Independent Venue Week is upon us once more, as grassroots music venues across the UK play host to emerging and established artists from Mon 28 Jan to Sun 3 Feb. This seven-day nationwide series of gigs pays homage to the small music venues and the people who keep their lights on, which play a vital role in giving a platform to burgeoning artists at the start of their career. We've rounded up the highlights from participating venues across Edinburgh and Glasgow this year, so be sure to head out and show your friendly neighbourhood music venue some love.

Leith Depot

Despite the threat of closure hanging over this Edinburgh institution, Leith Depot continues to play its invaluable role in the city's live music scene. Artists and musicians collective Sketchy Beats (Mon 28 Jan) will be launching a takeover of the venue, with performances and spontaneous open jams by the likes of Erb n Ting, Bad Mama's Kiss, the Smoking Jeffreys and more. Local DIY riot grrrl groups The Farting Suffragettes and Loud South Ladies (Tue 29 Jan) take the stage next, followed by Edinburgh rock band The Party Slogan with support from indie five-piece Stellar (Wed 30 Jan). Also on the line-up are melodic punk band Paper Rifles (Thu 31 Jan), a solo acoustic set by Scottish cult legend Withered Hand (Fri 1 Feb), Holy Savage and support from Miss the Occupier (Sat 2 Feb) and a special night of performances from Callum Easter and friends (Sun 3 Feb).

Mash House

First up at the Mash House are The Van T's, winners of the Best Live Act Award at the 2017 Scottish Alternative Music Awards, who will be sharing a stage with Glasgow pop outfit Apache Darling and Nasari (Thu 31 Jan), followed by Bloke Music, Scotland's 'most sought after loft-insulation core band' (Fri 1 Feb). Rounding things off is another triple bill headed by London-based band Another Sky, electronic pop group L-space and Edinburgh two-piece milkd (Sat 2 Feb).

The Van T's

Summerhall

Storied multi-arts complex Summerhall may have a short programme this year but it's still quite the heavy-hitter, playing host to indie-pop pioneers The Vaselines (Fri 1 Feb), whose songs 'Son of a Gun' and 'Molly's Lips' led Kurt Cobain to declare the duo 'his favourite songwriters in the whole world'. Also on the line-up is post-classical Icelandic cellist Gyða Valtýsdottir (Sun 3 Feb), who will be performing her new project Epicycle alongside Shazad Ismaily on synths and Julian Sartorius on drums.

Sneaky Pete's

Their fourth year on the IVW roster, Sneaky Pete's will kick off with electronic duos Makeness and Eyes of Others (28 Jan), followed by Galway songstress Brigid Mae Power (Tue 29 Jan) and a specially curated triple bill by record label and blog Scottish Fiction, featuring indie rock bands Mt. Doubt, Mitchell Museum and wojtek the bear (Wed 30 Jan). Glasgow punkers Rascalton share a stage with Strange Bones (Thu 31 Jan) before promoters Fresh Produce present their line-up of Feral Family, The Roques and Third Party (Fri 1 Feb). Post-punk band Public Practice bring their high-energy act from New York City alongside Heavy Rapids (Sat 2 Feb), before Sneaky Pete's calls it a week with a final triple bill from Allusinlove, Fabric Bear and Shredd (Sun 3 Feb).

Makeness

The Glad Cafe

Not-for-profit venue The Glad Cafe will be playing host to pop group Vital Idles (Thu 31 Jan) and Trembling Bells founder Alex Rex, who will be performing songs off his solo sophomore album Otterburn.

Broadcast

Estrons (Mon 28 Jan) will be bringing their off-kilter rhythms to Broadcast this IVW, as well as psychedelic outfit The Lucid Dream with support from Valkarys (Sat 2 Feb), before things finish off with a special late night session from Rascalton and Strange Bones (Sat 2 Feb).

Independent Venue Week, various venues, Mon 28 Jan–Sun 3 Feb.