Keeping Music Live

18th October – 1st November 2025

KEEPING MUSIC LIVE TOUR

We are very excited to announce our Keeping Music Live Tour in collaboration with Music Venue Trust (MVT), supporting independent music venues across the UK.

THE TOUR

A big thank you to all the venues, their staff, and the incredible artists and bands who performed across the country. And of course, to the brilliant audiences who came out to support the tour from Hull in the north right down to Brighton in the south. It was an amazing experience. We sold over 1,000 tickets and can’t wait to do it all again. All proceeds will go to the Music Venue Trust, supporting their vital work in keeping grassroots venues and local music scenes alive. Take a look at some of the highlights below.

Hull

Adelphi Club

What a night to start the Keeping Music Live Tour with a bang. Our Hull all-day warm-up show at iconic independent venue @The_Adelphi_Club was sold out and absolutely electric – featuring the following incredible artists from WaterBear and the local Hull scene: @WeAreMaftin, @PoliteBureaux, @RothcoOfficial, @MothersdayUK, @emittertheband, The Richard Carlson Band, @w3nchband, @skinteruk, and @bugfacer.band. A massive shoutout to all the artists and everyone who came down to celebrate grassroots music with us – what a way to kick off the tour.

Sheffield

Yellow Arch and Corporation

Night one of the Keeping Music Live Tour kicked off with two incredible shows which took place at @yellowarchstudios, which was sold out, and @corpsheffield – celebrating grassroots music, community, and unreal talent of all genres from across the scene. Yellow Arch Studios: @femurband_, @flatmoonband, @millypyemusic and @canyonblu_ Corporation: @sulphur1616, @_katiebosworth, @0pm.uk, @dalts23, @standizzi, @nbposted, @arz.upnorth + @thesoftdropp and @slambarzlive

Manchester

Castle Hotel

We travelled across the pennines to Manchester’s amazing grassroots venue @thecastlemanc for another brilliant show, put together in collaboration with @scruffofthenecklive. It was amazing to see so many people packed in to join our celebration of grassroots music, with incredible performances coming from @lizzi_stardust, @thetivolisband, and @dazcadwallander.

Nottingham

Rough Trade

Night three was sold out in Nottingham. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at @roughtradenottm for the latest stop on the Keeping Music Live Tour. It was an unforgettable night of local talent and electric performances from four incredible artists – @AirportDadofficial, @wearesundress, @isthisok.mp3, and @lunaandthelimeslices.

Norwich

Voodoo Daddy’s

Night four saw the Keeping Music Live Tour roll into Norwich for another sold out show – and @voodooshowroom went off. It was amazing to bring together another event celebrating the importance of the grassroots community to UK society, and raise more money for our tour partners Music Venue Trust. A huge well done to the incredible artists that performed – @rossstewartofficial, @charliekingmusic, @finnianjamess, and @jakkelsband

London

Rough Trade East

Halloween saw WaterBear take over @roughtradeeast for an unforgettable night of live music. Featuring brilliant performances from headliners @thistle.thistle.thistle and WaterBear supports @dirtsharksband, @faeser.band & @spikemyheart, it was amazing to bring the Keeping Music Live Tour to the capital and celebrate live music in grassroots venues.

Keeping Music Live

Launched in early 2025, WaterBear’s Keeping Music Live campaign was conceived to support this lifeblood of the industry. It sees WaterBear expand its network of our very own grassroots music venues, and in the autumn of 2025, we’ll be hitting the road with WaterBear musicians and artists to play at and support grassroots music venues in towns and cities up and down the UK.

THE TOUR

The tour will visit seven cities, including Hull (The New Adelphi Club), Sheffield (Yellow Arch Studios), Manchester (Castle Hotel), Nottingham (Rough Trade), Norwich (Voodoo Daddy’s), London (Rough Trade East), and Brighton (WaterBear Venue). Each date will celebrate the unique identity of these venues and the communities that surround them.

Local Venues and Scenes

Against the backdrop of a rapidly-evolving music industry, support for grassroots live music has become more important than ever. Local venues and community music scenes provide a core foundation where emerging talent can develop their craft, connect with and build audiences, and contribute to a vibrant, diverse cultural ecosystem.

Real-World Experience

This groundbreaking initiative also provides a real-world touring experience for WaterBear bands, artists, tour managers, sound engineers, and crew. Every stop on the tour includes a slot for local openers, giving regional bands a genuine platform on a tour with national visibility and further supporting the local music scene.

Tickets for Good

A proportion of tickets will also be distributed by Tickets for Good, reaching NHS staff, teachers, charity workers, volunteers, and those affected by the cost of living crisis. This is to ensure live music isn’t limited by income or circumstance, supporting our mission to embed music education within the real-world infrastructure of the UK scene.

Tickets and MVT

Tickets are priced at just £1, with all proceeds going directly to Music Venue Trust (MVT)—the national charity safeguarding grassroots venues. If you are 16+ and would like to come along to support your local music venue, you can purchase a ticket via the individual venue ticket links below. Be quick, as they will sell out fast.

TICKETS LINKTREE

HULL ADELPHI CLUB

Saturday 18th October 2025

To warm up for our Keeping Music Live Tour, we’re holding a huge all-day celebration of grassroots music at the Adelphi Club, featuring an eclectic mix of some of Hull’s best local talent and exciting WaterBear acts from across the country at one of the UK’s most iconic grassroots venues.

Line up:

Maftin (Headline)
Polite Bureaux
Rothco
Mother’s Day
Emitter
Wench
Good Damage
+ More TBA

SHEFFIELD Yellow Arch

Monday 27th October 2025

Located in Kelham Island and active since 1997, Yellow Arch is a cornerstone of the city’s music scene – from launching the Arctic Monkeys to hosting recording sessions for the likes of Pulp, Richard Hawley, and even Kylie Minogue. Since 2015, it’s become a legendary live venue, welcoming many of the UK’s hottest talents.

Line-up:

Femur (Headliner)
Flat Moon
Canyon Blu
Milly Pye

SHEFFIELD Corporation KML X SlamBarz

Monday 27th October 2025

Slambarz x WaterBear brings its high-energy DJ event to Corporation, one of Sheffield’s most iconic music venues. Known for supporting local talent and alternative sounds, Corp provides the perfect backdrop for emerging artists, live music, and nightlife in the city.

Line-up:

Owen Miles (0PM)
Elliott Roberts (Forca)
More tbc

MANCHESTER Castle Hotel

Tuesday 28th October 2025

We’re taking over the legendary Castle Hotel and we’re proud to be teaming up with our friends over at key promoters Scruff of the Neck to bring this tour date to life at one of the city’s most vital intimate 80-cap grassroots venue that’s seen the likes of James Bay grace the stage.

Line-up:

Liz Mann (Headliner)
The Tivolis
Life In Neon
Daz Cadwallander

NOTTINGHAM Rough Trade

Wednesday 29th October 2025

This is a city with a legendary underground scene – and we are very excited to be taking over Rough Trade North that has supported many rising stars, whilst also hosting names such as Everything, Everything, Pale Waves and Kate Nash.

Line-up:

Airport Dad (Headliner)
Sundress
isthisok
Luna And The Lime Slices

NORWICH Voodoo Daddy’s

Thursday 30th October 2025

Voodoo Daddy’s Showroom is a legendary venue at the heart of Norwich’s grassroots scene, and we’re proud to be stopping here as part of our tour that’s dedicated to supporting spots like this, and the emerging talent that it helps to foster!

Line-up:

Ross Stewart (Headliner)
Finnian James
Charlie King
Jakkels

LONDON Rough Trade East

Friday 31st October 2025

We shall be stopping off in London at Rough Trade East. We’re so proud to be partnering with Rough Trade for the Keeping Music Live Tour. They’re fiercely independent and share our unwavering commitment to supporting emerging bands and artists.

Line-up:

thistle. (Headliner)
Dirtsharks
Faeser
SPIKEMYHEART

BRIGHTON WaterBear Venue

Saturday 1st November 2025

The WaterBear Venue, located on Brighton seafront is a student hangout and a vibrant hub for live music, featuring regular club nights, gigs, and special music events that welcome both emerging and established artists and bands.

Line-up:

Knife Bride (Headliner)
Matted
5 Degrees North

BRIGHTON WaterBear Music Bar – KML X AudioActive

Saturday 1st November 2025

AudioActive bring their high-energy sets to WaterBear Music Bar in Brighton, a recent addition to WaterBear’s live music spaces, with an incredible line-up of artists. Known for supporting emerging talent, the venue provides the perfect setting to keep the city’s music scene alive.

Line-up: