 | |
Type of site | Musicwebzine |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Owner | Giant Digital |
| Created by | Simon Perlaki and Andy D Day |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional |
| Launched | 2001 |
| Current status | Closed in 2024; domain subsequently taken over byAI-driven outfit, who use it as a celebrity-oriented site. |
Gigwise (stylised asGigWise) was a British musicwebzine and later, a printmagazine. The site was founded inLiverpool in 2001, and subsequently moved its headquarters toLondon. Over time, its scope grew from providing gig listings to publishing music news, album reviews, artist interviews, and live music coverage. From 2021–2023, aGigwise print magazine was also published. During its existence,Gigwise's content was reprinted by mainstream news and entertainment outlets includingBBC News,the Guardian andRolling Stone.
Gigwise closed in 2024. The domain was subsequently taken over by anAI-driven outfit, who publish a celebrity-oriented site using theGigwise name.
Gigwise was launched in 2001 inLiverpool, before moving its offices toEast London. Originally a gig listings page,[1] the site evolved into a music news site including album reviews, artist interviews and live music coverage in its content.[2][3] As of October 2010,Gigwise was one of the UK's 20 most-visited music news websites, attracting more readers thanNME.com andBBC Music.[1][4]
In 2011,Gigwise had its own arena at theGet Loaded in the Park festival in London,[5] and hosted the "best song" award at theBT Digital Music Awards.[6] The following year,Gigwise became one of two online media partners for the Strummer of Love festival held inSomerset in aid of the lateJoe Strummer, with the proceeds going to theStrummerville charity.[7]Gigwise was nominated in the "Best Music Media Brand" category at the 2013Music Week awards.[8]
The first ever print edition ofGigwise was published in July 2021, in celebration of the site's 20th anniversary.[9] The magazine continued to be published through 2023, with issue 8 being released that June.[10] Activity onGigwise'sX andFacebook pages ceased that year;[11][12] by May 2024, the site had been taken offline.[1]
During its existence,Gigwise's content was reprinted by mainstream news and entertainment outlets includingBBC News,[13]the Guardian,[14]Rolling Stone,[15]Billboard[16] and theNME.[17] Former site editors include Holly Frith,[18] Michael Baggs,[19] Andy Morris,[20] Andrew Trendell[2] and Cai Trefor.[21] SingerSelf Esteem describedGigwise as a "stellar music magazine".[9]