Find a Great Concert Near Me: Your 2026 Guide to 7 Live Music Platforms

Looking for an unforgettable night of live music but tired of endlessly searching for a 'concert near me'? You're in the right place. From electrifying tribute acts in intimate venues to the UK's biggest tours, knowing where to look is the key to unlocking fantastic local entertainment. This guide is your definitive resource, showcasing the best platforms to discover and book tickets for gigs happening right around the corner. We'll provide direct links and screenshots for each service, making it simple to find what you need.

Our focus is on delivering a fantastic local experience, highlighting the incredible 2026 shows at The Northcourt LIVE in Abingdon. Presented by Paul Robins Promotions, you can look forward to powerhouse performances from bands like Dirty/DC (the acclaimed AC/DC tribute), The Sex Pistols Exposé—praised as "better than the real thing" by John Lydon himself—and the incredible ABBA Chique. You'll also find details on seeing Dan Budd as Robbie Williams, plus tributes to Meat Loaf and Bon Jovi.

Whether you're after a huge arena show or a more personal gig—sometimes smaller events like a past year's St. Patrick's Day live concert offer unique experiences—this roundup has you covered. Let's dive into where you can find your next favourite show.

1. Paul Robins Promotions

For anyone in Oxfordshire searching for a “concert near me” that guarantees big-stage energy in an intimate setting, Paul Robins Promotions is the definitive choice. This promoter has perfected the art of curating high-calibre tribute and original artist shows at The Northcourt LIVE in Abingdon, creating a loyal following and a reputation for consistently memorable nights. Their strength lies in hand-picking acts that deliver authenticity and a crowd-driving performance, turning every event into a high-energy, singalong experience.

The website serves as the exclusive and official ticket portal for all events at The Northcourt LIVE. This direct-to-promoter model ensures secure, reliable ticketing and provides peace of mind. Users can see up-to-the-minute ticket availability, which is crucial as many shows sell out quickly. The site is a one-stop-shop for all event details, including confirmed door and band start times for every single show, removing any guesswork for attendees.

What Makes It a Top Choice for Live Music

Paul Robins Promotions stands out through its meticulous curation and focus on production quality. The rolling programme features some of the most respected tribute acts in the business, many of which are endorsed by the original artists.

• Authentic Tribute Experiences: Expect top-tier tributes like Dirty/DC, the phenomenal AC/DC tribute, and The Bohemians, who bring the majesty of Queen to life. The roster also includes fan favourites like Ultimate Coldplay, Just Floyd, Metallica Reloaded, the incredible ABBA Chique, and Dan Budd as Robbie Williams.

• Endorsed Performances: Beyond official endorsements, the quality is affirmed by the original artists themselves. The Sex Pistols Exposé, for instance, earned a glowing review from John Lydon, who called them "Better than the real thing".

• Professional Production: Shows are built for atmosphere. With professional sound and lighting in a standing-room venue, the focus is on creating an immersive, energetic environment that gets audiences singing and dancing.

Using the Website and Planning Your Visit

The Paul Robins Promotions website is straightforward and user-focused. The full listings are easy to navigate, with dedicated pages for each concert featuring galleries, event timings, and clear ticket purchasing options.

Pro-Tip: Because of the venue's intimate size and the popularity of the acts, shows often sell out well in advance. It is highly recommended to join the newsletter and book tickets early to avoid disappointment. Occasionally, a small number of returned tickets may become available closer to the show date, so checking back on the website can sometimes yield results for last-minute planners.

Who It's For

This is the ideal destination for classic rock and pop fans who value authenticity and a vibrant live atmosphere. It's a fantastic option for locals in Abingdon and the wider Oxfordshire area looking for exciting weekend entertainment, as well as for groups planning a special night out. The seasonal shows, including the popular We Rock Christmas and Rock FestEvil, add unique variety throughout the year.

The 2026 schedule already promises incredible shows, with tributes to music legends like Meat Loaf, Bon Jovi, and Adam Ant, alongside returning powerhouses The Bohemians, Ultimate Coldplay, and Metallica Reloaded. Unmissable performances include Dan Budd as Robbie Williams, the acclaimed ABBA Chique, Dirty/DC, and The Sex Pistols Exposé. New additions like The Eminem Show and Fallen, a tribute to Evanescence, demonstrate a commitment to expanding the lineup.

Website: https://www.paulrobinspromotions.com

2. Ticketmaster UK

As the UK’s largest primary ticketing platform, Ticketmaster is a formidable resource for finding almost any major concert. Its sheer scale means it covers everything from massive stadium tours for global superstars down to more intimate gigs at local venues, making it a reliable first stop in your search for a concert near me.

What sets Ticketmaster apart is its robust search functionality and official partnerships. You can filter upcoming shows by genre, date, and specific venues, ensuring you find exactly what you're looking for. Its “Ticketmaster Local” feature is particularly useful for discovering events happening right on your doorstep, spotlighting smaller venues that might otherwise be missed. This is where you might find tickets for upcoming gigs at local favourites, including tribute shows celebrating artists like AC/DC with bands like Dirty/DC or a high-energy show from ABBA Chique.

Using Ticketmaster Effectively

To get the most out of the platform, consider these tips:

• Set Up Alerts: Create an account and set up email alerts for your favourite artists and local venues. This gives you a heads-up on pre-sales and general on-sales, which is crucial for high-demand tickets.

• Use the Map View: The interactive map is a great visual tool for seeing what’s on in your area on a specific date, perfect for spontaneous nights out.

• Understand Ticket Types: Ticketmaster sells both official primary tickets and "Verified Resale" tickets from other fans. Be aware of the price difference and that resale tickets are often sold above face value.

While Ticketmaster provides access to a huge inventory of shows, its booking and service fees can add a significant amount to the final ticket price. High-demand on-sales can also be a stressful experience as popular events sell out in minutes. However, for its breadth of choice and official access, it remains a key player. For a deeper dive into ticketing platforms and finding the best shows, our full guide to gigs near me offers more insights.

3. See Tickets (UK)

As another major primary ticketing company in the UK, See Tickets offers a huge selection of live music events, from arena-filling tours to independent venue gigs. Its extensive listings make it an excellent resource for anyone searching for a concert near me, providing strong coverage across clubs, theatres, and major festivals nationwide.

What makes See Tickets stand out is its ethical approach to the secondary market. The platform features a Fan-to-Fan resale marketplace where tickets are capped at their original face value, which helps prevent ticket touting and ensures fans aren’t forced to pay inflated prices for sold-out shows. This feature is particularly useful for securing last-minute tickets to popular tribute shows, such as ABBA Chique or the acclaimed Dan Budd as Robbie Williams, without the risk of overpaying.

Using See Tickets Effectively

To make the most of what See Tickets offers, keep these strategies in mind:

• Bookmark Artist Pages: Find your favourite artists and venues and bookmark their dedicated pages. This allows you to sign up for waitlist-style notifications and get alerts for pre-sales and new tour date announcements.

• Check the Fan-to-Fan Marketplace: If a gig you want to see is sold out, regularly check the Fan-to-Fan section. Tickets can appear at any time as fans' plans change, offering a fair chance to buy. The platform also invalidates the original seller's barcode to reduce fraud.

• Explore Beyond the Big Names: Use the site’s search filters to discover new events in your area. You might find tickets for incredible tributes like Dirty/DC or even The Sex Pistols Exposé, which John Lydon himself called "better than the real thing".

While the Fan-to-Fan service is a great pro-consumer feature, it's important to note that the buyer still pays a resale and processing fee on these tickets. For sellers, payout times can also vary depending on the event organiser. Nevertheless, for its fair resale system and wide-ranging event coverage, See Tickets is a trusted and valuable tool in your search for live music.

4. DICE

DICE has established itself as a modern, mobile-first platform for discovering and buying tickets, particularly for club shows, independent venues, and tastemaker-led events. Its clean interface and fan-friendly features make it a superb choice when you’re hunting for a concert near me, moving away from the complexities of some larger ticketing sites. The app’s strength is in its curated discovery and transparent pricing, meaning the price you see at the start is the price you pay at the end.

What makes DICE distinctive is its commitment to a better user experience, with a focus on personalisation and fairness. The app can connect to your Spotify or Apple Music account to recommend upcoming gigs based on your listening habits, helping you find your next favourite artist. Its standout feature is the Wait List, which, when enabled by event organisers, allows fans to return tickets they can no longer use and offers them to others at a fair price, directly combating touts and inflated resale costs.

Using DICE Effectively

To get the most out of the platform, consider these tips:

• Connect Your Music: Link your Spotify or Apple Music account immediately. The personalised recommendations are excellent for discovering smaller, local gigs that align with your taste, from rock acts like Dirty/DC to pop tributes like ABBA Chique.

• Join the Wait List: If a show you want to see is sold out, always join the Wait List. It’s your best chance to secure a ticket at face value if another fan returns theirs. You’ll get a notification if a spot opens up.

• Use the “Nearby” Map: The app has an interactive map showing events happening around you. This is a great tool for spontaneous plans or finding a show on a specific evening close to home.

While DICE’s upfront pricing and user-friendly app are major advantages, its key feature, the Wait List, is not always enabled by every event organiser. In some instances, ticket returns or Wait List purchases can include premiums, although this is usually made clear. However, for its exceptional mobile experience and focus on discovering exciting new music and independent shows, DICE is an essential app for any live music fan. You might find it’s the perfect place to grab tickets for a tribute night, such as the acclaimed Dan Budd as Robbie Williams or The Sex Pistols Exposé.

5. Skiddle

As a UK-based marketplace, Skiddle is particularly strong for discovering gigs, club nights, and festivals across the country. Its focus on grassroots events and nightlife makes it an excellent tool for anyone searching for a concert near me that’s a bit different from the arena-level tours, offering a direct line into the heart of the UK’s vibrant music scene.

What makes Skiddle a standout choice is its commitment to a fairer ticketing experience through its official Re:Sell platform. This feature allows fans to sell unwanted tickets to other fans at face value, which helps reduce ticket touting and inflated prices. The website and app are built around discovery, with a prominent "Events near me" function that makes it easy to find everything from a Dirty/DC tribute night to a set from The Sex Pistols Exposé, hailed by John Lydon as "better than the real thing".

Using Skiddle Effectively

To get the most out of the platform, consider these tips:

• Enable Location Services: Allow the app to access your location for instant recommendations of gigs happening in your immediate area. It's a quick way to find spontaneous live music.

• Check for Re:Sell Tickets: If a popular show like ABBA Chique or a Dan Budd as Robbie Williams performance is sold out, keep an eye on the event page. Re:Sell tickets can appear at any time leading up to the event date.

• Explore Beyond Gigs: Use Skiddle to find club nights and smaller festivals, which often feature emerging bands and artists you might not find on larger platforms.

While Skiddle provides great access to the UK's grassroots and club scenes, its booking and processing fees can vary depending on the event organiser. The Re:Sell feature is also not guaranteed, as it must be enabled by the promoter and other conditions must be met. However, for its focus on face-value resale and its deep connection to the UK’s local music culture, it’s an invaluable resource. To learn more about other ticketing platforms, our guide to major UK music festivals and ticketing platforms offers further details.

6. Ents24

As one of the UK’s longest-running "what's on" guides, Ents24 acts as a powerful aggregator for discovering live music events. It excels at bringing together listings from numerous venues and ticket sellers, creating a centralised hub for anyone searching for a concert near me. Its strength lies in discovery, allowing you to track artists and venues to ensure you never miss out on upcoming tours.

Instead of selling tickets directly, Ents24 directs you to official primary sellers like See Tickets or Ticketmaster. This makes it an ideal starting point to survey the entire live music scene in your area, from arena tours down to local gigs. You can find listings for everything from an ABBA Chique show to an authentic AC/DC tribute like Dirty/DC, all in one place, before being guided to the correct place to buy your tickets.

Using Ents24 Effectively

To make the most of this discovery platform, try these practical tips:

• Track Your Favourites: The standout feature is the ability to "track" artists, bands, and venues. Once you do, you’ll receive email or app notifications the moment new dates are announced, which is perfect for securing tickets for popular tribute acts like The Sex Pistols Exposé or Dan Budd as Robbie Williams.

• Broaden Your Search Radius: Use the location filter to search not just in your town but also in surrounding areas. This is a great way to find hidden gems at venues you might not have considered.

• Compare Ticket Sellers: For some events, Ents24 may provide links to multiple official ticket agents. This gives you a chance to check different sites for allocations, though prices are usually standardised across primary sellers.

While Ents24 is a superb tool for finding out what’s on, its role as an aggregator means the final purchase happens elsewhere. This can sometimes lead to clicking through only to find that an event is sold out. However, for its comprehensive UK-wide listings and powerful alert system, it remains an essential resource for any music fan wanting a complete picture of the live events happening nearby. Our full guide to gigs near me has even more tips on using different platforms to your advantage.

7. Songkick

Songkick is a powerful concert discovery service designed to ensure you never miss your favourite artists playing nearby. Rather than selling tickets directly, its core function is to track your musical tastes and alert you the moment a relevant concert near me is announced. It aggregates listings from numerous sources, providing a centralised calendar for gigs in your area.

What makes Songkick so effective is its personalisation. By scanning your music libraries on services like Spotify or by letting you manually track artists, it builds a customised concert feed just for you. Its "Just Announced" feature is particularly brilliant for getting ahead of the crowd, notifying you of new dates for artists you love, whether it's a major act or an incredible tribute band like Dirty/DC. The platform then provides direct links to official sellers, so you know where to buy your tickets securely.

Using Songkick Effectively

To get the most out of this concert-tracking tool, try these tips:

• Connect Your Music Apps: Link your Spotify, Apple Music, or Last.fm accounts to automatically populate your tracked artists list. This is the quickest way to personalise your concert feed.

• Track Venues, Not Just Artists: If you have a favourite local spot, like The Northcourt LIVE, you can track it on Songkick to receive notifications for every show announced there.

• Use the "Your Area" Calendar: Regularly check the calendar view for your town or city to discover new music and plan ahead. It’s an excellent way to spot upcoming tribute performances from acts like ABBA Chique or the acclaimed Sex Pistols Exposé.

While the need to click through to a partner site to purchase tickets is an extra step, Songkick’s clean interface and exceptional notification system make it an indispensable tool for any serious music fan. Its focus is purely on discovery, and it does that job better than almost anyone else. To explore more platforms, check out our full guide on the top 7 places to find live music events near me in 2025.

Top 7 Concert Platforms Compared

Service	🔄 Implementation complexity	⚡ Resource requirements	⭐ Expected outcomes	📊 Key advantages	💡 Ideal use cases
Paul Robins Promotions	Low — direct promoter site and event pages	Low–moderate — small venue capacity; variable ticket pricing	High — authentic, well‑produced tribute and occasional original shows	Curated endorsed tributes; exclusive Northcourt LIVE ticketing; strong local draw	Classic rock/pop fans, groups seeking lively intimate nights
Ticketmaster UK	Moderate — account, mobile tickets and high‑demand flows	Moderate–high — service/processing fees; may need fast internet for onsales	Very high breadth — wide inventory from arenas to grassroots	Largest UK coverage; robust venue integrations; verified primary/resale	Arena tours, major on‑sales, users needing official tickets
See Tickets (UK)	Low — standard checkout and presale flows	Low–moderate — buyer pays resale/processing fees on Fan‑to‑Fan	Good — broad club/theatre/festival coverage with capped resale	Fan‑to‑Fan capped resale; presales and fraud-reduction features	Festival and theatre goers wanting ethical resale and presales
DICE	Low — mobile‑first app and fast checkout	Low — upfront pricing; app account recommended	High for indie — smooth UX, reduced fraud, quick discovery	Upfront pricing; Wait List returns; personalised recommendations	Tastemaker gigs, club shows, app-first discovery seekers
Skiddle	Low — web/app discovery; Re:Sell when enabled	Low–moderate — fees vary; organiser enablement required for resale	Strong — good grassroots and festival access; face‑value resales possible	Focused nightlife coverage; robust search; official Re:Sell option	Club nights, festivals and local nightlife discovery
Ents24	Low — discovery/aggregation portal (checkout on partners)	Low — no on‑site checkout; depends on partner feeds	High for discovery — wide listings and reliable alerts	Broad UK listings; artist/venue tracking; comparison hub	Users comparing dates/venues and tracking new local shows
Songkick	Low — track artists/cities and receive alerts	Low — account for alerts; purchases via partner sellers	High for timeliness — strong "concerts near you" feeds and alerts	Personalised artist alerts; city feeds; links to official sellers	Fans who want to never miss on‑sales for favourite artists

Your Next Live Music Adventure Awaits

Finding your next great "concert near me" is now straightforward with the right tools at your disposal. This guide has walked you through a variety of platforms, from major players like Ticketmaster and See Tickets to specialised discovery apps such as DICE and Songkick. Each offers a unique way to connect with live music, whether you're after stadium tours or grassroots gigs.

The key takeaway is to match the tool to your specific needs. If you're looking for a guaranteed amazing night out in the Abingdon area, focusing on a local expert like Paul Robins Promotions is your most direct route. They curate a calendar of top-tier tribute acts, ensuring a quality experience every time. You know exactly what you’re getting: professional productions in an intimate, accessible venue.

Making Your Choice and Taking Action

To make the most of these resources, consider these final points:

• For Local, Curated Experiences: Go directly to Paul Robins Promotions for a handpicked selection of shows at The Northcourt LIVE. This is ideal for planning a local night out with friends or family, with guaranteed quality acts like Dirty/DC, ABBA Chique, and the incredible Dan Budd as Robbie Williams.

• For Broad Searches and Big Names: Use aggregators like Ents24 or major sellers like Ticketmaster when your search is less specific or you're following a major touring artist across the UK.

• For Spontaneous Discovery: Apps like DICE and Skiddle are excellent for finding last-minute gigs or discovering up-and-coming artists in nearby cities, perfect for the more adventurous music fan.

No matter which path you choose, the goal is the same: to experience the unmatched energy of live performance. Remember to book tickets early for popular shows, especially for acclaimed acts like The Sex Pistols Exposé, famously praised by John Lydon himself. Once you’ve found your perfect gig, why not capture the energy of your favourite shows with some stunning music festival prints to commemorate the experience?

The thrill of anticipation, the roar of the crowd, and the connection with the artists on stage are what make live music so special. You are now fully equipped to find those moments. So, check the listings, gather your friends, and get ready to make some unforgettable memories.

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Ready to find your next unforgettable gig in Abingdon? Visit the official Paul Robins Promotions website to see the full calendar of upcoming tribute shows, from rock legends to pop icons, and book your tickets directly. Your next great "concert near me" is just a click away at Paul Robins Promotions.