Small venue spaces highlight local and touring bands

By: Stuart Martin

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Over the past ten years, Fayetteville has become a hot destination for touring and local bands alike. With many different DIY venues opening and closing alongside more professional spaces, there’s tons of opportunities for shows. 

 

“We’re really just trying to get touring bands to recognize Fayetteville as a music town, and to have them work with local talent really brings it all together,” Roger Barret says. Roger is one of the owners of OnTheMap shows and has put on many concerts in the Fayetteville area. 

OnTheMap is an online organization that brings in touring artists such as Shame, Protomartyr, Bill Calahan, and many more, and they often pair these shows with local acts like Phlegms, Mildenhall, Alvvays Tired, and more. They bring in a tight but continually growing community that has one thing in common. A love for music. 

DIY venues have also been another major factor in the growing music scene. Places such as Backspace or The Hopout allow for artists to practice performing for a crowd before sharing g their sound with promoters and concert goers alike. They also provide safe environments for other events as well, such as comedy shows or local galleries to set themselves up.