The Bodega in Nottingham has been crowned Grassroots Champion at the LIVE Awards (10 December).
The LIVE Awards showcases the outstanding companies, teams and individuals that make up the UK’s world-renowned industry.
The scoop for the DHP Family venue on Pelham Street makes them a double champion after winning at Grassroots Venue: Spirit of the Scene at the Music Week awards earlier this year.
Making it a great night for Nottingham, the Ticketing Service award went to a fellow music company based in the city – Gigantic Tickets.
Accepting the Grassroots Champion award at the ceremony at East London’s Troxy were DHP Family MD George Akins and promoter Joseph Patten along with the venue’s GM Steve Walsh and promotions manager Sam Keirl.
Of the win, Akins said: “It’s amazing to have The Bodega recognised once again for its brilliance on the grassroots circuit. The award is testament to the hard work of our teams, as well as the love the venue gets from the incredible bands we have through the doors and the customers, new and old, who come to spend time with us there.
“Venues like The Bodega and independent businesses like ours make up an important network in the music ecosystem for artists, and an affordable entry point for fans to enjoy the live bands they love, but it’s a really tough time for a lot of them right now.
“We’ve been very fortunate in our success, however, it is vital that the industry and government support and fight to protect the grassroots scene, where many artists hone their craft and where generations of music-lovers have enjoyed countless brilliant nights.”
The title for The Bodega comes after the 220 cap venue marked 25 years playing host to the most exciting up-and-coming new artists around, from rising local talent to nationally and internationally touring newcomers.
Just last week, The Bodega hosted a brand new festival ‘Paint By Numbers’ to showcase some of the most exciting new acts around to a sold out and appreciative audience. The all dayer – which also ran in Bristol – featured Porji, Bloodworm, My First Time, Vona Vella and Marvin’s Revenge.
In 2025, The Bodega provided 150 slots for Nottingham-based musicians to perform across headline shows, support and festivals that take place at the venue. Its place at the beating heart of the local music scene sees it being the hometown venue of choice for artists – from Do Nothing hosting their SXSW-fundraiser show to the fast-rising Divorce choosing to stage a sold out four-night residency over playing a larger capacity venue.
Sleaford Mods also played a sold out show for the 10 year anniversary of their album ‘Divide and Exit’, making it their first Nottingham show in 18 months as they returned to the intimate grassroots venues where it all began.
In July this year, Bodega went on the road to host The Bodega New Music stage at Splendour Festival, which was also shortlisted for the Major Festival Award at Wednesday’s ceremony. The venue’s taste-making influence saw local rising artists such as Bloodworm and Davoli performing to festival-goers attending the event headlined by Bloc Party and Kaiser Chiefs.
Recent shows at the venue include AJ Tracey, Anna Erhard, Benefits, Ducks Ltd, GANS, Gurriers, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, Nadia Reid, Nieve Ella, Nell Mescal, Our Girl, Panic Shack, PINS, Prima Queen, SOFY, Sorry, Sunday (1994), and Welly.
The little venue on Pelham Street has consistently punched above its weight across its 25 years since its very first gig on 30 November 1999 headlined by Shack and supported by Turin Brakes.
Its timeline is littered with huge names such as The White Stripes, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, Mumford & Sons, Haim, Scissor Sisters, Anne-Marie, Charli XCX, Jamie T, Wolf Alice, The 1975, Lewis Capaldi, Tom Grennan and Arlo Parks with the more recent years seeing Soft Play, Amyl And the Sniffers, IDLES, Shame, Yard Act, Fat Dog and The Last Dinner Party.
