The Bodega Nottingham Crowned Grassroots Champion At UK LIVE Awards

The Bodega in Nottingham, England, won at the Dec. 10 LIVE Awards in the Grassroots Champion category. The win comes months after taking home the Grassroots Venue: Spirit of the Scene trophy at the Music Week awards earlier this year.

UK LIVE Awards 2025: All Winners

Accepting the Grassroots Champion award at the LIVE Awards ceremony at Troxy in East London were DHP Family MD George Akins and promoter Joseph Patten along with the venue’s GM Steve Walsh and promotions manager Sam Keirl.

Of the win, Akins said, “It’s amazing to have The Bodega recognised once again for its brilliance on the grassroots circuit. The award is testament to the hard work of our teams, as well as the love the venue gets from the incredible bands we have through the doors and the customers, new and old, who come to spend time with us there.

“Venues like The Bodega and independent businesses like ours make up an important network in the music ecosystem for artists, and an affordable entry point for fans to enjoy the live bands they love, but it’s a really tough time for a lot of them right now.

“We’ve been very fortunate in our success, however, it is vital that the industry and government support and fight to protect the grassroots scene, where many artists hone their craft and where generations of music-lovers have enjoyed countless brilliant nights.”

The 220-capacity Bodega has been playing host to the most exciting up-and-coming new artists for the past 25 years, showcasing rising local talent to nationally and internationally touring newcomers.

The Bodega hosted a brand new festival called Paint By Numbers on Dec. 7 to showcase some of the most exciting new acts around to a sold out and appreciative audience.

The all day event, which ran in Bristol the day before, featured Porji, Bloodworm, My First Time, Vona Vella and Marvin’s Revenge.

The Bodega, by its own admission, provided 150 slots for Nottingham-based musicians to perform across headline shows, support slots and festivals that take place at the venue in 2025.

Its place at the beating heart of the local music scene makes it the first choice for artists like Do Nothing, who hosted their SXSW-fundraiser show at The Bodega, to the fast-rising Divorce choosing to stage a sold-out four-night residency over playing a larger capacity venue.

Sleaford Mods also played a sold out show celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their album Divide and Exit, making it their first Nottingham show in 18 months at the venue where it all began for them.

In July this year, Bodega hosted The Bodega New Music stage at Splendour Festival, shortlisted for the Major Festival Award at the LIVE Awards, where local rising artists such as Bloodworm and Davoli performed.

Recent shows at The Bodega include AJ Tracey, Anna Erhard, Benefits, Ducks Ltd, GANS, Gurriers, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, Nadia Reid, Nieve Ella, Nell Mescal, Our Girl, Panic Shack, PINS, Prima Queen, SOFY, Sorry, Sunday (1994), and Welly.

The venue on Pelham Street has consistently punched above its weight across its 25 years since its very first gig on Nov. 30, 1999, headlined by Shack and supported by Turin Brakes.

Its timeline is littered with huge names such as The White Stripes, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, Mumford & Sons, Haim, Scissor Sisters, Anne-Marie, Charli XCX, Jamie T, Wolf Alice, The 1975, Lewis Capaldi, Tom Grennan and Arlo Parks with the more recent years seeing Soft Play, Amyl And the Sniffers, IDLES, Shame, Yard Act, Fat Dog and The Last Dinner Party.

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