Music help

Long-running York folk club with recurring open-mic nights where singers and musicians can put their name down to perform, with amplification available but optional.

Useful for: Singers and musicians who want a low-friction first or early live-performance route in York without already having a promoter or booked gig.

What you can do: Attend a listed open-mic night, put your name on the performance list and play or sing using the PA or acoustically.

Next step: Check the current programme for the next Open Mic date, then arrive in time to put your name down.

Black Swan Inn, Peasholme Green, York

Participatory York music charity running welcoming group music activity and choirs, including routes designed for older, isolated and vulnerable people.

Useful for: People who want to make music socially without needing previous training or a professional route.

What you can do: Join a participatory music session or choir and make music with other people.

Next step: Check the joining information and current session options.

Venues across York

Local social group providing a simple route for musicians and music-interested people to meet others in York.

Useful for: Musicians who want to meet other local people before they have a band, gig network or professional contacts.

What you can do: Join the group and attend a current social meeting.

Next step: Check the Meetup page for the next event.

York

York grassroots music venue with an explicit public apply-to-play route, plus rehearsal, recording and venue-hire options.

Useful for: Bands and artists who have music ready to share and want a direct route to ask for a York support slot, headline opportunity, rehearsal or recording use.

What you can do: Use the venue's current Apply to Play form, contact the bookings address, or enquire about rehearsal, recording and concert hire.

Next step: Open the current contact page and use Apply to Play with up-to-date music links and project information.

121 Fulford Road, York YO10 4NX

York creative network offering community membership, local information, opportunities, events and practical routes to find collaborators across disciplines.

Useful for: Independent creatives, including game makers, who want a broad local network and an easy way to make cross-discipline connections.

What you can do: Join the free membership, use the York Creatives Circle community, follow current opportunities and jobs, and use the network or directory to find other creative people.

Next step: Read the current membership options and start with the free membership if you mainly need connections, opportunities and community access.

York

Public adult creative courses including current routes in music production, songwriting, recording and beginner-friendly screenwriting.

Useful for: Adults who want a bounded taught route into music production/recording or into writing a film without committing immediately to a full-time degree.

What you can do: Choose a current adult course; Film users can start with the six-week screenwriting route beginning 3 November 2026, while Music users can use the same adult programme to find production, songwriting and recording routes.

Next step: Check the current adult Performance & Production list and enrol on the course that matches the skill you want to develop.

York College, Sim Balk Lane, York YO23 2BB

City adult-learning route offering current art, design, photography, music and singing courses at different levels.

Useful for: Adults who want an accessible taught route into or back into creative activity.

What you can do: Search current community courses and choose a practical starting point without entering a full-time programme.

Next step: Search the current York Learning course catalogue by creative subject.

Venues across York

York rehearsal-room provider with band rooms, drums, amplification and PA, plus routes for live demo recording and practical setup support.

Useful for: Bands and musicians who need somewhere equipped to rehearse or make a straightforward demo.

What you can do: Book rehearsal space and check current recording or technical support options.

Next step: Check room availability and contact The White Rooms to book.

Unit 6 Bentley Park, Link Road, Osbaldwick, York YO10 3JA