Derby’s live music scene delivered another unforgettable moment on Friday 13 March as All The Young brought their current tour…
By K Futur LOCALDerby’s grassroots music scene is thriving, and few places capture that energy quite like The Hairy Dog. At the TRENDИG Awards Derby 2026, the beloved venue was officially crowned Best Live Music Venue, a title that reflects years of dedication to supporting bands, promoters and music lovers across the city.
For a venue that has become synonymous with loud guitars, packed rooms and unforgettable nights, the recognition means a great deal to the team behind it.
“We were really excited to share the news with the rest of the team and grateful for everyone who voted for us,” says Promotions Manager Amy. General Manager Rob echoes that feeling, adding, “It’s awesome to hear that people still regard The Hairy Dog so highly.”
The award was far from a foregone conclusion. The category was one of the most competitive of the night, with Derby institutions such as The Flowerpot, Dubrek Studios and The Victoria Inn also nominated. Each venue has played a huge role in nurturing the city’s music culture, making the win even more meaningful.
“It’s a huge honour considering all the other venues in the category were equally as deserving,” Rob explains. “It’s important to keep Derby’s live music scene thriving and it means a lot to us all that we’ve been recognised as championing that, let alone winning the category.”
Over the years, The Hairy Dog has built a reputation as a cornerstone of Derby’s alternative and grassroots music landscape. From heavy touring acts passing through the Midlands to local bands cutting their teeth on stage for the first time, the venue has become a place where scenes form and communities grow.
Part of maintaining that legacy has involved carefully evolving the venue without losing the character that regulars love. Recently, The Hairy Dog underwent a series of renovations, including a refreshed exterior and new artwork created by Derby street artist SOAP. The update gives the building a striking visual presence while staying true to the gritty, music-first identity that defines the space.
“It was one of our main priorities,” Rob says when discussing the changes. “We never want to lose the main elements of what we’ve become known for because that’s ultimately what our visitors love, but it’s important that we keep maintaining and evolving the space.”
The addition of SOAP’s artwork has become a particularly eye-catching feature of the venue. According to Rob, the goal was to create something bold that reflected the venue’s identity while still fitting the atmosphere fans expect.
“For the artwork, we wanted something striking to represent the venue but still in keeping with the general vibe, which we think SOAP has absolutely nailed.”
Behind the scenes, programming a venue with such a strong reputation comes with its own challenges. The Hairy Dog hosts a huge range of events, from club nights and DJ sets to touring bands and grassroots gigs. Balancing that calendar requires constant collaboration between the venue team, promoters and the wider music community.
Amy explains that careful planning is essential.
“It can be a little stressful, I’m not going to lie,” she says. “I work very closely with our owner and promoters to make sure the calendar is peppered with a good variety of events.”
That variety is key to maintaining the venue’s identity. Alongside established acts, The Hairy Dog remains deeply committed to supporting the local scene, ensuring Derby artists always have a place to perform and build their audience.
Regular events and partnerships play an important role in this approach. Amy highlights the contributions of Breakout Promotions and local music figure Gez Addictive as crucial to keeping the venue’s programme strong.
“We have regular nights scheduled not only to build around, but to keep the focus on supporting the local scene alongside established artists,” she says. “Shoutout to Breakout Promotions and Gez Addictive for playing a huge part in programming the venue too.”
That commitment to grassroots talent comes at a time when Derby’s music scene appears to be gaining serious momentum. Across venues, rehearsal rooms and studios, a new wave of bands and artists is beginning to push the city’s sound forward.
From Rob’s perspective, the change is noticeable.
“There’s definitely been a level up in terms of bands and artists putting themselves out there, this year especially,” he says. “So many are making an impact locally or beyond, and the talent we’re coming across is incredible.”
For a venue like The Hairy Dog, that surge in creativity means more opportunities to showcase Derby’s next generation of musicians.
“There’s no doubt we’ll be hosting more and more local artists throughout 2026,” Rob adds.
Winning Best Live Music Venue at the TRENDИG Awards Derby 2026 marks an important milestone, but the team isn’t slowing down. Instead, the focus remains on continuing to improve the venue and expanding the programme of shows.
There are already further improvements planned for the building itself.
“There’s still more refurb in the pipeline,” Rob reveals. “Not necessarily changing anything, just giving the place some TLC. We have to plan it around our opening hours, but it’ll be worth the wait when it’s finished.”
At the same time, new gigs and events are already being lined up.
“We’ve got a wave of new shows dropping over the next few weeks and we’re sure they’re going to go down a storm,” Amy says.
Yet despite the award and the continued growth of the venue, the mission remains simple: keep live music alive and accessible.
“Beyond that, our mission stays the same,” Amy explains. “Driving momentum for grassroots music venues, keeping live music thriving in Derby and making sure our space remains a welcoming, safe space for everyone who walks through the door.”
In many ways, that ethos is exactly why The Hairy Dog resonated so strongly with voters at the TRENDИG Awards. It isn’t just a venue; it’s a meeting point for musicians, fans, promoters and creatives who believe in the power of live music.
As Derby’s cultural scene continues to expand, spaces like The Hairy Dog remain essential. They provide the stages where new bands take their first steps, where touring acts connect with local crowds and where the energy of a city’s music community can truly be felt.
For now, the title of Best Live Music Venue at the TRENDИG Awards Derby 2026 belongs to The Hairy Dog, and judging by the energy surrounding the venue, it’s a crown that feels well deserved.
