The record will follow on from the success of ‘Supernova’, the bands sophomore album released in 2022, featuring singles like ‘Choose Your Fighter’ and ‘Antagonist’.

The band have recorded the new album in Vermont, USA, with producer Rich Costey, who has worked on classic albums from My Chemical Romance, Muse, Foo Fighters and Deftones.

In a press release, Nova Twins members Amy Love and Georgia South shared some of the concepts behind their new album: “Parasites & Butterflies is about the bridge between chaos and beauty, embracing and accepting both sides. Supernova was about being superhuman in a time when we needed to be. With Parasites & Butterflies, we wanted to showcase something deeply human: how vulnerability can be as empowering as it is revealing in its honesty. By playing with opposites, light and shade, you can feel a contrast throughout the album. You’ll find songs that make you want to dance, cry, self-reflect, or even escape. Life is a constant balancing act, but the thrill of the unknown is what makes us feel truly alive.”

Alongside the announcement of ‘Parasites & Butterflies’, the band have dropped another song to be featured on the release, titled ‘Soprano’. The track blends alt-rock/metal elements with hip-hop production and pop hooks.

In the same press release, the two rockers gave some context to the track: “Soprano is a celebration of the power of women, especially when we unite. The industry often pits women against each other, and women’s voices are silenced worldwide. But we are still shouting from the rooftops! This song aims to empower, encourage connection, and promote friendship, spreading ‘boss energy’ and lifting each other up.”

The band have also announced a 2025 European and UK tour to accompany their new album. The tour will commence in September, starting out in the Netherlands. They will finish the tour in October with six dates in the UK, scheduling their final stop at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town. All tour dates can be found on the groups website, here.

Nova Twins have recently been confirmed to be playing at Glastonbury 2025, on a bill featuring some big names in rock and metal such as Deftones, Biffy Clyro, Weezer and Bob Vylan. You can see our writeup on the lineup so far here.

The 2022 award show marked the twenty-third event held by the Association of Independent Music (AIM); AIM’s site provides the organisation’s mission statement; “AIM is the not-for-profit trade body exclusively representing the UK’s independent music sector, which makes up a quarter of the recorded music market. Now in its 20th year, AIM’s members range from the largest, most respected record labels and associated music businesses in the world to self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music. AIM promotes and supports this exciting and diverse sector globally and provides a range of services, commercial opportunities and practical help to members, enabling them to innovate, grow and break into new markets.”

Talking about this year’s ceremony, AIM CEO Paul Pacifo stated, “Tonight is about us as a community celebrating the incredible successes of the world-beating U.K. independent music sector. It is a hugely competitive market out there, but we understand that we are stronger together and a win for one of us is a win for all of us.”

Such a beautiful album. Well done to @cleosol! @4livingoriginal pic.twitter.com/IfZ1wMH1hQ

— AIM (@AIM_UK) September 28, 2022

Consisting of twenty-one award categories, the annual ceremony saw some of the UK’s most prominent figures and labels within the independent music industry battle it out for the prestigious accolades. The first category, Best Independent album, was awarded to singer-songwriter Cleo Sol for her album Mother, also included within the nominees was chart favourite Dave, for his release We’re All Alone In This Together. The British rapper was also nominated for Best Independent Track for the single “Starlight“; the gong was bestowed to Nova Twins for their track “Antagonist”. The rock duo were also nominated for the coveted U.K. Independent breakthrough gong; fellow chart darling Wet Leg took home the award. Speaking via a video link, the group stated, “Thanks so much for the breakthrough award. It’s been a really wild year for us and we just want to take this opportunity to thank our team and all the other members of our new-found family. As a great man once said, ‘To infinity and beyond!‘”

An incredible headline set from @libertines #AIMAwards2022 @RoughTradeRecs pic.twitter.com/kj4qUOkcQQ

— AIM (@AIM_UK) September 28, 2022

.@LethalBizzle smashed it! pic.twitter.com/GCFd9B71HR

— AIM (@AIM_UK) September 28, 2022

Along with the winning announcements, the event became a massive hit for its headliner act, Indie legends The Libertines performed at the ceremony. Also billed to appear as a special guest was British icon Lethal Bizzle; during the award show the London-born artist was awarded the Outstanding Contribution gong to honour his contribution to the arts and to celebrate his two-decade-long career. Speaking to BANG Showbiz, the artist said, “It feels great, you know, I’m 20 plus years in and when you get to this stage in your career sometimes things can be forgotten. I feel like it’s a nice acknowledgement and it’s a proud moment for my hard work to be recognised like this.”

The 40-year-old Grime star’s performance marked his first live appearance since the pandemic; within his statement, Lethal Bizzle continued to discuss his touring plans, “This year I dropped my new project, a celebratory 20th anniversary project called ‘Lethal B vs Lethal Bizzle’ which is out now and I’m still working on that right now. And next year, I’m hoping to get back on the road. I’m actually performing tonight, it’s gonna be my first show since the pandemic so, you know, I’m gonna be a bit rusty but it’s gonna be fun.“

Guests and nominees had already started to arrive at the London venue including Sam Fender and Little Simz who had been rehearsing their performances. The show was scheduled to be screened on BBC Four, however, the BBC’s regular programming was interrupted to focus on the declining health of Queen Elizabeth. The organisers had already axed the red carpet segment of the event and they were moments away from opening the show, until being forced to postpone as a mark of respect.“Tonights Mercury Prize event has been postponed at this time of great national sorrow. We know everyone involved in the Mercury Prize will understand,” the organisers said in a statement.

The nominees for this year’s Mercury Prize also included Self Esteem, Wet Leg, Harry Styles and Gwenno. Harry Styles was nominated for his critically acclaimed third solo album but was not due to attend as he is currently on tour in America. The ceremony was set to include performances from Jessie Buckley, Wet Leg, Nova Twins and bookies’ favourite to win, Self Esteem.  

If anyone near the Hammersmith Apollo can collect hot food and blast chill it please reply or dm me for more info. The other food has been hooked up with the local church. Pls rt.

— Rebecca Lucy Taylor (@SELFESTEEM___) September 8, 2022

Self Esteem, real name Rebecca Taylor, had arrived at the event before the postponement was announced. Upon hearing the show would not be going ahead, she took to Twitter to seek help in donating the food and drink that had been prepared for the event. “If anyone near the Hammersmith Apollo can collect hot food and blast chill it please reply or dm me for more info. The other food has been hooked up with the local church. Pls rt.” she wrote. After much sharing, Under One Sky and Punjabi 1946 came in to freeze the food and distribute it to those who need it. “Ok we did it!!” she Tweeted, “@amritmaanldn is picking it up and getting it in a freezer to be distributed tomorrow!!! Thanks Jackie Joseph for your help. And thanks Twitter for the rts! Everyone hit up Amrit’s restaurant in cov garden asap. Love you all.”

The BBC Proms were also set to begin at 7.30 pm yesterday. With the announcement of the Queen’s death an hour earlier, they too decided to cancel as a mark of respect.

When the shortlist was announced judges commented on the official website that “Getting down to 12 albums this year was not easy, simply because there were so many remarkable ones to choose from.” “We feel that these 12 amazing albums each have something to say artistically and socially, all in their own unique, enriching ways.”

Of the 12 nominees, Little Simz is shortlisted for the second time with her critically acclaimed Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. Under The Radar described the album as “The kind of project that cements her status as one of the most talented artists of her generation.” It won Best Album from NME, an Ivor Novello award and Best New Artist at the Brits.

Upon finding out she was nominated, Little Simz told Radio 6: “I am feeling grateful; very, very blessed, this is my second time round now.” “When you’re an artist, a creative making art, you just do it because it’s a release. I had some things to say and this was my way of expressing it and it’s a blessing people have resonated with it.”

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert has been shortlisted for the @MercuryPrize 22’ so grateful. Love to my brother Inflo for always backing it, and pouring love in abundance into the music. And to YOU, the people. Thank you for the continued support on this album pic.twitter.com/JjTwTvEyN5

— Little Simz (@LittleSimz) July 26, 2022

Joining Little Simz on the list is Newcastle rock singer Sam Fender. He has received his debut nomination for Seventeen Going Under, his second album which won two NME Awards. “Seventeen Going Under is a very personal and important record for me and the boys, and for it to be recognised is insane,” he told BBC Radio 6, “It is an absolute honour and I am chuffed. Fingers crossed and we’ll see what happens, but just to be nominated is an honour.”

The most commercially-successful album on the list comes from ex-One Direction bandmate Harry Styles. His third studio album Harry’s House has had 6 weeks at number one on the UK charts. The album had the best first-week sales in Styles’ career. It was the fastest-selling album of 2022 in the UK and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200.

The majority of the list is made up of first-time nominees. Indie band Wet Leg are nominated for their debut album, their debut single “Chaise Longue” was a viral hit in 2021; and dance-metal duo Nova Twins are up for their second album, Supernova. 

The full shortlist: 

Forest Floor – Fergus McCreadie

Tresor – Gwenno

Harry’s House – Harry Styles

For All Our Days That Tear the Heart – Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler

Skin – Joy Crookes

Reason to Smile – Kojey Radical

Sometimes I Might be Introvert – Little Simz

Supernova – Nova Twins

Seventeen Going Under – Sam Fender

Prioritise Pleasure – Self Esteem

Wet Leg – Wet Leg

The Overload – Yard Act

Tickets will be available for the ceremony from www.eventimapollo.com.

A description on the AIM Independent Music Award’s website provides the ceremony’s mission statement, “The AIM Awards 2022 marks the twenty-third year of the Association of Independent Music (AIM) and champions industry-leading creativity, innovation, and performance shown by independent artists, labels, and outstanding individuals. Since 2010, the AIM Independent Music Awards have honoured an extraordinary array of independent artists, music companies and industry figures including: Björk, Stormzy, Adele, The Prodigy, Peggy Gou, Wolf Alice, London Grammar, Jorja Smith, Christine and the Queens, Daughter, SOPHIE, 4AD, Ninja Tune, Transgressive, Martin Mills (Beggars), Goldie and Steve Beckett (Warp).”

Today we’re revealing the first wave of nominees for the AIM Independent Music Awards 2022, taking place at Camden’s iconic @RoundhouseLDN on September 28th.

Keep you’re eyes on our socials today to find out who is nominated for the following categories… pic.twitter.com/Ii25LXlbkw

— AIM (@AIM_UK) July 21, 2022

Multi-talented British artist FKA Twigs, Dave and Indie group Wet Leg are all in the running for the accolade Best Independent Track in association with Meta. FKA Twigs has been nominated for her single “Tears In The Club (feat. The Weeknd)”, Dave was nominated for his track “Starlight” and Wet Leg scored a nod for their hugely popular single “Chaise Longue“. All three artists will be up against seven more artists to win the accolade including Nova Twins, Anz and Yves Tumor.

Alt-rock duo Wet Leg will also be up against Nova Twins for the category of UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music. The prize’s criteria confirms that the act must be an independent artist who has acquired some notoriety within the UK over the past year and must be self-released or signed to an independent label.

This year sees the inclusion of a new category, Best Independent EP/Mixtape. The brand-new award holds the following criteria, “Recognising the best independent EP/mixtape of the past year. The EP/mixtape must be by an artist signed to a UK/ROI based independent label or be self-released by an artist based in the UK/ROI. The EP/mixtape must have been released between 4th May 2021 and 26th April 2022“. The category marks FKA Twigs’ second nomination for this year’s AIM Independent Music Award; the artist was nominated for CAPRISONGS. Also included in the nominees list are Joy Oribnson for Still Slippin Vo.1, Surya Sen for At What Cost?, TAAHLIAH for Angelica and Wesley Joseph for ULTRAMARINE.

British rapper Dave scores his second nomination within the category Best Independent Album in association with Spotify, the artist has been put forward for the accolade due to his release We’re All Alone In This Together. Also up for the award are producer and artist Boj for Gbagda Express, Children Of Zeus for Balance, Cleo Sol for Mother, Dave Okumu for Knopperz, Emma-Jean Thackray for Yellow, Mustafa for When Smoke Rises, Nilufer Yanya for Painless, SAULT for NINE and Walt Disco for Unlearning.

The #AIMAwards2022 vote is now open for ‘Best Live Performer’

Every act on this long list has been submitted by their teams & a public vote decides the shortlist & winner. This free online poll closes at 2pm on Thursday 18th August Vote here https://t.co/HVDDwmcpXQ pic.twitter.com/MYvyghXent — AIM (@AIM_UK) July 21, 2022

This year’s ceremony consists of four more categories; Best Second Album in association with BBC Radio 6 Music, Best Independent Remix and One To Watch in association with BBC Introducing. The final category, Best Live Performer, stands alone as a very special accolade as a fan vote will decide the winner; the voting is now open and is accessed via this link.

In pictures: All the action from the Kerrang! Awards 2022 https://t.co/Vaqajwcyfz pic.twitter.com/V0GBDFIr2j

— Kerrang! (@KerrangMagazine) June 24, 2022

The Kerrang! Awards have remained a staple for any music fan and were founded by the alternative music publication in 1994. Since its formation, the ceremony and its various accolades have become notable recognitions, garnering respect for any act. This year’s annual music show was presented by comedian Ed Gamble and consisted of fourteen award categories, nine of which are voted by a fan poll.

Luke Morton, Kerrang! Editor has given the following statement, “The alternative music scene is more exciting than ever in 2022, and this year’s Kerrang! Awards underlines our commitment to supporting new music and championing the underdogs. I’m so proud to introduce three new categories that strike at the heart of the underground and the alternative community, while also recognising the stadium-conquering legends who have paved the way and make the alt. scene the most inspiring place to be right now. Our world is alive with positive change – get on board.”

The Icon Award presented by Marshall remains one of the ceremony’s most coveted awards, this year the prestigious accolade was awarded to Green Day. The American punk veterans were presented the award for their long and historic career, the East Bay-formed trio have been releasing hits since their formation in 1987. Another esteemed American band were honoured during the ceremony, Fall Out Boy were given the Inspiration Award. Influential rockers Weezer also won big at the awards, the “Buddy Holly” hitmakers were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame.

This year’s winners consisted of several British acts, Bring Me the Horizon won Best Song for their single “Die4u”. The group are no stranger to the alt-rock music awards, the band have won eight accolades at the Kerrang! Awards, they first won The Best British Newcomer in 2006. The Best British Act award presented by Dead Man’s Fingers Rum was scooped by Biffy Clyro, the Scottish rockers beat out Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, Venom Prison, Neck Deep and Loathe to claim the award.

 

 

 

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Presented by Music Venue Trust, Best Live Act was awarded to Twenty One Pilots, the band took to the stage to accept the award just before a scheduled performance at London O2 Academy Brixton. London-formed rock duo Nova Twins are crowned this year’s Best British Breakthrough presented by MEATliquor, the group’s most recent album Supernova was released this month and placed high within the UK album charts.

This year also saw the induction of new categories, the New Noise Award presented by Dr Martins, The Disputer Award and the Grassroots Award. The New Noise accolade was created to celebrate the Grassroots music scene and acknowledge up-and-coming bands who show tremendous promise, this year it was awarded to WARGASM. Trap artist Mimi Barks was given The Disruptor Award, the singer recently released the single DEADGIRL last month to much applause. Inspiring figure Janey Starling was the receiver of The Grassroots Award, the activist is the co-director of the renowned feminist organisation Level-Up and has led many other successful campaigns.

Full List of 2022 Winners

Kerrang! Icon Presented by Marshall – Green Day
Best Live Act Presented by Music Venue Trust – Twenty One Pilots
New Noise Award Presented by Dr. Martin – WARGASM
Best International Breakthrough presented by Blinding Talent – Amyl And The Sniffers
The Disruptor Award – Mimi Barks
Kerrang! Hall Of Fame – Weezer
Best Album – Bob Vylan – Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life
Grassroots Award – Janey Starling
Best British Breakthrough presented by MEATliquor – Nova Twins
Best Festival presented by Strongbow Ultra – Download Pilot
Best British Act presented by Dead Man’s Fingers Rum – Biffy Clyro
Best International Act – Poppy
Best Song – Bring Me The Horizon – “DiE4u”
Kerrang! Inspiration Award –  Fall Out Boy

This latest track was inspired by the rise of Black Lives Matter, something especially important to the Nova Twins. Both Amy Love (vocals/guitar) and Georgia South (bass) are mixed-race, with Love explaining that “Cleopatra’ was written off the back of the Black Lives Matter protests. Attending them made us feel powerful as two mixed-race women in an era where people were suddenly waking up to Anti Racists conversations. It’s about celebrating who we are and being proud of where we come from. We hope this song encourages people from all walks of life to act and feel the same way too.”

The album as a whole will probably have a range of topics to deal with, at least judging by songs like “K. M. B” getting their say. But one thing that really helped shape its development (and that of most music at the moment) was the pandemic. The band have said that “‘Supernova’ is the beginning of a new era. As we delved into the unknown, making this album became our medicine through a turbulent time …. It’s a journey of lockdown and coming out the other end a winner. We’re really excited. “

Having been called by Tom Morello “the best band you’ve never heard of”, there’s plenty of reason to be excited by this new spate of activity. Supernova will be out on June 17^th via Marshall Music, and that’s not all. In support of the album’s release, the duo have recently announced three special UK tour dates in November, promised as their “biggest UK headline shows to date“. You can see the complete dates below, and if you’re interested in getting tickets you can look here. The tracklist of the new album can be seen below as well.

So excited to announce our ‘Supernova’ album tour These are gunna be our biggest UK headline shows to date, happening November 2022!! Pre-order our upcoming 2nd album by 8pm GMT on March 15th for exclusive access to pre-sale tickets https://t.co/YjOAiXOwjK pic.twitter.com/flYtGETZKm

— NOVA TWINS (@NovaTwinsMusic) March 14, 2022

Nova Twins UK Tour Dates

10/11/2022 – Glasgow – St Luke’s
11/11 – Manchester – Academy 2
12/11 – London – Electric Brixton

Supernova Tracklist

1.Power (Intro)
2. Antagonist
3. Cleopatra
4. K.M.B.
5. Fire & Ice
6. Puzzles
7. A Dark Place For Somewhere Beautiful
8. Toolbox
9. Choose Your Fighter
10. Enemy
11. Sleep Paralysis

Honoured to be part of this amazing compilation alongside some incredible talent to raise money for Reclaim These Streets @ReclaimTS

New Moons XVI will be released on 10th February @TMFederation https://t.co/idg5oYmAev

— KT Tunstall (@KTTunstall) January 20, 2022

The compilation features songs exclusively by female and non-binary artists, and in addition to Nova Twins, the roster includes the likes of Australian punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers, American rock duo Deap Vally and indie/alternative group Pleasure Venom from Austin, Texas.

The cover of the forthcoming compilation was designed by Will Power of Bad Nerves, portraying an image of the UK’s home secretary Priti Patel, as a means of criticising her for her lack of consideration in regard to women’s safety.

Nova Twins’ contribution to the compilation is a song entitled “Bullet”, which was originally featured on their 2020 debut full-length album Who Are The Girls? The song is an explosive, lyrically biting track that deals with the realities of sexual harassment, with lyrics such as; “Who the fuck you calling? I’m that girl you couldn’t get and now you hate me for it? I’m not asking for it, don’t you ever touch my hair unless you’re paid to cut it.” The song is exemplary of Nova Twin’s sound, which fuses grime and punk; a genre-blend the duo refers to as “urban punk”.

The group originally formed back in 2014, and is comprised of two childhood friends; vocalist and guitarist Amy Love and bassist Georgia South. Originally called BRAATS, the group changed their name after the release of their first single “Bad Bitches”. The first song the band released under the Nova Twins moniker was entitled “Bassline Bitch”, which was released in April of 2015. Following the release of their self-titled E.P., the duo spent a lot of 2017 touring, having accompanied the likes of Prophets of Rage, Wolf Alice and Little Simz. In 2020, the band released their debut album Who Are The Girls? The album received largely positive reviews, and resulted in the band winning Best U.K. Breakthrough Band at the Heavy Music Awards in 2020.

To re-iterate, the compilation will be released on February 10^th. The track list can be viewed below.

1). Amyl & The Sniffers – ‘Knifey’
2). Nova Twins – ‘Bullet’
3). TELGATE – ‘Love Zone’
4). Deap Vally – ‘Royal Jelly’
5). KT Tunstall – ‘In This Body’
6). Cruel Hearts Club – ‘Sink This Low’
7). IDestroy – ‘Petting Zoo’
8). pink suits – ‘Fake Great Britain’
9). BLAB – ‘Eton Mess’
10). Pleasure Venom – ‘We Get What You Deserve’

Nova Twins consisting of vocalist/guitarist Amy Love and bassist Georgia South has been named by Rolling Stone UK magazine as “the most vital rock band in Britain right now”. The band headlined the Climate Live show and performed alongside indie rock band Second Thoughts and Dj sets from Girli and July Jones. See the footage and pictures from the gig below:

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>One of the tracks performed by the duo was their recent single “Antagonist”. The song has been released last month via Marshall Records and was their first new music since the debut album from 2020 Who Are The Girls?. The song debuted on Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1 with Clara Amfo on 27th October. Watch the video for it below. 

Nova Twins shared recently that they are five songs ahead in the recording process of the next, second album. South commented: “We’re definitely experimenting with things, and it sounds more like us than ever, in a way. All those little details and the scrappiness of things, that’s what feels ‘Nova’. To stay DIY but to keep progressing, it’s cool to send a message that anyone can do it… Just get grafting, and you can make magic”.

“Our thing has always been that if you can’t play it yourself on guitar, drums and bass, it’s not going on the record. We’re not saying that we’ll never go bigger, but for where we’re at with a second record, it’s nice to feel like it’s still a ‘come as you are’ kind of thing. We don’t want to say too much just yet, but trust us – when this album comes out, we feel like you’ll know about it!” added Love.

The Climate Live initiative has been launched in November last year and debuted this year’s April. They aim to “enlarge the global movement [to fight climate change] by engaging with a new audience through music”. 

“It all began as a glimmer of an idea in May 2019 that then caught the attention of youth across the globe. It has been humbling to see so many getting involved: there have been regular calls with organisers in over 40 countries as we grappled with the logistics to pull all the events off. It was incredible seeing Greta Thunberg launch the first of the concerts in 20 countries across the world and here we are today with the latest in the series” commented Climate Live Founder Frances Fox. You can take part in the initiative by signing the petition to target world leaders here.

Nova Twins are off touring later this month, supporting Sleaford Mods and Enter Shikari. See the full list of 2021 tour dates below, tickets are available here.

01/12/21 O2 Academy – Bristol (with SleafordMods)
02/12 – Printworks -London (with Sleaford Mods)
04/12 – Alexandra Palace – London (with Enter Shikari)
05/12 – Victoria Warehouse – Sale (with Enter Shikari)
07/12 – The Engine Shed – Lincoln (with Enter Shikari)
08/12 – University Union Asylum – Hull (with Enter Shikari)
09/12 – O2 Academy Bristol – Bristol (with Enter Shikari)
11/12 – Mountford Hall – Liverpool (with Enter Shikari)
12/12 – O2 Academy Leeds – Leeds (with Enter Shikari)
13/12 – Usher Hall – Edinburgh (with Enter Shikari)
15/12 – O2 Academy Brixton – Birmingham (with Enter Shikari)
16/12 – The Great Hall – Cardiff (with Enter Shikari)
17/12 – O2 Guildhall Southampton – Southampton (with Enter Shikari)
19/12 – Town Hall – Middlesbrough (with Enter Shikari)
20/12 – Rock City – Nottingham (with Enter Shikari)

Sarah Claudine, who runs Events, Projects & Communications at Music Venue Trust, said: “We are very proud to have so many remarkable women contribute to MVT, from our core team and coordinators to our board of trustees and patrons and know that this diversity is reflective of the changing face of the wider live music community.” 

We announced 6 new patrons last week, ahead of #IWD2021
Say hello to @NovaTwinsMusic, @adwaithband, @DJMoxie, @haaidj, @kerriwatt, @motherartists
Read more https://t.co/3uA2TeZHzX#WomenToTheFront #ChooseToChallenge pic.twitter.com/pRl5EPWPcU

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) March 8, 2021

English rock duo Nova Twins said: “We owe so much to grassroots venues. They are the only way new bands can gain experience and start their careers! They support new artists and bring together an incredible community of local music lovers and musicians. They are essential for smaller bands touring around the UK. Without them, we don’t know where we’d be today!” 

Australian DJ and producer HAAi stated: “My first years in the UK were spent playing in and going to grassroots venues. These were so crucial in not only nurturing me as a musician and performer, but also served as a safe house for likeminded creatives. These venues allow freedom of expression. Now, as a touring DJ, I understand the importance of smaller venues in really developing your craft. Without them we would be stuck in a commercial loop that is less accessible to rising talent to break through. Because of this, I am proud to be an ambassador for the Music Venue Trust.” 

Director of Mother Artists Live Natasha Gregory added: “Our industry is (and our communities are) nothing without Grassroots Music Venues. It’s the start of every band’s dreams. It’s where they learn their craft, meet their fans face to face, share a drink, and form a loyal following for years to come, memories to last a lifetime and the only way to build long term solid foundations.”

Music Venue Trust has also marked International Women’s Day by using social media to shine a light on women who are doing vital work in the grassroots venue sector. They have started a campaign using the hashtag #WomenToTheFront to celebrate these fantastic women throughout the week. 

Happy International Women’s Day! This year, MVT are bringing #WomenToTheFront by spotlighting some of our brilliant team- we’ll be posting their stories all week!
Up first is our Strategic Director Beverley Whitrick, talking about the challenges women can face in the industry. pic.twitter.com/qKHNLwidpI

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) March 8, 2021