Listen Up: a free afternoon of live music across Basingstoke town centre

Basingstoke’s town centre will come alive with music on Saturday 28 March as Listen Up returns for an afternoon packed with live performances across a range of genres, curated by promoters RB Music and Jazz & Beyond Basingstoke. From 2pm onwards, you can wander between venues, settle in for a full set, or simply pop in for a drink and a taste of something new. You have the option of visiting one venue or all of them, it’s up to you. The entire event is free, with no tickets required - just turn up and enjoy. Please note that under 18s will need to bring an adult along.

Keep reading for details of the venues and the full line up. Bookmark this to your phone for the set times, or pick up a lanyard on the day with full timings for every band and performer.

The venues

Three venues will each host a different musical style, giving you the freedom to curate your own perfect afternoon. You could think of it as a mini music trail. Three venues, three different genres, all within a short stroll of each other:

Laarsen's
If you fancy a chilled afternoon, head to Laarsen's for acoustic music. Grab a drink, head to the garden area and settle in for some stripped-back sets.

6.45pm - In Colour
5.45pm - Elby
5pm - Wolfe Sunday
4.15pm - Maud's Dog
3.30pm - Josh Steliou
2.45pm - Karl Morrissey
2pm - Evie Ryder

The Royal Exchange
Expect energy, riffs and standout performances from guitar bands at The Royal Exchange, including the headline act Pengshui, bringing their powerful sound to the heart of Basingstoke.

7.15pm - Pengshui
6.20pm - Blockade
5.35pm - M/X
4.50pm - Whole Nine Yards
4.05pm - Blackstone Jones
3.20pm - WNM
2.35pm - The M!slead
2pm - Alice Bennett-Jones

The Wote Street Club
You’ll find smooth, soulful, and vibrant jazz curated in partnership with Jazz & Beyond Basingstoke at The Wote Street Club.

6.40pm - Elliot Frost Quartet
5.40pm - Ellie and Benjamin
4.50pm - Iona Yasko
3.55pm - Tony Dancer
3pm - Wherewithal
2pm - Basingstoke Jazz Messengers

Music continues into the evening

When the afternoon wraps up, the music doesn’t. Three more venues will keep things lively:

Head to The Tea Bar for House of Funk from 9pm to 12 midnight where you can expect funk and soul classics all night long. It’s House of Funk’s first ever performance at The Tea Bar, so it’s set to be a great debut.

Duel Bar will be featuring the rock band So Close with all the classics, from 9pm and if heavy rock is more your thing then The White Hart is the place to be. Head here for Karrion, Biolith, and Exhilaro. It’s also Karrion’s comeback event, promising a memorable night for rock fans.

Getting here and getting around

New to Basingstoke? No problem. You can hop off the train at Basingstoke station, wander through The Malls and Festival Place, and you’ll find yourself at the Top of the Town in no time. There’s also plenty of parking nearby if you’re driving.

All the venues are close together, so you won’t be trekking miles between acts. And if you need a hand with directions or have questions, the Love Basingstoke team will be out and about in pink T‑shirts, hoodies or high‑vis (from 2pm until 8pm), so just give them a shout.

Accessibility matters too. The Wote Street Club and Royal Exchange are wheelchair accessible and have disabled toilets. Music may be loud (it is a music event, after all!), but feel free to bring ear defenders if that makes things more comfortable.

We’re excited to welcome all the performers and can’t wait to see the town buzzing with music lovers.

March 2026