Reader recommends - Live music venues

Every week, we'll be looking for your recommendations of the best places to eat, drink and enjoy yourselves across the West Midlands and Staffordshire.

This week, we asked our Twitter and Facebook followers to name the best live music venues in the region and the suggestions came flying in. Here are the most popular destinations that they chose:

Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton's Civic Hall has been one of the most important live venues in the country for decades and was a popular choice amongst our followers.

Bands love to play at the Civic and, recently, it has attracted big names to the region such as Roger Daltrey, Kasabian, Lou Reed and Plan B.

On Twitter, @craigallenuk said it has the "best atmosphere and sound quality" while @M4WTN added that it was one of the two best venues in the Midlands, along with...

The Robin 2, Bilston

With its capacity of 700, The Robin 2 is frequently packed to the rafters and offers a great gig atmosphere.

Offering up largely specialist acts, the venue has recently hosted concerts by Glenn Hughes, of Deep Purple and Black Country Communion and Joanne Shaw Taylor, another local artist.

Christine Brant told us on our Facebook page that the best thing about the venue is the "crowds buzz and the sound is great" and Darrell Yates added that is "good value with lots of variety."

Cannock Chase Forest, Cannock

A surprising choice perhaps, given the infrequency of concerts, but Cannock Chase clearly stuck in the minds of our followers who were quick to recommend it.

Most recently playing host to Erasure and Simple Minds, the only thing that they could criticise is that the open-air venue doesn't get used very often.

@NJHag said "Cannock Chase is an excellent outdoor venue which should be used more" and @tweetgetkazood praised its "breathtaking scenery and live music."

JB's, Dudley

Now sadly missed after its closure this year, JB's still picked up votes from those that used to enjoy what claimed to be the longest-running live music venue in the country.

JB's has hosted performances by bands such as U2, Blur, Dire Straits and Judas Priest and regularly featured up-and-coming bands.

Steve Briscoe told us on Facebook that "it had something that most music venues don't have - history and atmosphere. JB's is a world-class brand."

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

With its world class acoustics and stunning auditorium, the Symphony Hall is considered one of the UK's best concert halls.

Offering rock, jazz and pop artists to complement its classic music programme, the venue seats 2,262 and is attended by 370,000 people every year.

Laurence Simpson said: "It is a great venue for all sorts of music and the sound quality is amazing."

What are your favourite live music venues in the region? Let us know whether you agree with these choices and tell us your own in the comments below: