![Rapper Krept, Â鶹AV graduate, performing](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_mobile/public/media/images/music_1200b.jpg?h=8e3006ae&itok=AtewJvrR)
![Rapper Krept, Â鶹AV graduate, performing](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_mobile/public/media/images/music_1200b.jpg?h=8e3006ae&itok=AtewJvrR)
Live music, festivals and music societies
Passionate about music? Find out how to get involved in Â鶹AV's music scene
If you're looking for live music at university, Â鶹AV hosts events and festivals throughout the year. If you want to perform, you can join one of our music societies or bands.
Â鶹AV has a long history of hosting famous bands such as Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix, and a growing local music scene supported by dedicated venues.
You can easily find yourself at gigs multiple times a week, rehearsing your own music at open mic nights, or playing at one of the music festivals for upcoming bands.
Music festivals in Â鶹AV
The biggest music festivals in or near Â鶹AV are the Victorious Festival and the Isle of Wight Festival. If you're looking for local bands and a cheaper ticket price, check out Icebreaker or Dials.
Victorious Festival
![The Common Stage at Victorious Festival at night](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/victorious_600.jpg?h=cd2a7045&itok=H6sYIByz)
Isle of Wight Festival
![Kelly Jones, from the band Stereophonics, performing on stage](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/shutterstock_483730525.jpg?h=cd2a7045&itok=YmDOtepx)
Icebreaker Festival
![An Icebreaker Festival sign](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/Icebreaker%20Festival%20A-board%20sign.jpg?h=cd2a7045&itok=jzMA5wQD)
Music venues in Â鶹AV
You'll find gigs all across Â鶹AV. To get you started, these are some of the city's best known and most active local venues – including Â鶹AV's famous Wedgewood Rooms.
The Wedgewood Rooms
![Image copyright The Wedgewood Rooms](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/wedgewood_rooms_600.jpg?h=1e66e246&itok=IqHSH9VF)
Â鶹AV Guildhall
![Â鶹AV Guildhall](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/Â鶹AV-Guildhall.jpg?h=1e66e246&itok=jmBMsp03)
![Neverman playing on Albert Road](/sites/default/files/styles/image_with_caption_mobile/public/media/images/Neverman%20on%20stage.jpg?itok=3gIIbMPM)
Albert Road
Albert Road hosts many small music venues. Promoters like Idols Promotions and Black Balloon Sessions regularly hold showcases for local bands in venues such as The Loft (above The Kings pub), Lord John Russell, The Vaults and the Royal Albert.
Recording studios and rehearsal space
If you're looking for somewhere for your band to practice, or you want to make a recording, these local companies provide recording services and/or rehearsal space.
Something different
Visit Â鶹AV's one-of-a-kind food and music venue, Pie & Vinyl, where you can enjoy unbelievably good pies while listening to vinyl records.
Explore Pie and Vinyl
Â鶹AV's unique music café
Hear from Café owner, Steve Courtnell and students on why they love Pie and Vinyl and Â鶹AV.
The passion was born through the love of music, but of course, 10 years ago, perhaps a physical format didn't have a life.
I wanted to create an experience.
The vinyl record, I think, is an experience.
It forces you to listen to it.
And then I thought of incorporating a food element.
So like a kind of a café culture where you sold music and we also played good music in the shop.
I think it's a really cool concept.
I don't know anywhere else that does pies and vinyl together, and I just think it's really cool and creative.
I'm really proud.
I'm Â鶹AV through and through.
I love Â鶹AV because it is one of the only island cities in the UK.
I'm originally from Cornwall and being by the sea was really important for me and the whole island is surrounded by it.
So whenever I miss home, it's so quick to go to the beach and I love that.
When we go out and we get invited to things like the 6 Music Festival, we do end up being more kind of TripAdvisor's than anything else.
Music opportunities at the University
When you study with us, you'll have access to specialist music facilities and you can listen to or perform with many ensembles. You can take part in various music activities, whichever course you study. You can also hire instruments or arrange private tuition from the Music Department.
![Dancers from Cinderella production](/sites/default/files/styles/image_with_caption_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-2088F79B-B5ED-48B7-87ED999E6A7B3312.jpg?itok=FjtlDytF)
![Person marking sheet music with light blue pencil](/sites/default/files/styles/image_with_caption_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-A76E53F3-F49F-457A-A7E64C850D63020C.jpg?itok=FkBea3RQ)
Classical music
Many events take place at the Guildhall, while orchestras, choirs and amateur dramatic (AmDram) societies perform in theatres, cathedrals and churches around the city and surrounding areas.
The website lists classical concerts in and around Â鶹AV. The Â鶹AV Chamber Music Series runs from October to May. And you can buy tickets for classical music events on .
Organ scholarship
If you're a talented organ player, you can apply for a at St Mary's Church, a large inner-city parish church. The year-long scholarship is for organists aged 16–25. You don't have to be part of the Anglican Church to apply, but you should be prepared to take part in their traditions.
Music charities
If you love music and want to be involved in using music to benefit disadvantaged communities, you can support several music charities in and around Â鶹AV.
Tonic: Music for Mental Health
funds music workshops, gigs, art groups and community projects to help people recover from mental health problems. Tonic has celebrity support from artists including Terry Hall from The Specials and Kevin Cummins, a legendary rock photographer.
Music Fusion
is a charity based in Havant that encourages young people to make music. Their East Street recording studio is a safe, friendly and creative space for young people to connect, socialise and make music. They also encourage young artists to use music as a platform for positive social action.
The CEO and Founder of Music Fusion, Jinx Prowse, is one of our alumni. Jinx supports future entrepreneurs for social change through our Entrepreneurs in Residence programme.
Find out more about life in Â鶹AV
Take a closer look at more of the exciting things on offer in our amazing city.
Places to eat in Â鶹AV
Hungry for adventure? Here's a taster of the great food and drink you can savour in the city.
![City Guide: Gin & Olive](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-4C934A75-29BC-4B2E-A1B927AC0D9D30D0.jpg?h=361fc90c&itok=slqyN6ZN)
Beaches, piers and parks
Â鶹AV is a bustling city with the sea on our doorstep and green spaces all around.
![Ferry in the sea](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-B3A677DD-16BA-4A04-9471CA6288FAB09D.jpg?itok=Xyv-2DCs)
Shopping in Â鶹AV
We're home to great independent businesses, so shopping in the city is a real treat.
![Woman shopping for postcards outside entrance of Hotwalls Studios
Hot Walls - City Guide 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-B6BF3D27-C8C6-4ED5-A9930EAC7C9EE65C.jpg?itok=v3ATqDWq)
Sport in Â鶹AV
From water sports to football and quidditch - few cities can compete with Â鶹AV's sports opportunities.
![Â鶹AV FC vs Exeter City FC
For UoP internal use only](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-9E3BC312-E7CA-42AD-B0AB805F005BAFF6.jpg?itok=oEelG62c)
Virtual Experience
Get a feel for life on campus without leaving home. Discover panoramic views of the campus, watch course webinars, look at accommodation, browse facilities like labs, workshops and studios, explore our leisure facilities and more.
![UoP USE ONLY](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-7378B9E2-EBA2-49C0-BE900C0331F4D798.jpg?itok=XtDdBuxB)