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 music that Gloucestershire has to offer, SoGlos rounds up 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 a stage for one of Gloucester's biggest music events of the year, Underground Festival, in the spring; along with it's own annual 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 70s legends Focus, gig goers can catch some of the UK's best up-and-comers on tour at the 400-plus capacity venue in 2025 — alongside rising stars from the Five Valleys and beyond in a series of local showcases.
Its annual Sounds of Stroud event features an eclectic lineup of local acts; and new for 2025, the venue is launching a Grassroots Gigs series, inviting some of the area's most popular artists to headline its main stage.
Inferno Brewery in Tewkesbury
Giving local artists a platform and bringing acts from further afield to town, too, Inferno Brewery's Firepit Bar and Venue is the go-to for grassroots live music in Tewkesbury.
Hosting events throughout the year at the old White Bear pub site, music fans can expect a range of genres at the popular taproom, from rock and metal to folk and americana.
The venue also hosts its own weekend fringe event for the town's annual festival, Tewkesbury Live, in its garden in the summer.
The Steam and Whistle in Cheltenham
An up-and-coming new live music venue, Cheltenham's The Steam and Whistle launched its events space not long after opening in 2024 — and it's already on track to become a local favourite.
The former Midland Hotel, opposite the train station on Gloucester Road, has been completely revamped under new ownership, with contemporary decor, a popular pizza menu and an all-new, 300-capacity live music space.
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 already has some exciting shows lined up for 2025, including hosting a stage at Audio Junk Food's brand new Cheltenham festival, Crosstown Traffic.
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 line-up 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.
The Thirsty Pine in Gloucester
Another new addition to the county's live music landscape, The Thirsty Pine Beer Cafe in Gloucester also has the potential to become one of the area's best.
The 400-capacity venue — located inside the former JAX Nightclub in the city centre — boasts an impressive stage and standing area, overlooked by an extensive bar stocked with dozens of craft beers on draught.
Hosting a series of local showcases beginning in the latter part of 2024, The Thirsty Pine is quickly gaining a reputation for its live music offering — and is set to host a new stage at Underground Festival in 2025, 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 is hosting some of the area's best known artists across genres from folk to ska and nu-metal in 2025; 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 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 set to host a songwriter's stage for Crosstown Traffic in 2025.
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.
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 and other city venues — including Blackfriars Priory — hosting their own stages, too.
