Want to discover Ipswich’s musical talent and the best new venues?
As someone who loves seeing live music in the town, Brighten the Corners has become one of my go-to organisations for discovering new artists and supporting Ipswich’s creative scene. Get ready to find your new favourite musicians at some of the greatest gigs, held at the ultimate live music venues! Here is my guide to the Brighten the Corners venues in and around the town centre.
If you love discovering artists before they blow up, The Smokehouse is the place to be. It is an intimate 70 capacity venue, getting you closer to the action, which is what makes it so special. Hosting over 100 gigs a year, The Smokehouse is often where artists play their very first shows, which makes every gig feel like a hidden gem. The intimacy of this venue makes it the ideal place to connect with the artists you love! This is one for the underground artist lovers. One gig that I’m looking forward to at The Smokehouse is Mulholland Jive / The Frestonians / Rob Prince on 14th March. It’s always special soaking up the atmosphere created by local talent.
📍 6 South Street, Ipswich, IP1 3NU
The Baths is my go-to when I want a bigger gig night without leaving Ipswich. The Baths is the largest of the 3 venues operated by Brighten the Corners, with a capacity of 300, keeping that personal feeling whilst still delivering an electric atmosphere. The venue, formerly known as St Matthews Baths Hall, hosted the likes of Led Zeppelin, Cream, and Rod Stewart, in the late 60s and early 70s. Now The Baths, the venue hosts all kinds of performances from laid back acoustic sets to lively DJ nights, meaning there’s something for everyone! One of my personal favourite gigs at The Baths was the Tune Up Artist Showcase for Independent Venue Week, a week highlighting the importance of grassroots venues that develop our local music space.
📍 2 Civic Drive, Ipswich, IP1 2QA
The Church is one of those venues that makes you proud of Ipswich’s culture and creative scene. The Church is a picturesque, grade 2 listed, 200 capacity music venue located in the heart of Ipswich. Cafe and bar by day, music venue by night, this is a unique spot to catch artists both touring and local. I love popping in for a coffee or a browse of the record shop before heading back later for a gig. If you want more things to do in Ipswich, it’s not just music for The Church – check out their quiz nights, workshops, record shop, and so much more! They’ve even got something for the football fans – enjoy pre and post match drinks at The Church on Ipswich Town home matchdays. After renovations were completed in 2023, they’ve hosted countless gigs, festivals and events, proving Ipswich’s strong creative scene. I love attending acoustic sets at The Church for the ultimate chilled evening out.
📍 St Stephen’s Lane, Ipswich, IP1 1DP
Brighten the Corners has played a huge role in shaping Ipswich’s live music scene and creative community. Their unique music venues in Ipswich town centre make it easier than ever to support local musicians while enjoying memorable live gigs and events, without having to leave town. Whether you’re discovering a new favourite artist or revisiting a historic live music venue in Ipswich, there’s always something exciting happening in the heart of Ipswich.
This blog was written by Ella, a Multi-Channel Marketing Apprentice at Toolbox Marketing.
Fancy writing for All About Ipswich? Share your guides on Ipswich life, food, music, shops, and more! Get in touch with us at allaboutipswich@locusms.com – we’d love to hear from you.
Catch all the exciting events taking place in Ipswich by following us on social media:
Brought to you by Ipswich Central, the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre and waterfront thanks to Ipswich Borough Council and Towns Deal funding.
The copyright of all content on this site, including images, belongs to Locus Management Solutions Ltd. Company registered in England.
Registration No: 5339846. Registered Office: The Master’s House, 19 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1AQ.
