Music Venue Trust, which works to protect, secure and improve grassroots music venues across the UK, today announces a list of 9 new patrons supporting its work.
Bethan Elfyn (BBC Radio Wales), Public Service Broadcasting, Kathryn Williams, KAWALA, Lady Nade, Eddy Temple-Morris (Virgin Radio), Gemma Bradley (BBC Radio Ulster), Jane Beese (Head of Music, Manchester International Festival) and Tre Stead (tour manager) join the likes of Paul McCartney, IDLES‘ Joe Talbot, KD Tunstall in spreading the charity’s message.
Public Service Broadcasting have supported Music Venue Trust’s work since performing at the Fightback fundraiser in October 2016 at Roundhouse, London.
J. Willgoose Esq. said, “Like so many bands, Public Service Broadcasting relied on grassroots music venues in our formative, early years to hone and practice our stage show. In the process we moved from a very static, one-man show with no video element at all to the multi-screen, multi-member outfit we are today. Without those venues at which we could practice, experiment and – crucially – get in front of people, I’m certain we wouldn’t have a career in music. I am very proud to have to have been asked to become a MVT patron and as a band we will do our best to pay back our debt to grassroots venues, and give artists and bands the chance to find their feet (and voices) the way we found ours.”
BBC Radio Wales DJ Bethan Elfyn expressed both her love of these venues and her fears for them, “I’m writing this after months of Covid-19 crisis, with little reprieve ahead. We’re facing an unprecedented threat to the UKs unique, organic, and unmatched music legacy – these venues are the heartbeat of our cities and our culture, and we wait with baited breath to see if they can make it through, the void in our landscape without them doesn’t bear thinking about! To all the unique spaces, tireless promoters, friendly bar staff, enthusiastic DJs, otherworldly musical talent, grumpy engineers, and everyone in the club – we salute you!”
And by Mercury-nominated singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams, “Grassroots music venues are the places where you get to discover new artists supporting the person you went to see. It’s the place where you go again as a punter because you get to know the owners and the staff. On the other side, as an artist touring, they are ports in the seas of motorways and hours on the road. I go back to some venues that I’ve played at for years and feel the warmth from promoters and audiences. It’s like shopping local or supporting small business. You see the heart and the love that goes into them. Gigs are beautiful events that are a one-time thing. It’s a kind of magic really that you can get to play and sing and connect in these places. They are so important to me as a player and listener. Music Venue Trust plays a huge part in supporting and promoting and I’m overjoyed to put my name to the good work they do.”
Music Venue Trust is currently working to secure the 30 venues most in peril of permanent closure across the UK including The Lexington and The Windmill in Brixton.
Please donate if you can. You can see all of MVT’s patrons on the website
