Whatever genre you choose to listen to, classic or jazz; hip hop or punk; folk or metal; the electricity of a live gig just cannot be beat. After a tough few years live music is back on the menu and it is so incredibly important to support our local music scene to ensure that it can continue to exist. We’ve selected here some of the best venues across The Malverns including the Teme Valley to enjoy the magic of a live performance.
Carnival Records is one of those brave and all too rare start-ups. The owner, Chris Heard, had been trading records and tapes on the web, all his stuff was in lock-ups in the town, and he took a chance on opening a physical shop. Here you can find such a range of different albums, from classics to newer releases to unique LP’s you just won’t find anywhere else. In a word that is fast becoming so digital-based, touching base with where music really came from, and supporting an independent local business, becomes increasingly important.
OCC is the perfect spot to enjoy a local craft beer while also enjoying a local performance. Their repertoire features not just music but also comedy and film evenings as well as selected sports and cultural events.
Malvern Theatres has been an upstanding venue for the arts since 1816, with notable patrons including Sir George Bernard Shaw. However, the live music performances featured here are sometimes overlooked, but they shouldn’t be. Featuring everything from tribute acts, musicals, bands and other performances there’s something for everyone no matter your preference.
On the western slope of the Malvern Hills you will find the West Malvern Social Club, a non-profit venue that specialises in music, arts and other events. Typically home to a dizzying array of different genres including but not limited to electronic, classic, rock and jazz.
Self-funded and run by volunteers, Malvern Cube is home to many different kinds of performances. Live music, but also dramatic pieces, plays, art exhibitions and many more. Refreshments are available from their café.
Elmslie House is a beautiful grade II listed building featuring a music venue and gallery where many concerts and recitals are held. On any given night you will hear a wide variety of musical performances from jazz to a pop-up opera to a sound bath. Elmslie House’s Hall, complete with stage and Steinway Grand Pianos, makes it an ideal venue for both performers and their audiences. A light and airy space, with excellent acoustics, the Hall has played host to string quartets, rock groups, singer-songwriters, pianists and jazz quartets, to name a few.
The Regal in Tenbury Wells has to be one of the most beautiful theatres in the country, and where else to enjoy the magnetism of a live music performance. Featuring local and touring artist, tribute acts and many more, the Regal is so much more than just a cinema.
Pubs such as the Green Dragon, the Blue Bell Inn , The Unicorn, The New Inn and Bar Seven in Upton upon Severn offer an excellent dive into the range of local talent. There’s a vibrant world of different genres of music on your doorstep, and without your patronage it will fade away and a core piece of local culture will be lost.
