With “The UK” set to “lose 10 per cent of its grassroots music venues in 2023”, calls have been growing for the “music industry and larger venues to do more”. The Music Venue Trust has also revealed that 67 venues have closed so far this year alone and claims that “the UK is set to lose 10 per cent of its independent venues by the end of 2023.” Bands and artists alike are questioning, how can this be turned around? 

Support grassroots music venues ❤️✊ https://t.co/AAhI0sMJP9

— ENTER SHIKARI (@ENTERSHIKARI) April 23, 2023

Rou Reynolds, MVT patron and lead vocalist and keyboardist of Enter Shikari says “There are a lot of new arenas on the way, while at the same time, there is no support whatsoever for the grassroots circuit. There’s a very clear link between small venues and big venues – especially in terms of providing new artists with a space to find their way in the industry and find their audience.” He continues ruefully “We’re going to have all these new arenas without supporting the ways that artists can grow into them. It just all seems a bit silly!”

During Venues Day, an event hosted in London by The Music Venue Trust (MVT), the band spoke about their upcoming UK and Ireland arena tour. In their bid to help save grassroots venues, the band is donating £1 for every ticket sold to help save the music community. Speaking at the event they declared “We will not be replaced by another block of f*cking flats.” Demanding the industry to “make it impossible” for any more grassroots gig spaces to close.  The band, which signed a funding agreement with the MVT received the Outstanding Contribution Award for their donations to this cause. 

Enter Shikari Drummer, Rob Rolfe mentions that “Grassroots venues helped” to “cut our teeth, hone our craft, meet and be inspired by other musicians, and how to be a proper touring band,” he also added, “It was also the platform to help us reach an audience and build our own fanbase.”

Venues have struggled over the last few years, with the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and then the cost of living crisis causing rocket-high bills. As many businesses switched to online, venues suffered. Many shut their doors back in 2020 either for a short period of time or for good with the grassroots venues which have remained open relying heavily on “support from crowd-funders or fundraising efforts led, in particular, by the Music Venue Trust (MVT).” 

The ‘A Kiss For The Whole World’ European tour opens tonight in VEGA, Copenhagen