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Fans are turning up before doors and actually watching the opener. Freya Records looks at the shifting etiquette of UK underground gigs, why artist-first labels are pushing early attendance, and the promoters making the support slot feel like part of the event in 2026.
Rehearsal studios are closing, prices are climbing, and the old Friday-night room booking is no longer the default. Here is a practical map of what UK underground bands are using instead — containers, church halls, shared units, and the etiquette that keeps it all from falling apart.
Fair splits, working backlines, soundchecks that happen and a kettle that is actually switched on: an opinionated guide to the small UK venues still putting artists first in 2026.