Live music venues in Cornwall

Cornwall is home to many unique live music venues, hosting gigs by well known musicians, emerging artists and sea shanty bands. From beach bars to traditional Cornish pubs and even a historic cathedral – live music in Cornwall is an experience like no other.

The Watering Hole

Known to be the UK’s only bar on the beach, this Perranporth establishment is popular with locals and holidaymakers when it comes to watching live music. The Watering Hole hosts a packed music calendar throughout the year, welcoming mainstream artists such as Tom Walker, Ziggy Marley and Scouting For Girls. One of the most unique aspects of this venue is its beach location, so you can listen to the live music whilst watching the sun set over the water.

Lusty Glaze

Lusty Glaze is a privately owned beach in Newquay. Nestled in the little cove is a relaxed beachside restaurant and bar which hosts Sundowner Sessions in the summer, and Woodburner Sessions in the autumn. These sessions offer a chilled out atmosphere to enjoy live music, with a backdrop of a summer sunset on the beach, or a cosy log fire with warming drinks in hand. Headline acts have previously included the likes of Ben Howard, The Feeling and Newton Faulkner. This venue has also previously been awarded the number one spot by The Times for most picturesque live music venue in the UK.

Old Bakery Studios

Located in Cornwall’s capital city, Truro, this new venue is becoming one of the coolest hangouts in town. Referred to as an independent grass roots venue, the Old Bakery Studios hosts a great line-up of live music and theatre shows by some of the best upcoming artists in the area.

Five Degrees West

Cornwall’s coastal pubs are often a great place to find live music, especially if you’re on the hunt for a Cornish band singing sea shanties. Five Degrees West is as popular Falmouth pub which often hosts a variety of live music genres, from acoustic solo artists to jazz and sometimes even rock bands. One of our favourite times to visit is during the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival which takes places every June, as the pub us always very busy with a great atmosphere of people singing along to all the shanty songs.

Truro Cathedral 

Services in the cathedral take place from 17:30 Monday to Saturday, where you can hear Truro Cathedral Choir singing. The choir dates back to the 1880s, when they used to sing in a wooden shed whilst the cathedral itself was under construction. The capital’s choir is very well known, being included in regular radio broadcasts as well as TV appearances – including a standing ovation from Britain’s Got Talent judges on the popular ITV show. 

Princess Pavilion

This versatile event space in the centre of Falmouth has hosted many famous pop stars in the past, including Kaiser Chiefs, Ben Howard and Ed Sheeran. With capacity for 600 people in its concert hall and an award-winning public garden, Princess Pavilion is a the perfect venue to enjoy live music, theatre, comedy and festivals.