The Importance of Grassroots Music Venues

As a student, finding time for the things I enjoy between work and university life is often a challenge, therefore going to gigs provides the perfect escape. A cheap evening out at a local pub is always a good time and live music only adds to this. Grassroots venues make this possible.

Grassroots venues are places (usually local pubs and bars) where unsigned artists are able to perform to small audiences in order to practise their skills on stage and introduce their music to a wider variety of people. They are an integral part of the UK music scene, playing host to subcultures across the country. Many people, including myself, are first introduced to live music in these venues. A few years ago a friend of mine suggested we go along to see a hardcore band perform at a local venue. It was cramped, the entire place just one small room at the top of some narrow stairs, but it was all we needed to be hooked. From then on most weekends were spent frequenting different venues and a proper community was formed around going to gigs. This group is how I came to know some of my closest friends and the backdrop for all of it were the venues that hosted us. 

During the winter months, having gigs to look forward to throughout the week served as a brilliant distraction from how miserable the weather can get. They were cheaper than a coffee out in town, kept us occupied all evening and were the perfect place to run into almost everyone we knew - really what wasn’t to love. The sense of community I found with my friends at BN1 hardcore is something I think everyone should experience, and is why I feel so strongly about supporting local venues. 

Turning a profit is a herculean task for a grassroots venue as the events they run don’t attract large audiences and maintenance costs aren’t going to cover themselves. This has led to many closures in recent years and the evaporation of local scenes. Fortunately, a £5 million grant from Arts Council England has been introduced to help out struggling venues, allowing them to find their feet again after the pandemic but this is nowhere near enough. There are too many venues for everyone to receive a sufficient amount of support so threats of closure are still very real. You can help out though! The best way to support a local scene is to join in. Head down to a venue near you and dance along to a band you’ve never heard of that’s playing a genre you didn’t know you enjoyed. I guarantee nights like these will become your new favourites.