Several Southampton venues are among 214 taking part in the UK's huge annual seven day celebration of live music and culture this week. 

Independent Venue Week (IVW) gigs will take place at The Joiners, The Brook, Heartbreakers and Papillon, celebrating the independent music community.

Rockers The Blockheads play Papillon on Friday. Formed in London in 1977 and originally fronted by Ian Dury, the band has continued to perform since his death in 2000. They are best known for their hit singles Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick, Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3 and Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.

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The Joiners play host to a co-headline tour from alternative three-piece Girlband, as well as singer, songwriter and producer Tom A. Smith.

The pick of the week at The Brook on Saturday is a multi-band showcase featuring the hottest alternative indie talent around, headlined by The Lilacs.

Composer and musician C Duncan is at Heartbreakers on Friday night. His compositions have been featured on various television programmes, including Waterloo Road and his debut album Architect was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize.

Running until Sunday, February 2, Independent Venue Week will once again unite a diverse array of venues, from intimate spaces with tiny capacities to large historic buildings, in a nationwide celebration of the UK’s live music scene in all its vibrant and eclectic glory.

More than one million tickets have been sold for IVW shows over the years. Shows this year range from reggae, R&B and spoken word, to black metal, post-punk, comedy and everything in between.

IVW founder Sybil Bell said: "This is now our 12th year of running Independent Venue Week, and I can’t remember a more dynamic line-up of shows across every conceivable genre. There’s been a lot of headlines recently about the lack of UK artists in the mainstream charts, but these 214 venues are showing the true depth and diversity of our music culture. All of them are absolute heroes.

"If we want these special spaces to thrive, then our message to fans is very simple: tell your mates, grab some tickets, support your local scene and come out and see a show. It could just be the best night of your life."