Independent Venue Week returns to The Met in Bury for 2020 with opportunity for music fans of all ages to discover new artists and support their local live music venue.

A two-night weekend residency from Richard Hawley has taken place at The Met for each of the past 3 years. Both nights from the Sheffield superstar have predictably sold out for 2020. London indie band Turin Brakes have also sold out their acoustic gig upstairs at The Met on Friday 31 January.

This year The Met is using Independent Venue Week to showcase emerging acts alongside big names, with gigs from Manchester-based Anna McLuckie (Saturday 1 Feb) and Chloe Foy (Sunday 2 Feb) downstairs in the venue’s 100-capacity ‘Box’ space.

These 2 tea-time gigs are suitable for all ages, with 6pm start times and tickets from £7 for under 21s.

Artistic Director of The Met David Agnew said “We’re proud of our status as an independent venue which supports artists and delivers brilliant live experiences for music fans.

“IVW has been a fantastic opportunity for us to bring someone like Richard Hawley to the venue and get hundreds of new people into the building. These gigs with Anna and Chloe are a chance to bring fans of all ages to The Met at the same time to discover new artists in a brilliant, welcoming, gig environment.”

The early-evening gigs are intended to be a chance for Hawley ticket-holders to enjoy more music and more of the venue prior to the gig. It’s also an opportunity for families and younger music fans to come out and enjoy independent gigs without late night travel.

“The independent music scene is changing and venues can’t always rely on alcohol sales, which can put some people off from attending”, adds The Met’s CEO Victoria Robinson.

“Our profile and programme is quite unique in Greater Manchester. We want to take the chance to try earlier start times, reasonable prices for young people and gigs for over 14s or that families can attend as a group to help inspire the next generation of live music fans in Bury.”

Chloe Foy’s melodic, windswept indie folk has won her many admirers. She played South By South West in Austin and was one of BBC Introducing’s ‘Ones To Watch’ in 2019. Chloe is also a member of Manchester favourite Jesca Hoop’s band. Her solo work has so far been streamed over 8 million times on Spotify.

Anna McLuckie is an Edinburgh-born harp player and singer-songwriter now based in Manchester and recording at Elbow’s favourite Blueprint Studios. Her sound captivated festival crowds from Green Man to Kendal Calling in 2019. As well as her solo work Anna is a member of the hotly-tipped Diving Station. TV viewers may remember her as a 16 year old covering Daft Punk’s Get Lucky on The Voice in 2014.