Independent Venues Week in Essex: "It's a celebration"
The event takes place from 31st January to 6th February
This week has been Independent Venues Week, a celebration of music venues around the country, designed to highlight the work of the people that own, run and work in them, all year round.
Three Wise Monkeys pub, in Colchester, has taken part in the celebrations for several years.
Ben Howard is the live event manager for TWM Live, based at the pub. He says it spotlights the work they do:
"Fundamentally, it's a celebration. We do this week in week out, but this is the one week out of the year when venues like ours, across the country, are in the spotlight...
"There's a real sense of occasion around it, and... we get a sense of acknowledgement for what we do...
"This year feels really special because of what's gone on in the last couple of years."
The 180 person venue has hosted acts including Sam Duckworth (Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.), LaBrassBanda, SuperGlu and SHINERS.
"We take risks with certain acts. I love bringing in touring bands into Essex who are maybe starting out on their first major tour. The hope is that we programme stuff that adds value.
"Venues like ours are so important and I think that was really recognised over the last couple of years, when there was a risk of these venues closing - suddenly it became about how we can protect ourselves, and how we can protect the future, and I think that's so important now."
Ben says the week benefits local artists too:
"Make the effort to to support us, because people are always happy to go on the train to London to see big shows from bigger bands when they're more established, but supporting grassroots, independent venues protects that down the line. It's not so much about the venues, it's about supporting those artists who need support."