To help Grassroots teetering on the brink of closure amidst the coronavirus crisis, ‘Passport: Back To Our Roots’ will feature a selection of diverse artists who have promised to play one-off intimate gigs in independent music venues across the United Kingdom.

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In 2021 I’ll be playing at Corsica Studios for Passport: Back to Our Roots, a series of one-off intimate gigs, supporting independent venues, and the UK live music scene. I used to go to Corsica Studios almost every week when I lived in Brixton, and I’m definitely going to be there a lot more when we’re allowed to again. By donating £5, you have the chance to win entry to the event when it is safe for it to happen (date TBC 2021). Entries open 14th September and all money goes towards helping these independent venues. Can’t wait to play. Link in stories.

A post shared by Jamie xx (@jamie___xx) on Sep 10, 2020 at 3:40am PDT

 The organisers of the ‘Passport’ fundraiser have confirmed today (September 10th) that Metronomy are set to perform in Brighton nightclub, Patterns, whilst Jamie xx will be playing at Corsica Studios, situated in Elephant and Castle in London.

Confirmed acts for the fundraising event include Everything Everything, The Slow Reader’s Club, and The Pet Shop Boys. However, dates for Metronomy, Jamie xx, or the other gigs in the series remain unconfirmed. Organisers have also maintained that they will only move forward once social distancing measures are no longer required within independent music venues.

Jamie xx, real name James Smith, took to social media to announce his support for Grassroots venues. Posting details of the campaign’s prize draw to Instagram, Jamie xx spoke on how the fundraiser has struck a personal chord for his own beloved music venue.

The Gosh musician stated that  “I used to go to Corsica Studios almost every week when I lived in Brixton, and I’m definitely going to be there a lot more when we’re allowed to again.” Jamie xx fans were certainly supportive of the artist’s pledge, as the post has gathered over 8,000 likes in a few short hours. 

 

 

 

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We last played at patterns Brighton (then Audio) in 2008 with @thexx. It just goes to show how important small venues are in building the careers of band like ours. Please follow the link in Stories to find out how you could be in with a chance of seeing us perform live at @patternsbtn once more! A post shared by Metronomy (@metronomy) on Sep 10, 2020 at 5:38am PDT

Metronomy followed suit and also announced their support of ‘Passport: Back To Our Roots’ on Instagram today. Metronomy, like Jamie xx, have not forgotten their roots, writing nostalgically “We last played at patterns Brighton (then Audio) in 2008 with @thexx. It just goes to show how important small venues are in building the careers of band like ours.”  Obtaining over 2,000 likes, fans were quick to support Metronomy’s decision to play the important benefit gig. 

Tickets to a ‘Passport’ gig are hard to come by, the only chance being an entry in the prize draw with a minimum donation of £5. The prize draw will begin on September 14th and run for three weeks until October 5th. Each week, fans will be entered into the draw, and winners will be able to attend the concert of their choice.

Metronomy lead guitarist Joe Mount recently spoke on how Grassroots venues are integral and can be career-making for musicians, both rising stars and legacy artists. Mount declared that “These small venues aren’t just the modest beginnings for bands that make it big. They also supply performance spaces for choirs and theatre groups, for example.” 

Southampton Joiners, Brighton Freebutt, and Leeds Cockpit were all vital venues for Metronomy when they were rising stars themselves. Mount stressed that preservation of Grassroots venues is paramount, adding “We have already reaped the rewards of performing in the intimate surroundings that places like Patterns in Brighton provide.”

Mount continued: “Now we’d like to help secure the future of as many small venues as possible so that the world at large can keep discovering the new and exciting talent that they nurture.” More information about ‘Passports: Back To Our Roots’ can be found here.