It is a poser why certain venues become more associated with great gigs than others. Lots of the time it relies on what one might be hoping to get for the cost of their ticket ; great acoustics, fun lighting, a fun atmosphere but one thing for certain is some venues contribute more to a making a live performance special than others. Lately voted the second best little venue in Europe ( it has got a capacity of 1900 ) ; it is found at the bottom end of the Gallowgate, resplendent with a giant rainbow faade.

It saw pretty much every band in modern times gracing its famous stage, from the Arctic Monkeys to All About Eve, and The Who to Robbie Williams. Every one of them have come away from gigs at 'The Barras' raving about the atmosphere it generates. But what is it that makes this wooden-floored, sweaty sixty's reversion so appealing? Glasgow audiences are among the hardest to delight but the nicest when you do, and when this occurs in The Barrowland the result's electrical. A favourite for Ian Dury and more lately, Madonna, this jewel in London's crown creates an explosive and urban atmosphere, so that folks continue to snap tickets up for gigs there quicker than Linford Christie does 100m. The venue, run by Carling, has spread into other towns too, with duplicates of the inside being assembled to benefit from the successful layout the building affords.

It is an easy philosophy ; make a classic look but with modern facilities, and slope the gang as far as they can go towards the stage. Found in Camden Town's Parkway, this boozer is maybe most renowned for being the home of Insanity , but it has been the guts of a Camden musical enterprise which has seen the likes of Oasis and Blur stake a claim.

The Dublin Castle stage is tiny, but its effect on the English music scene proves it has punched over its weight for years.

Catch a gig there if you can some night a single ticket will get you at least 3 bands for only a tenner, and the lager is half bad either. Highly flexible and with wonderful facilities, this arena is a must-play venue to the latest onstage music acts active, as well as sporting occasions and stand-up comedy acts. It usually guarantees an energetic and avid crowd of up to ten thousand folks, with wonderful perspectives and sound quality, whether standing, seated, in the costly boxes, or the rear balcony. It's as good a venue on this scale for performing acts as it is for the paying public. Built in 1846, this mythical and lately renovated Grade II listed building is as drenched in Brit music history as you can get.

Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley have all graced its famous stage, and it's wonderful to see it revitalize its fortunes as a going concern. Since a period of degeneration and regeneration, it now plays host to a couple of the best top and wide-ranging acts the music and theatre scenes have to give.