The Cluny has a live music venue that has been described as “one of the most important venues for breaking bands in the region”. Notable acts to have played the venue in recent years include The Vapors, The Vaccines, Glasvegas, The Futureheads, Mumford & Sons, I Am Kloot, Editors, We Are Scientists, Daniel Johnston, Arctic Monkeys, Kate Nash, Graham Coxon, Seasick Steve, Mercury Prize nominees Led Bib, The Go! Team and Paul Heaton.

From 1999 to 2003, Keith Morris and Charlie McGovern ran the influential weekly Schmazz jazz club at The Cluny, bringing radical performers like Gilad Atzmon and Reem Kelani to the city.

In 2002, Dannii Minogue played the venue in support of her single “Put The Needle On It”.

On 20 January 2007, Maxïmo Park previewed their second album, Our Earthly Pleasures in its entirety at The Cluny.

In January 2008, as part of The JD Set, Peter Hook collaborated with The Wombats on a one-off live performance of their single Backfire at the Disco. A live recording of the song was released in April 2008, as a b-side on the single’s re-release.

In February 2008, Duffy played at The Cluny, the gig coinciding with the Welsh singer’s second week at number one with her single Mercy. In November 2008, Solange Knowles, younger sister of Beyoncé Knowles, played at The Cluny as part of her first UK tour.

The Cluny is also one of the venues to be used for the filming of The JD Set, broadcast on Channel 4, and is also one of the key venues for the indoor programme of the Evolution Festival, UK.

In September 2010, The Cluny played host to a series of concerts, on three consecutive nights, by the legendary New York Dolls. In January, 2017, Tyketto performed there.