Independent is Sunderland's dedicated live-music venue and club, at 27-28 Holmeside in the city centre (SR1 3JE). Open since 2006, it's the longest-running nightclub on Wearside and the home of music in the city — built around nurturing young talent and supporting touring bands, and it has hosted the likes of Snow Patrol, Kaiser Chiefs and The Klaxons on the way up. The venue runs two rooms: the 300-capacity Main Room and the 110-capacity Little Room, covering everything from sweaty indie and alternative-rock gigs to club nights. There's a members' app with discounted entry, presale access and perks. A proper indie/alternative grassroots room with a real local pedigree, equally at home with original touring acts and local bills.
Sunderland · Every 1st Thursday of the month · Free
Independent Open Mic
Sunderland open mic at Independent — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Open mic at a glance Independent · Sunderland
Thursday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
15 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Sunderland open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
Independent Open Mic — Quick Facts
Sunderland open mic at Independent — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30
Slot length15 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
Independent27-28 Holmeside
Sunderland SR1 3JE
Sunderland — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
PA system provided
Sign-up via online
Music welcome
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
Spotted something wrong with this listing?Closed, moved night, different start time? Let us know and we'll re-verify within 48 hours.
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About Independent
About This Open Mic
Every 1st Thursday of the month in Sunderland
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
15-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Sunderland open mic directory
The Night
Independent is listed on Google Places as hosting open mic nights in Sunderland. We've verified the venue exists at the address below; the day, start time and slot length still need direct confirmation from the venue.
Getting there
27-28 Holmeside, Sunderland SR1 3JE.
Photos
Four photos sourced from Google Places contributors are shown above the map.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How Independent’s Thursday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
Every 1st Thursday of the month 15-min slots Free entry
Find Independent
27-28 Holmeside, Sunderland SR1 3JE
Planning Your Thursday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until late. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the Sunderland live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Sunderland's Independent open mic.
Sign-up via online. See all Sunderland open mic nights.
PA + vocal mic provided. BYO instrument and amp.
15 minutes per act — typically 4 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Sunderland mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
27-28 Holmeside, Sunderland SR1 3JE.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Sunderland regulars across the Sunderland open mic scene. Sunderland open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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