DOWN BY HERE
swansea’s front room
Down By Here is a venue on Swansea’s historic High Street with a storied past. Reborn in 2026, we host everything from Welsh folk groups to Afrobeat bands, poetry nights, comedy nights, cabaret shows and more.
We are proud to be a part of the thriving creative community in Swansea, and are always on the lookout for interesting acts whose performances may not fit other venues. Seen something you like and wish they would come to Swansea? Drop us a line on shwmae@downbyhere.co.uk!
upcoming events
The Down By Here Open Mic!
Full backline is available so whatever your setup we are confident we can cater for you - though if you are in a nine-piece funk band maybe just give us a heads up to let us know you are coming!
Free drink for every performer. 7.30pm start.
Pressgang Mutiny are Toronto's Shantymen, dedicated to traveling the globe to discover shanties, works songs and the people who sing them.
Pictish Trail, AKA Johnny Lynch, has just completed work on a brand-new album — LIFE SLIME — a sticky, shimmering swirl of sound and oooze (both metaphorical and literal). To celebrate, he returns to the stage in 2026 accompanied by his full live band. These shows bring the new songs to life in bold, expansive form — rhythmic, euphoric and immersive, balancing motorik pulse with warped pop melody and raw emotional release. Expect tenderness, weirdness, and a generous dollop of goo.
Learn Swansea’s songs in a relaxed environment/Dysgwch ganeuon Abertawe mewn amgylchedd hamddenol.
Bring your own instrument – all abilities welcome. £15 for a two-hour session/Dewch â’ch offeryn eich hun – croeso i bob gallu. £1 am sesiwn dwy awr.
Fortnightly on Saturday at 12:00/Bob pythefnos ar ddydd Sadwrn am 12:00
Lacertilia are a Cardiff based quintet that forge psychedelia, space rock, stoner metal and proto-punk into a compelling heavy rock sound. The band's monster riffs, trancey grooves and intense, primal energy evoke the sights and sounds of The Stooges, Hawkwind, The Doors and Monster Magnet.
𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐗 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
Following the latest residency collaboration at The Cornish Bank, where Nasanjargal Ganbold, Johanni Curtet and Oh Mr James will spend a week creating new work, the three artists will come together to perform in both Falmouth, Cornwall and then here in Swansea, South Wales.
The Down By Here Open Mic!
Full backline is available so whatever your setup we are confident we can cater for you - though if you are in a nine-piece funk band maybe just give us a heads up to let us know you are coming!
Free drink for every performer. 7.30pm start.
Incunabula Books exists to publish work that might otherwise remain unheard: literature, art and ideas that refuse to become mere products.
Join us for an evening of readings from the authors featured in this new release.
An afternoon of Welsh myths and Old Gower fairytales with harp accompaniment.
These tales of old are brought to life by local storyteller Siân Cornelius; author of the book ‘The Old Gower Fairytales’
Join Out Loud Arts Collective for an unforgettable evening of live music, entertainment, community, and summer vibes as we come together to support the future of local arts.
The Down By Here Open Mic!
Full backline is available so whatever your setup we are confident we can cater for you - though if you are in a nine-piece funk band maybe just give us a heads up to let us know you are coming!
Free drink for every performer. 7.30pm start.
Talisman is Swansea's longest-running poetry & spoken word open mic night, expertly curated by Rebecca Lowe.
Held on the last Thursday of the month anyone can sign up, and featured poets are a regular feature. Sign up from 7.30pm ahead of readings starting at 8pm.
Learn Swansea’s songs in a relaxed environment/Dysgwch ganeuon Abertawe mewn amgylchedd hamddenol.
Bring your own instrument – all abilities welcome. £15 for a two-hour session/Dewch â’ch offeryn eich hun – croeso i bob gallu. £1 am sesiwn dwy awr.
Fortnightly on Saturday at 12:00/Bob pythefnos ar ddydd Sadwrn am 12:00
The Silly Cabaret present…
The Silly Summer Ball!
We have a fantastically fabulous cabaret, and the line up is MAGICAL! To end the night with something different, as we have never had DJs before, we have a selection of the funkiest and most talented DJs South Wales has to offer!
Swansea Heavy & Hardcore Fest w/ Atlas Theory + Cold Heart + Deep Strike + Excursia + Made Of + Maelstrom + Slighted Hand
Future Blood is a Music Development Project for 14- 21 year olds held weekly on Wednesdays between 6-9pm.
The Down By Here Open Mic!
Full backline is available so whatever your setup we are confident we can cater for you - though if you are in a nine-piece funk band maybe just give us a heads up to let us know you are coming!
Free drink for every performer. 7.30pm start.
A real coup as September's Rogues' Gallery headliner is Robin Morgan! Plus support from Col Howarth, MC Chris Barnes and more!
Once a month, counsellor led, informal, friendly grief and loss support Group. Come share a cuppa and chat to people who understand.
“The band sound as if they’re tunnelling against time, tearing through walls of ancient stone, chased by the fiery liquid of the planet’s collapsing core.” The Quietus
“The first EarthBall album I heard took me back in time, its fusion of free jazz sax & NY-style noise placing me nearly 30 years ago in a packed crowd at Camden’s Jazz Café” Stewart Lee
Alan Fletcher and his five-piece band perform songs from his Americana/Country Music catalogue.
Future Blood is a Music Development Project for 14- 21 year olds held weekly on Wednesdays between 6-9pm.
The Down By Here Open Mic!
Full backline is available so whatever your setup we are confident we can cater for you - though if you are in a nine-piece funk band maybe just give us a heads up to let us know you are coming!
Free drink for every performer. 7.30pm start.
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, comedy, and charm as award-winning comedian and singer-songwriter Boothby Graffoe teams up with internationally acclaimed Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione.
Learn Swansea’s songs in a relaxed environment/Dysgwch ganeuon Abertawe mewn amgylchedd hamddenol.
Bring your own instrument – all abilities welcome. £15 for a two-hour session/Dewch â’ch offeryn eich hun – croeso i bob gallu. £1 am sesiwn dwy awr.
Fortnightly on Saturday at 12:00/Bob pythefnos ar ddydd Sadwrn am 12:00
R*E*P*E*A*T Presents
On A Broken Edge, General Waste, Doll Face Stranger and The Walk Away Wendies
Proudly supporting Love Music Hate Racism
Three superb artists from the Swansea Area share a stage to share songs they have created.
Future Blood is a Music Development Project for 14- 21 year olds held weekly on Wednesdays between 6-9pm.
The Down By Here Open Mic!
Full backline is available so whatever your setup we are confident we can cater for you - though if you are in a nine-piece funk band maybe just give us a heads up to let us know you are coming!
Free drink for every performer. 7.30pm start.