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Nova Twins, Brògeal and Eve Goodman have been confirmed as ambassadors for Independent Venue Week 2026.
The week long celebration of grassroots live music across the UK has been running since 2013 and will take place this year between January 26 and February 1. A total of 236 venues are involved, each hosting special shows during a period that is typically quieter for independent spaces.
Nova Twins will serve as the 2026 Artist Ambassadors and are set to return to their South London roots with a special one off performance at the 300 capacity Amersham Arms on January 27. Tickets for the show are available now.
Made up of Amy Love and Georgia South, the duo were recently named champions of National Album Day and ambassadors for Music Minds Matter. They also released their third studio album ‘Parasites & Butterflies’ last year.
The band said: “We’re SO excited to be playing Amersham Arms on Jan 27th for Independent Venue Week. This venue means so much to us. We spent a huge part of our teenage years playing on that stage and have so many memories tied to it.
“From our earliest bands through to becoming Nova Twins, it has always been a vital space for us. It helped shape who we are and build our community. We’re really looking forward to playing an intimate show and celebrating independent venues. We have to keep protecting them.”
Falkirk folk punk outfit Brògeal have been announced as the Scottish ambassadors for 2026. They will play shows at MacArts in Galashiels on January 30 and The Venue in Dumfries on January 31, with The Rooks providing support at both dates.
Singer songwriter Eve Goodman has been named as the Welsh ambassador and will perform at Caffi Isa in Mold on January 26, Tŷ Tawe in Swansea on January 30 and Cwtch Coffee in Pembroke on February 1.
Sybil Bell, founder and CEO of Independent Venue Week, said: “I’m incredibly proud that IVW continues to work with such inspiring artist ambassadors. These shows perfectly capture what the celebration is about, whether it’s Nova Twins returning to a venue that played a huge role in their journey, or Brògeal and Eve heading beyond the major cities to perform in music loving towns like Galashiels, Dumfries and Mold. That spirit is central to what we’re trying to do, and we’re so excited to see the 13th edition of IVW begin on January 26th.”
You can find the full list of participating venues and shows here.
Since the event began, more than one million tickets have been sold for Independent Venue Week shows, helping to shine a light on the challenges facing the live music sector. Last year, Gwenno and rEDOLENT acted as ambassadors for the campaign.
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The estate of Dolly Parton has revealed the first major public celebrations dedicated to the late superstar’s life and musical legacy. Titled “DollyFest: The Celebration of a Lifetime,” the events will be held in Nashville and London on consecutive weekends in 2027.
Exact dates for the two day festivals have not yet been confirmed. According to the estate, a Nashville edition of DollyFest had originally been arranged for January 2027 with Parton involved. That event will now proceed as a tribute to her, while another celebration has been added in London.
For many fans, DollyFest could serve as the nearest equivalent to a public memorial. Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime business partner and the founder and CEO of CTK Enterprises, explained in a statement that “as far as a traditional memorial goes, that is not something Dolly wanted.”
The festival announcement states that “what was originally planned as a multi-artist event for January 2026 in Nashville and intended to feature Parton as performer and host will now morph into a global double-day, double-weekend, double-continent party of a lifetime.”
Nozell explained that the initial idea was to stage the celebration on Parton’s birthday on Jan. 19. “What Dolly started, we will ensure is brought to life. Many people behind the scenes know that DollyFest is a dream of Dolly’s that was intended to take place on her 80th birthday in Nashville. We had the venue booked and we had the announcement ready to go. And then, in August 2025, Dolly had to take a step back after her initial health challenges. A lot of people always say, WWDD (What Would Dolly Do?), and, well, at this moment, DollyFest is WDWD (What Dolly Would Do!).”
Nozell indicated that the estate does not intend to interfere with the numerous tributes and memorials expected to take place this fall. However, DollyFest will stand as the estate’s official celebration of Parton’s life, reflecting the belief that she would have preferred to be remembered through a joyful festival instead of a more sombre public ceremony.
“We are not discouraging people from celebrating Dolly in the ways they choose,” he said. “However, as far as a traditional memorial goes, that is not something Dolly wanted. So, instead, it feels more appropriate for us to take a beat, let all the tributes that immediately make sense occur naturally, and then, see through this festival-style concept that was truly dreamed up by Dolly. This is something that is authentic to her, something that feels right to me, and something that artists and fans around the world can participate in, while also giving everyone time to grieve, and giving everyone time to plan.”
The estate confirmed that further information about both festivals will be shared soon.
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