Here at Drum Lessons Exeter we passionately encourage our drum students to go and listen to as much live music as they can - it is a great way of experiencing some truly amazing drummers. To help you find the best music venues in town we have drawn together a short list of what we consider to be the must-visit music venues in Exeter. So, in no order...
The Cavern opened in 1991 to supply Exeter's underground music scene with some of the best bands the UK has ever seen as they were making it from no-ones to internationally famous bands. The likes of Coldplay, Muse (pictured), Kaiser Chiefs, Mumford & Sons and Biffy Clyro have all rocked audiences in the 200 capacity music venue located at 83-84 Queen Street, EX4 3RP. The perfect place to start your gigging career as a young band, as many have done before - check out a picture of Muse in 1999 way before they were internationally famous or packing out Wembley Stadium below - or to check out the bands that are going to move from the underground scene to national fame. Certainly worth getting yourself down there at least once a month.
The Lemon Grove is the University of Exeter's music venue and it has played host to some great bands over the years, with the likes of Hole, The Cribs, Reel Big Fish, Radiohead performing to packed crowds. In more recent years bands like Fightstar, We are Scientists and the Kaiser Chiefs have rocked student audiences in the venue that has the capacity of the Cavern & Mama Stones combined. Located on The Queen's Drive, EX4 4QJ, the venue holds some truly great nights for students and non-students alike so well worth keeping your eye on who is playing there.
Westpoint Arena is a massive music venue located slightly outside of Exeter at Clyst St Mary, EX5 1DJ with a capacity of over 7,500. This is the venue that nationally and internationally famous bands that come to rock Devonshire audiences, the likes of Razorlight, Florence & The Machine (pictured!) and Muse. You can rest assured that any band that plays here will be worth going to see and although the venue is little more than a massive cattle shed with a bar it is worth going as the standard of the music at Westpoint Arena when it does occasionally come to Devon, is certainly worth going.
Exeter Phoenix is located on Gandy St, Exeter EX4 3LS which makes them Bang in the heart of the city centre, Exeter Phoenix is a vibrant, world-class multi-artform venue. They are home to several art galleries, a theatre, gig spaces, art studios, dance studios, a cinema, film production resources and more, all centred around a buzzing Café Bar. Each year the venue host hundreds of events and artistic activity spanning contemporary art, live music, DJs, cinema, theatre, dance, comedy, talks, creative courses, family events and everything in between. This place really is a hub when it comes to live music in Exeter.
