitar allowed with band at promoter's discretion). Register to sing, turn up on night for poetry. Performing singers go on database for people looking for singers (free service)
Genre: Various
PA available: Yes, sound engineer supplied
Advance bookings: Yes.
Cost of entrance: Free b4 8pm. £4 after
Contacts:
name Jackie Khan
phone 020 7924 9294

.

Name of Showcase: Back 2 Basics
Promoter: Urban Development
Venue: Stratford Circus
Address: Theatre Square, London E15
Capacity: 500
Frequency: Twice a year
Criteria: Under 18s
Genre: Various
PA available: Yes
Advance bookings: Yes
Cost of entrance: £2adv
Contacts:
name Elliott Jack (Event Manager)
phone 020 8536 0630
website www.urbandevelopment.co.uk



Name of Showcase: Up All Night Music
Promoter: Up All Night Music
Venue: The Studio
Address: 144 Charing Cross Road, London
Capacity: 750
Frequency: Most weeks. Check dates with promoter
Criteria: Live acts only. No backing tapes
Genre: Various
PA available: Yes. Sound crew and door staff supplied by promoter
Advance bookings: Yes. 3 months in advance
Cost of entrance: £5/£6
Contacts:
phone 0207 419 4696 / 7
website www.upallnightmusic.com



Name of Showcase: Up All Night Music
Promoter: Up All Night Music
Venue: Peppermint
Address: Camden Road, London
Capacity: 250
Frequency: Every week. Check dates with promoter
Criteria: Live acts only. No backing tapes
Genre: Various
PA available: Yes. Sound crew and door staff supplied by promoter
Advance bookings: Yes. 3 months in advance
Cost of entrance: £5/£6
Contacts:
phone 0207 419 4696 / 7
website www.upallnightmusic.com



Name of Showcase: Up All Night Music
Promoter: Up All Night Music
Venue: The Spice of Life
Address: Cambridge Circus, Charing Cross Rd, London
Capacity: 100
Frequency: Monday, open mic night / Tuesday Blues Jam / Friday acoustic gigs
Criteria: Live acts only. No backing tapes
Genre: Various
PA available: Yes. Sound crew and door staff supplied by promoter
Advance bookings: Yes. 3 months in advance
Cost of entrance: £5/£6
Contacts:
phone 0207 419 4696 / 7
website www.upallnightmusic.com



Name of Showcase: Up All Night Music
Promoter: Up All Night Music
Venue: The Buffalo Bar
Address: Highbury & Islington, London
Capacity: 170
Frequency: Wednesdays
Criteria: Live acts only. No backing tapes
Genre: Various
PA available: Yes. Sound crew and door staff supplied by promoter
Advance bookings: Yes. 3 months in advance
Cost of entrance: £5/£6
Contacts:
phone 0207 419 4696 / 7
website www.upallnightmusic.com

That's an excellent looking list - thanks for the help, and I'll follow up those links as well.

Wulf