At Band Society, we unite musicians by organising a variety of events and socials throughout the year. Whether you’re looking to meet fellow musicia
ns, form a band, or perform live, we’ve got something for you. Our events range from casual jam sessions to full-scale live performances, and we welcome everyone—no matter your skill level. Whether you’re an experienced player or just picked up your instrument, Band Society is the perfect place to connect, play, and enjoy music together. Join us and be part of the fun!
Our Events Include:
Monthly Open Mic Jam Nights
Held on the last Monday of every month at The Dairy, located on our London Road campus. These sessions run from 7:30 PM to 11 PM, and they’re all about spontaneity—whether you want to perform covers, originals, or just jam with others.
What to Bring:
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- Your guitar, bass, any other instruments and leads.
What’s Provided:
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- Drum kit
- Amps
- Mic
- Keys
Don’t worry if you don’t have your instrument with you at uni—someone always brings a spare for the jam nights! To perform, you must be a member, but the first two sessions are taster nights, so come check it out!
Semester Showcase Gig
Each semester, we plan to host a showcase gig, where bands formed within the society can perform. This event typically features 3-4 bands playing a mix of covers and original songs.
We encourage new bands to get up on stage and share their music with the rest of the community!
Socials
We love bringing people together to enjoy live music around town! Our socials often involve heading out to local venues like The Butler, Purple Turtle, or any nearby music events to catch great performances.
If any of the Band Society’s university bands land gigs in town, we make it a priority to rally the whole society to come out and support them. Here are some shots of previous uni bands playing at local music venues.
Experiences from previous band society members
DANI – “As I started the second year of uni, I wanted to challenge myself to something and I randomly decided I wanted to start a band. My housemate happened to be in a band through Band Soc so I went to one of their Find a Band nights and met some great people. Over time the band formed and we had vocals, keys, guitar, bass and drums. We went to a jam night and played one simple song as our first time performing as a band! Then we played a couple times at Mojos on campus with some other great bands from Band Soc and then we also played at Up the Junction, a local bar. The whole experience was something I had never done before but it was really fun and I made some amazing friends along the way! I was actually very nervous to start a band and perform but joining Band Soc really helped me build my confidence!”
MARTY – “Playing music has always been a really important part of my life – whether that be with orchestras, in bands or solo performances – so it was crucial for me that I find a new community of musicians to immerse myself in when I started university. ‘Find a Band Night’ was one of the first events I signed up for during freshers week and I’m so glad I did as Band Society and UoR music have since provided me with some of my closest friendships and most rewarding musical experiences. The joy of playing great music alongside some of my best friends is unparalleled and even when I’m not feeling like playing myself, getting to listen to others in Band Soc express themselves through a collective love for music is certainly something to stick around for.”
Band Society Goals for the Year
This year, Band Society is all about growing together as musicians and building a strong, supportive community. Alongside our usual socials and jam sessions, we have a few new goals to help our members improve their musical skills and connect with each other.
We’re excited to host a series of practical workshops designed for musicians of all levels. These workshops will cover essential skills, including:
- How to change guitar strings
- Setting up and packing down stage equipment
- Intro to sound engineering and live sound setup
These sessions will give everyone the chance to learn, hands-on, about key aspects of performing and managing gear, helping you feel more confident on and off the stage.
Additionally, we plan to organise a Band Society trip, where members can get to know each other in a relaxed setting, jam together, and strengthen our community bonds. This trip will be a great way to meet new people, collaborate on music, and have a fun break from uni life.
Event Calendar for Semester 1:
(Subject to change)
- Monday 30th September – Jam/Find a Band 1
- Monday 7th October – Jam/Find a Band 2
- Thursday 10th October – Please Ban Music
- Monday 14th October – Purple Turtle Social
- Monday 28th October – Jam Night
- Monday 25th November – Jam Night
- Monday 16th December – Christmas Big Band Gig
How to join & Society Membership:
Band Society Membership is £10 for the academic year
What’s included:
- Playing at jam nights
- Opportunities for gigs in town
- Workshops
- Socials in town