Stoke-on-Trent’s Legendary Sugarmill Up for Prestigious National Award – Let’s Help Them Win!
Your Vote Matters! Help Stoke’s Iconic Venue Shine on the National Stage
Stoke-on-Trent’s music scene is something truly special, and at its heart lies a venue that has shaped and nurtured live music in the city for decades. The Sugarmill, our beloved grassroots venue, has been shortlisted for the ‘Grassroots Venue: Spirit of the Scene’ category at the Music Week Awards 2025 – a huge achievement for a space that has played a vital role in the local and national music landscape since 1994.
We’ve all got a story about The Sugarmill. Whether it’s your first gig, a night out at one of their legendary Electric Fridays, or watching an up-and-coming band before they hit the big time, this venue holds a special place in Stoke’s nightlife and music history. The ‘Mill isn’t just a gig venue – it’s a cultural cornerstone of our city, one that has given countless artists, musicians, and music lovers an unforgettable experience.
Taz, from The Sugarmill, summed up what this means:
“We’ve been grassroots since before it was even a definition – toilet circuit, I think – but category aside, it’s been amazing to be shortlisted for such a huge national award. It means so much to small stages like ours, to encourage local musicians to learn how to put on a show and grow local talent in the area. So many grassroots venues have closed in the last 12 months, and we owe it to our local communities that we’re still here going strong serving Stoke.”
The Sugarmill has always been more than just a venue – it’s a place where new artists can take their first steps onto the stage, where national acts bring their tours, and where the team behind the scenes truly care about supporting and nurturing musical talent. Their main floor, Room 2, and rooftop spaces have been the backdrop for building friendships and careers, with a tiny management team and wider team of staff – some of whom have seen their entire education through to their Masters degrees whilst working behind the bar.
Taz also shared how special this nomination has been for the team:
“It was a picture seeing the team’s reactions to the shortlist. Sharing across their own social media and being proud to be a part of Team Sugarmill was priceless to see. We’re such a small team that covers a lot of jobs, but I can’t see myself anywhere else.”
At a time when independent music venues across the country are closing their doors, it’s crucial that we support the places that keep our city’s music scene alive. The Sugarmill not only brings national tours to Stoke-on-Trent but also nurtures homegrown talent, offering a platform for local bands to gain experience and share the stage with established artists.
And it’s not just local bands that have graced The Sugarmill’s stage. Over the years, this venue has hosted an impressive lineup of now-iconic acts, including:
Coldplay
Muse
Elbow
DJ Falcon & Alan Braxe
Daft Punk
Stereophonics
A Day to Remember
The 1975
The National
Joan Armatrading
Maxïmo Park
Kasabian
Lamb of God
Biffy Clyro
Catfish and the Bottlemen
Trivium
Bring Me the Horizon
Foals
You Me at Six
Glassjaw
Editors
The Libertines
The list goes on, proving just how influential The Sugarmill has been in shaping the UK’s music scene.
This is why it’s so important to support The Sugarmill in its bid for this award. It takes just seconds to vote, and it’s a small way to say thank you to a venue that has given so much to our city’s music culture. Let’s help them bring home this well-deserved recognition.
So, here’s the serious bit. It takes about 7 seconds to vote (yep, we counted), so to say thanks to The Sugarmill for being such a pinnacle in the local music scene since 1994, give them your vote here: https://www.musicweekawards.com/2025grassrootsvote?i=zymkkKIXBei35OQmSs0lQjhD9DtVYjVN
Let’s keep Stoke-on-Trent’s music scene alive and thriving – vote for The Sugarmill today!