Live Music in Chichester

Concerts, pub music and performance venues

Live music in Chichester comes in several forms, from the sublime choral and orchestral performances in the cathedral to pub bands playing covers on a Friday night. The city does not have a dedicated large-scale music venue, but the combination of the cathedral, the theatre, the pubs and community spaces provides a varied programme throughout the year.

Chichester Cathedral is the finest performance space in the city. Its acoustics are well suited to choral music, organ recitals and orchestral concerts, and the setting is incomparable. The cathedral's own choir performs regularly at services and concerts, and visiting choirs, orchestras and soloists appear throughout the year. The annual Festival of Chichester includes concerts in the cathedral, and the building is used for charity concerts, Christmas performances and other events. Hearing a full choir in the nave of the cathedral is one of the great musical experiences available in southern England.

The Chichester Festival Theatre hosts musicals and occasionally musical events outside its main drama programme. The Assembly Room at the Council House has been used for concerts and recitals, and various community halls and churches across the city provide spaces for smaller performances.

Pub music is an important part of the live scene. Several pubs in the city host regular live music nights, typically at weekends, featuring local bands, solo artists and visiting acts playing rock, blues, folk, jazz and covers. The quality varies, but the best pub music nights create a warm, sociable atmosphere and give local musicians a platform. Open mic nights allow aspiring performers to test their material in front of a friendly audience.

Jazz has a following in Chichester, with regular jazz evenings at pubs and restaurants. The Chichester Jazz Club and informal jazz sessions bring together musicians and listeners who share a love of the genre.

The university contributes to the live music scene through student performances, recitals and concerts. The music and performing arts departments produce graduates who go on to professional careers, and the standard of student performance is often impressive.

For larger-scale gigs and concerts, Chichester residents look to Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton and London. The Brighton Centre, the Portsmouth Guildhall and the O2 Arena in London are all within reach for touring acts and major events. But for the pleasure of live music in an intimate, local setting, Chichester itself has plenty to offer throughout the year.

Pub music is an important part of the live scene in Chichester. Several pubs in the city host regular live music nights, typically at weekends, featuring local bands, solo artists and visiting acts playing rock, blues, folk, jazz and covers. The quality varies from evening to evening, but the best pub music nights create a warm, sociable atmosphere and give local musicians a platform to play to an appreciative audience. Open mic nights allow aspiring performers to test their material in front of a friendly crowd that is generous with its encouragement.

Jazz has a dedicated following in Chichester, with regular jazz evenings at pubs and restaurants throughout the year. The jazz scene brings together musicians and listeners who share a love of the genre, and the intimate scale of the venues suits the music well, creating the kind of close, attentive atmosphere that jazz thrives in.

For larger-scale gigs and concerts by touring artists, Chichester residents look to Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton and London. The Brighton Centre, the Portsmouth Guildhall and the London venues are all within reach for the major acts. But for the pleasure of live music in an intimate, local setting, where the performers are close enough to make eye contact and the audience is part of the experience, Chichester has plenty to offer throughout the year.