Gimle is a live music venue and youth cultural centre at Helligkorsvej 2 in Roskilde, Denmark. Established in 1988, it presents a broad programme covering rock, metal, punk, pop, hip-hop, jazz and other genres alongside comedy and cultural events. Its main concert hall, Tanken, has a standing capacity of around 550 people, while the smaller Kælderen holds approximately 150. The café and bar The Raven can also be used for smaller performances with up to 80 standing guests.

Gimle originally opened on Ringstedgade in 1988 as a privately operated music café, concert venue and restaurant. From the late 1990s, young volunteers became increasingly involved in the concert operation, and in 2000 ownership was transferred to Fonden Gimle. The venue has since developed around a combination of professional staff and a large volunteer organisation. Gimle is also one of Denmark’s Regional Venues, with a programme that includes both established touring artists and developing musicians.

In 2006, Gimle moved into Roskilde’s former waterworks on Helligkorsvej. The site dates back to 1880, when the city’s first municipal waterworks was built there. Several of the historic buildings remain, including the former pump house and residential buildings, while a large water-tank building from 1938 was converted into the main concert hall. The name Tanken refers directly to this former use. Much of the industrial character was retained during the conversion, with the old waterworks adapted for concerts, bars, backstage facilities and other cultural activities.

Metal has become a prominent part of Gimle’s programme, with regular death, thrash, black, folk and power metal concerts. The venue has also established a dedicated volunteer group focused on metal and hard rock events. Bands appearing at Gimle have included Death Angel, Vio-lence, Exhorder, Heathen, Evil Invaders, Vanir, Crocell and Apocalypse Orchestra.

Since 2023, Gimle has also hosted Epic Fest, a two-day festival centred largely on power and fantasy metal. The first edition featured Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Dream Evil, Dragonland and Iron Fire, while later editions have continued to bring international power metal bands to Roskilde. Gimle has also developed Generation Metal, a concert series aimed at introducing metal to children and younger audiences under adapted conditions. Together with the regular year-round programme, these events have given Gimle a strong position within the Danish metal scene.

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ADDRESS:
Helligkorsvej 2, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark

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