Prior to '33', considerable music activity was promoted in Luton by the community arts group Refleks, who went on later to be the core workforce at '33'. Promotions took place at the Royal Hotel and Marsh House with notable performances from, amongst others, Paul Young,  UK Decay, The Damned, and from the jazz world, Anthony Braxton and Steve Lacey. 

'33' later became home to a host of regular music activity through programming of local and national touring rock, jazz, and folk music. '33' also had a recording studio run by Steve 'Spon' Teague, constantly in demand rehearsal spaces, and a sweaty but much loved venue. 

The centre eventually also became home to '33 Records', a major independent jazz and world music label – producing over 350 albums of contemporary music.