Welcome back to MB, DontSayYouWont!
I love music, too, but I can dance to anybody even without a drop of alcohol!
I hope you and your friend will be able to escape from minimum wages and mind numbing work
...and so I wish you good fortune and fun in your joint endeavor, which I can see you are passionate about.
It's great that you discovered and completed a university degree in "Live Music Event Management and Production." Have you found it to be useful? Your experience in hospitality and catering events probably gives you much hands-on training in how to create a party atmosphere and a good time at a gig.
The only person I can think of on MusicBanter who is in your area and plays music professionally, plus does his own promotion (I think), is Aidy at
Official Site, and I mention him because you might enjoy seeing what *he* has done to promote himself and his music by using various gimmicks and strategies. If you've heard of him, then it is working!
Also, maybe he'd appreciate a contact (you) in nearby London, and he probably knows quite a few bands wanting to play venues.