On 18th October, the Music Venue Trust are hosting Venues Day 2016, the only national event aimed specifically at people who run small to medium scale independent music venues. Mark Davyd of MVT explains: “The finances in this sector have been out of whack for years. In the UK, the sustainability of grassroots music venues has become intrinsically linked to the sale of alcohol and other subsidiary trade, like catering, merchandise etc. It’s a thing venue owners and promoters have been hearing for years: “Put this act on, you’ll get a great bar!” In reality, those days are gone.”
He continued: “Music Venue Trust has engaged with the cultural sector (Arts Council England, PRS Foundation, Help Musicians UK etc) to identify ways of bringing some subsidy to these venues, we’re still working on that. We’ve campaigned directly with government to establish the case to reduce core or external costs, such as our successful campaign (working with UK Music and Musicians Union) to remove permitted development rights from spaces near to music venues (reducing legal costs when this occurs), and there’s still more to be done.”
Beverley Whitrick of MVT said: “Venues Day is an important opportunity to bring together representatives from grassroots music venues across the UK and discuss the things that are important to them. Each year we aim to move the agenda forward, improving awareness of the issues and seeking solutions to the challenges.”
On the day at the Roundhouse in London, John Robb will be leading three panel discussions to ask some fundamental questions about the state of venues and what can be done to help. These questions include asking how much money there is, and how it can be increased and how can venues become sustainable but also ensure that touring still makes sense for artists. Some of the panellists confirmed include: Jeff Horton (100 Club), Tim Hornsby (Fibbers York), Nathan Clark (Brudenell Social Club) Sam Duckworth, Mark Moriss and The Anchoress.
Tickets for the event are on sale now.
