Summer starts at Drake Circus and The Barcode

21st July 2026

Drake Circus and The Barcode has kickstarted its summer activity with the relaunch of Barcode Live, a series of local live music acts, and the return of its popular bee-themed installation.  

From Thursday 16 July until Thursday 3 September, music fans in Plymouth can spend summer evenings enjoying live music with The Barcode’s weekly Barcode Live series which spotlights local talent and provides the perfect evening entertainment for a weekday. 

Performers include Route 38, Guello, and Lizzie Corish and the events, which are completely free of change, run between 4 and 5pm every Thursday. From blues and soul to punk, funk and indie, there’ll be something for everyone.  

Meanwhile, the installation has transformed the centre’s atrium and Old Town Street with a statement hive canopy celebrating the role bees and butterflies play in local ecosystems.  

Ahead of the summer holidays, Drake Circus will also be launching an immersive green space for families, with the addition of indoor grass, a flower chair, and additional seating.    

Greg Lumley, centre director at Drake Circus and The Barcode, said: “Summer is the perfect opportunity to spend time with loved ones and enjoy a day out together and there’s plenty to see and do for our visitors over the coming months, including our popular bee installation and music sessions.   

“Our Barcode Live series was incredibly popular last year, and we’re proud to be supporting emerging talent in Plymouth again, providing our visitors with top quality entertainment while giving local artists a platform to grow their music.”  

As part of its broader commitment to supporting Plymouth’s creative community, Drake Circus is keen to hear from musicians who would like to be considered for other events and activations taking place throughout the year, creating further opportunities for local artists to perform in front of new audiences.  

Those interested in performing are invited to register by emailing drakecircus@whitewallmarketing.co.uk. Performances are paid, with artists receiving a fee for each appearance.  

For more information and to plan your visit to Drake Circus and The Barcode, visit www.drakecircus.com