Live Music in London | Book Artists & Venues

The London Music Scene

From Camden to Brixton, Shoreditch to Soho — London is the UK's live music capital.

For Artists

London is the UK's biggest live music market — thousands of venues from Camden's jazz bars to Shoreditch's indie rooms, Brixton's reggae clubs to Soho's acoustic cafes. The opportunity is massive but so is the competition. Getting noticed means more than just being good — you need to be findable.

For Venues

London venues are spoiled for choice with artists, but finding the right fit for your specific night is still a headache. GigXchange lets you filter by genre, location, budget, and availability — with verified reviews from other London venues so you know exactly what you're booking.

Why Peer-to-Peer

Agencies like Encore and Alive Network work well for big-budget events. But most London gigs pay £200-£600. No agency is going to represent you at that level — the commission isn't worth their time. Peer-to-peer means you deal direct. You set your own rates. You keep control.

How Platforms Compare for London

We scored every major UK booking platform across 10 dimensions. Here's how they stack up.

London Booking Options at a Glance

What matters most for working musicians and independent venues.

Feature	GigXchange	Encore	GigPig	Alive Network	Lemonrock
Commission	8%	20%+	10-15%	20-30%	Free listing
Direct contact	Yes — message before booking	No — agency controls comms	After acceptance	No — via agent only	Yes — email/phone listed
Secure payments	Stripe escrow	Via agency	Via platform	Via agency	No — cash/bank transfer
Auto contracts	Yes — digital signature	Agency contract	Basic terms	Agency contract	No
Reviews	Two-way verified	One-way (client only)	Two-way	One-way	No
Original music focus	All genres welcome	Covers/function bands	Mixed	Covers/function only	Strong original scene
London presence	Growing — early stage	Established	Strong	Established	Good UK coverage
Best for	Independent artists & small venues	Weddings & corporate	Regular pub/bar gigs	Large events & weddings	Band discovery & networking

How It Works

From signup to getting paid — about 5 minutes to set up.

1. Create your profile

Artist, venue, agent, or promoter. Add your genre, location, availability, photos, and sample tracks. Your profile is your shop window.

2. Search and connect

Filter by genre, location, budget, and availability. Message anyone directly. No gatekeepers, no "request a quote" forms.

3. Book and get paid

Agree the fee, date, and terms. A contract is auto-generated and signed digitally. Deposit held securely via Stripe until the gig is done.

Ready to start gigging in London?

The first 250 users get free access forever. No credit card required.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does GigXchange cost for London musicians?

Free to join, free to browse, free to message. GigXchange charges 8% only when a booking is completed and paid. No subscriptions, no hidden fees. The first 250 users get free access forever.

How does GigXchange compare to Encore Musicians in London?

Encore is an agency model — they take 20%+ commission and control all communication between artist and client. GigXchange is peer-to-peer: you deal directly with the venue, set your own rates, and keep more of what you earn. Encore works well for high-budget weddings and corporate events. GigXchange is built for independent artists doing regular pub, bar, and club gigs.

Is GigXchange better than GigPig for London venues?

GigPig has a strong presence in the North and Midlands with a large network of acts. GigXchange offers lower commission (8% vs 10-15%), direct messaging before booking, auto-generated contracts with digital signatures, and two-way reviews. If you value direct artist relationships over a large existing catalogue, GigXchange is worth trying alongside GigPig.

What types of musicians are on GigXchange in London?

All types — solo artists, bands, DJs, singer-songwriters, jazz trios, rock bands, acoustic acts. GigXchange supports all genres and all user types: artists, venues, agents, and promoters. We're especially strong for original music, which agencies like Encore and Alive Network don't typically represent.

What happened to StageBase?

StageBase was the original name for this platform. It's been rebranded to GigXchange. Same product, same team, new name. If you signed up as StageBase, your account still works at gigxchange.app.