Friday night at Independent Venue Week 2026 is about one thing: movement. Big beats, hands in the air, drinks bouncing, and that shared buzz when a room full of people realises it’s in for a seriously good night. At Old Bakery Studios, the IVW26 Friday show is built as a full-throttle party starter — heavy bass, live energy, and zero standing around politely. Time for post Christmas misery January to be sent on it’s way, time to party again!
Leading the charge are Future Dub Orchestra, a live act engineered for movement and connection. Their sound sits at the intersection of dub, reggae, drum & bass and electronica, delivered fully live with a scale and intensity that hits straight in the chest. Born from Theo Clarke’s Bristol sound-system roots, Future Dub Orchestra thrive on bass pressure, cinematic builds and euphoric drops that pull everyone into the same rhythm. Veterans of Boomtown, Glastonbury and Isle of Wight Festival, and collaborators with artists like Roni Size and Nightmares On Wax, they know how to turn a venue into a single, surging mass of bodies. This is headline energy designed to keep you dancing long past the point you thought you’d slow down. Future Dub Orchestra on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lQJGCHnR5YCGudr34RLzj?si=Q0azg3fyRqG4Fk2VDKCkZQ
Keeping the momentum high are The Scribes, bringing their explosive Boombox trio show to the Friday night slot. This is hip hop built for live rooms — rapid-fire lyricism, massive beatbox drops and constant interaction with the crowd. Ill Literate’s razor-sharp flows sit on top of Milky and Minamus’ booming, jaw-dropping beatbox work, creating a sound that’s raw, physical and impossible to ignore. Known for turning festival tents upside down at Glastonbury, Boomtown and WOMAD, The Scribes don’t just perform at a crowd — they pull everyone into the moment, feeding off the energy and firing it straight back. Expect movement, call-and-response and a room that refuses to stay still. The Scribes on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2GLZXGFyibACNTgaZG5vkW?si=SSyqmhIXQLCD-z0uGbh17g
Opening the night are Cornwall’s own Kernow Vibration, returning with fresh fire and a sound built for skanking feet and raised fists. Blending dub-heavy reggae grooves with rock grit and socially conscious lyrics, they bring warmth, weight and serious dancefloor pull. After reforming post-Covid and releasing a new EP, Kernow Vibration are back doing what they do best: lifting rooms, spreading unity, and setting the tempo for a night that’s only going to get bigger. Kernow Vibration on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jDXvO9JNSPGjNl9vYzsJu?si=tI6HaE9-R5mzzFAiBJ7uvg
This Friday at IVW26 is about sweat, bass and good times — a proper night out that reminds you why live music matters. If you want beats, movement and a crowd fully locked in, this is the one.