Why Trust the Guide?

Why Trust the Guide

We’re not Yelp. No ads. No paid placements. Just purpose.

Tracks & Tales exists for one reason: to help people find the best places to truly listen. We’re not swayed by marketing budgets, hype, or PR spin. The only thing we care about is the sound, the space, and the experience.

Are reviews anonymous?

Yes — and deliberately so. Our ambassadors and scouts visit venues quietly, without fanfare. We experience the space as any guest would. That way, what we review is real, not a performance for the reviewer.

How do you keep the guide unbiased?

We never accept payment, freebies, or perks in exchange for a listing or review. Venues can’t influence our scoring. Every assessment is based on our global Tracks & Tales Star criteria — the same five principles applied from London to Tokyo.

Why can’t venues pay for inclusion?

Because trust is the currency. If a venue could simply buy its way in, the whole thing would fall apart. We’d rather stay small, independent, and respected than compromise the integrity of the guide.

What makes a Tracks & Tales review more reliable?

We’re not crowdsourcing opinions — we’re curating expertise. Every review is written after a physical visit by an ambassador or trusted scout. Our system rewards consistency over time, not just one good night. And every year, stars are re-earned.

In short: we’re building a guide worth following. One that stands for something, and listens as much as it speaks.