From homegrown acts to household names, Cornwall’s music scene is expanding. Wherever you are, you’re never too far from live music of some description. With laid-back free performances in pubs and beach cafes and a range of unusual which attract some of the bigger names, if live music’s your thing, there’s plenty of choice. Here are a few of our favourite live music venues in Cornwall.
Gylly Beach Café, Falmouth
Gylly Beach Cafe plays host to live bands every Sunday evening. It’s free, no need to book, just turn up (it can get busy, so it’s worth getting there early if you can). Their ‘Roast on the Coast’ is a popular option, too – just £10 for a roast dinner and a drink – and in the summer they have a fantastic BBQ.
Blue Bar, Porthtowan
You’ll find a range of live music performances at Blue Bar, including regular open mic nights, and special gigs during the summer. There’s a good menu, too. But the best thing about Blue Bar has to be the location: it’s right on Porthtowan beach. Bag one of the window seats if you can or sit outside and soak it up when it’s warm.
Eden Project, near St Austell
The Eden Sessions attract big name acts, such as Elton John, Ben Howard, P J Harvey, Elbow, Manic Street Preachers and Paloma Faith, just to name a few! Tickets often sell out quickly, so it’s worth signing up for the mailing list to find out as soon as the acts are announced.
Princess Pavillion, Falmouth
The Princess Pavillion has live music every week. Acts range from some of the UK’s best tribute bands to popular bands from the late 90s/early 2000s such as Reef and Turin Brakes.
Lusty Glaze, Newquay
Morcheeba, Newton Faulkner and Elbow frontman Guy Garvey are just a few of the top acts who’ve graced the stage as part of Lusty Glaze‘s Sundowner Sessions. In some ways, you can’t help but feel sorry for the artists, who have to compete with the spectacular backdrop of the sea – the sunsets here can be magnificent.
But they don’t just do outdoor gigs – their Woodburner Sessions are a great choice during the autumn and winter. True, you won’t find the big names playing here then, but you can relax and enjoy some great food while listening to some of the best local singer/songwriters around.
The Watering Hole, Perranporth
The Watering Hole has an enviable location right on Perranporth beach. One of the most popular laid-back live music venues in Cornwall, it’s a great place to go for a night out as a couple, or if you’re holidaying with friends. Faithless, Scouting for Girls, Toploader and The Darkness have all recently played here.
Hall for Cornwall
Located in Truro, Hall for Cornwall is one of Cornwall’s biggest venues. There’s a range of performances to choose from, from theatre to comedy, plus a variety of tribute acts and well-known local bands such as the People’s String Foundation.
Where’s your favourite live music venue in Cornwall? We’d love to hear your suggestions! Leave a comment below, post on our Facebook page or tweet @Bosinver.
ps: We haven’t forgotten about music festivals in Cornwall – watch out for another blog post, coming soon.
