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HomeIndependent Venue Week

Independent Venue Week

The 2026 headliners line-up for Independent Venue Week at The Castle (clockwise from top left): Alien Chick, Big Trousers, Ugly Ozo, Flip Top Head, PENGSHUi
Music

Why Independent Venue Week of live music at The Castle matters for Luton’s future

January 21, 2026 Ronny Trousers 2

“It’s about putting Luton on the map, really making this venue a live music staple,” says Ben Barry. “I hate to use the phrase: use it or lose it — but that is where we […]

The Castle stage that will play host to a week of live music as part of Independent Venue Week
Music

Luton is ‘ready for more’ music, crows Castle after crowds flock to venue for triumphant gig series

February 7, 2025 Ronny Trousers 1

The Castle has promised to continue its evolution into a full-scale music venue after the saluting the “overwhelming” response to its triumphant run of shows for Independent Venue Week. With six nights of diverse live […]

The Looted Youth onstage at The Castle for Independent Venue Week
Music

Signs of growth: Luton music venue finding its rhythm with Independent Venue Week

January 30, 2025 Ronny Trousers Comments Off on Signs of growth: Luton music venue finding its rhythm with Independent Venue Week

As grassroots music venues across the UK face ongoing challenges in a shifting post-pandemic landscape, the man behind bringing Independent Venue Week to The Castle believes Luton is making a positive stand. Running until Saturday […]

Ben Thomson, aka The Looted Youth, during recording for a Vandalism Begins at Home Live Session at The Castle, to highlight the importance of grassroots music venues
Music

Luton music venues are ‘essential pipeline for tomorrow’s megastars,’ says MP

January 29, 2025 Ronny Trousers 2

Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins has championed the town’s creative heritage and the vital role of grassroots music during a speech in the House of Commons, calling attention to the importance of Independent Venue Week […]

Low Girl
Music

‘The show must go on’ as illness forces change in Independent Venue Week Castle gig series

January 28, 2025 Ronny Trousers 2

“The show must go on” is the rally call from organisers after illness forced one headliner to pull out of this week’s series of gigs at The Castle, though a homegrown Luton act who has […]

Seán Grant & The WolfGang headline the 2024 Vandalism Begins at Home night of Independent Venue Week at The Castle
Music

‘Use it or lose it’: Week of gigs at The Castle to show why live music matters more than ever

January 20, 2025 Ronny Trousers 3

Luton will play its part in the UK’s annual seven-day celebration of independent music and arts venues, with a rallying cry for gig lovers to support grassroots havens before it’s too late – or as […]

The Castle
Music

‘2024 is set to be a huge year for us’ – The Castle to host Independent Venue Week shows

November 23, 2023 Ronny Trousers Comments Off on ‘2024 is set to be a huge year for us’ – The Castle to host Independent Venue Week shows

The Castle is to be one of 17 venues in the east of England and the only one in Bedfordshire that will be part of the nationwide Independent Venue Week in 2024. The annual seven-day […]

Luton band JW Paris are one of the artists on the Project: Leave the Capital 12-inch vinyl and UK tour
Music

‘It’s never been more vital to support grassroots music,’ say vinyl collective on verge of UK tour

February 5, 2022 Ronny Trousers 4

“It’s the most important Independent Venue Week that there has ever been,” says James Cunliffe, one of the co-conspirators of a grassroots music initiative conceived in lockdown to help support music venues and independent artists, […]

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    All they wanted was to play a gig in Luton… What they got was chaos! – TV Face gig review

    March 30, 2026 Comments Off on All they wanted was to play a gig in Luton… What they got was chaos! – TV Face gig review
    What was meant to be a straightforward first visit to Luton quickly turned into a road trip from hell for Lancaster’s TV Face, but when the dust settled, the sonic juggernauts delivered one of the [...]
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    Music

    Politics, punk and poetry as Coda Rushing set to storm The Castle

    March 30, 2026 Comments Off on Politics, punk and poetry as Coda Rushing set to storm The Castle
    Luton’s alternative music venue, The Castle, is set to host a night of high-energy, thought-provoking live music this Saturday as Vandalism Begins at Home bring Coda Rushing, Longy and The Velvet Echoes to town. No [...]
  • The Looted Youth aka Ben Thomson
    Music

    Luton’s The Looted Youth releases heartfelt single ‘Maybe That’s Just Life?’

    March 27, 2026 Comments Off on Luton’s The Looted Youth releases heartfelt single ‘Maybe That’s Just Life?’
    A Luton singer-songwriter has released his debut single, reflecting on grief and the struggle to move forward after loss, hoping it can help listeners like it did him. The Looted Youth, the musical project of [...]
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About The Lutonian

The Lutonian is a 21st century independent news desk for a modern, forward-thinking Luton.

We are here to report on the news, sport and culture that matters to you, with journalism by Lutonians for Lutonians.

Our town is changing for the better, so it’s time to start shouting about it while also celebrating more of the things, places and people that bring us together and make life worth living.

You don’t need to have been born here, you don’t need to live here, but if you carry Luton and, more importantly, its people in your heart, then you are a Lutonian and you are in the right place. Welcome.

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