14 Jan 2025
St Albans’ own Pioneer Club is joining Independent Venue Week, the UK’s annual seven-day celebration of grassroots music and arts venues and the people that own, run and work in them.
From Monday January 27 to Saturday February 1, The Pioneer will be hosting an exciting line-up of events offering the perfect opportunity to support your local venue and experience an eclectic mix of live music and unforgettable performances.
Whether you’re a music aficionado, a casual listener, or just looking for a fun night out, there’s something for everyone over the course of the week.
Monday January 27: Live and Local with Mix 92.6
The week kicks off with a bang as community radio station Mix 92.6 bring their popular Live and Local show to the Pioneer Club. Expect an exciting evening packed with performances from local talent, including No Rest For The Spacemen, Lia Sky and Tina Boonstra, as well as behind-the-scenes insights from the radio crew. Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the station, this is a fantastic way to get involved in the vibrant local music scene. The show starts at 8.30pm (doors open at 8pm), and tickets are just £10 in advance (£12 on the door).
Tuesday January 28: Music Quiz with Empire Records
Team up with friends and test your music knowledge at a quiz hosted in collaboration with beloved St Albans record store Empire Records. The evening will feature live music from the team at Empire Records, and there are prizes to be won for the sharpest musical minds. Gather your squad (tables for up to six people) and prepare for some serious competition. The quiz kicks off at 8pm (doors open at 7.30pm) and tickets are available here.
Wednesday January 29: Stone Jets + support
Prepare for a night of unforgettable live music with Stone Jets! London-based since 2019, the band is made up of Given (bass, singer) and Manfred (guitar) hailing from Cape Town, and Adrien (drums, vocalist) from Lyon. Known for their rich soul influences mixed with pop sensibilities, Stone Jets will bring their high-energy live performance to The Pioneer Club.
At the heart of it all, they live for live performances, and their unique blend of alternative rock, folk, blues, and classical
music will keep you captivated from start to finish. Their previous appearances at major festivals like Glastonbury, Wilderness and Black Deer Festival have garnered rave five-star reviews, so don’t miss this opportunity to see them up close and personal in St Albans. Tickets are available now – get yours here.
Thursday January 30: Last Thursday Launch + DJ
Last Thursday is a new free monthly event which will seeThe Pioneer open its doors to showcase local artists, DJs, and live music in the intimate Suet Yard bar.
They’re teaming up with a new St Albans social running club, who will start a 5km run from the Pioneer Club at 6.30pm and return to join the party afterwards. For the launch night, there is a great local DJ to set the vibe, so come down and enjoy a discounted drink, soak in the sounds, and support the local arts scene. Doors open at 8pm. It’s going to be a blast, so don’t miss it!
Friday January 31: Jazz Jam
Calling all jazz lovers! The Pioneer’s monthly Jazz Jam returns for a special Independent Venue Week edition. Whether you’re a musician looking to play or just a fan of great live jazz, this is the place to be. Join in alongside their house band with your instrument or simply enjoy the spontaneous performances from local talent. Everyone is welcome. Doors open at 7pm, and tickets are just £5 plus booking fee. Grab your ticket here.
Saturday February 1: BUSHROD + Yung Yusuf
Rounding off the week in style, The Pioneer has got an explosive double bill with BUSHROD and Yung Yusuf! BUSHROD, the Banbury-born, London-based rapper, blends alternative hip-hop and rap with sharp wit and relatable lyrics and finds himself fast on the rise, having already earned praise from the likes of BBC 1Xtra, SBTV, The Independent, BBC Introducing and Complex. He’ll be joined by the impressive rapper Yung Yusuf, a St Albans local with an electrifying live performance style, playful wordplay and unique energy. Expect an unforgettable night of cutting-edge music. This is one show you won’t want to miss! Get your tickets here.
