Evenitto's guide · the UK
Live music: questions and answers
What people ask most about going to a gig or concert in the UK.
Finding a gig
Where can I find gigs and concerts in the UK?
In the calendar on this page. We collect the programmes of venues in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the UK's other big cities every day and sort the shows by day and genre.
Are there gigs tonight?
Most nights, yes, from small pubs to the arenas, and Friday and Saturday are the busiest. The tonight page lists the shows we know of in the order they start.
Tickets
Where do I buy tickets?
From the link the venue gives: its own box office or the ticket company it works with. Every show on Evenitto links to the page where the organiser sells tickets. Buying at the box office in person can save a booking fee at some venues.
What if the show is sold out?
Check the venue's or the ticket company's official resale, such as Ticketmaster's Fan-to-Fan resale, where tickets are sold at face value and checked. Extra tickets are sometimes released closer to the night. Avoid buying from strangers online.
Why is the ticket price higher at checkout?
Booking fees and delivery charges are added at checkout and vary from company to company. Compare the total price, not the face value.
Age limits and ID
What do the age limits mean?
Every show has an age limit: all ages, 14+ with an adult, 16+, 18+ and so on, and the listing says which. The limit is often set by the venue or the artist, so it can change from show to show at the same venue.
Do I need ID?
Bring photo ID, such as a passport or a driving licence, if you look young for your age: the door can ask for proof of age, and you must be 18 to buy alcohol.
Can children come along?
At all-ages shows, yes. At shows with an age limit it depends on the venue and the show: some let under-18s in with an adult, others do not. Check the listing and the venue's page before you buy.
At the gig
When should I arrive?
Tickets show two times: doors, when the venue opens, and show, when the first act starts. One or two support acts usually play before the headliner, who often goes on an hour or more after the doors. Want the front? Get there at doors.
Do I need earplugs?
Yes, if you stand near the stage. Gigs are loud, and a pair of earplugs lowers the volume without ruining the music. Pack a pair before you leave.
Can I bring a bag?
As little as you can. Most clubs allow small bags and have a cloakroom, and arenas allow only a small bag. Each venue posts its bag policy on its site.
Can I take photos?
Check the venue's rules. Phones are normally fine for a photo or a short clip; professional cameras and recording gear usually are not allowed without permission.
Festivals
When are the big festivals?
Celtic Connections in Glasgow runs from 14 to 31 January 2027, Sound City in Liverpool on 1 and 2 May 2027, and the summer's festivals follow: Download from 9 to 13 June, the Isle of Wight Festival from 17 to 20 June, Latitude from 22 to 25 July, Green Man from 19 to 22 August, and Reading and Creamfields from 26 to 29 August 2027. These are the dates on the organisers' own sites; check them before you book.
