Barcode Live

Barcode Live is back at The Barcode in Drake Circus, running every Thursday from 16 July to 3 September. It's part of the summer activity at Drake Circus and The Barcode, and the whole series is built around local talent, so the line-up comes from right here in Plymouth. Among the acts you'll find this summer are Route 38, Guello and Lizzie Corish.

Centre director Greg Lumley said the series was "incredibly popular last year," and that the venue is proud to support emerging talent in Plymouth. It's not just a platform for them to play, either — musicians are paid a fee per appearance, which makes a real difference when you're just starting out. The whole thing is designed as weekday evening entertainment, so it's something to drop into during the week rather than a big night out on a Saturday.

There's more going on around the centre than just the music. The bee-themed installation is still there — a hive canopy stretched across the atrium and Old Town Street — and they've added an immersive green family space with indoor grass, a flower chair and extra seating, all put in ahead of the summer holidays. If you're heading in with kids, that's a handy spot to settle into between shops.

Each session runs from 4pm to 5pm, and it's free to watch, so you can just turn up and listen without needing to book or pay. With the dates running every Thursday through to early September, there are plenty of chances to catch it if you can't make one particular week.