Featured image: Credit: Humber Street Sesh/Luke Hallett
Before arena shows, before stadium shows, we have grassroots music venues. These are the heart of any live music scene, but reports show that many have been operating at a loss over the past 12 months and, worse still, 2024 saw one shut every two weeks.
We’re spending the day at Hull’s Humber Street Sesh on 2nd August, where we’ll encounter countless musicians who rely on these crucial grassroots venues. Indie rock, punk, pop, metal, hip-hop, R&B, country, folk, rock ‘n’ roll… You name it, the festival is a buzzing hive of genres. Like many independent festivals up and down the country, it’s the place to be to catch your favourite up-and-coming artists and to discover new music.
But where would these musicians be without the foundations laid by their local venues? And how would they work their way up to bigger stages without the support of their community?
We’re musicians ourselves at Gear4music, so we get just how vital and loved these small-scale gigs are. Our lives would be boring without them! In this article, we’ll explain what exactly grassroots music venues are and how we define them, why they’re needed, and the reasons to keep supporting and cherishing them (as if we needed to tell you!).
Key takeaways
- Large or small, grassroots music venues are run by people who have a good understanding of the local music scene
- Their programme spotlights emerging bands and solo artists
- Practically every music artist you can think of will have started in a grassroots music venue
- Musicians need them to get their careers off the ground
- Economically, they’re crucial; they boost footfall to surrounding businesses and collaborate with other local establishments
- Without grassroots music venues, where would we go to see live music without paying the extortionate prices for arena and stadium tickets?
How we define grassroots music venues
Grassroots music venues are defined by a few parameters that are accepted in the UK by Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Small venues have a capacity of less than 350, mid-sized venues have a capacity of 351-650, and large venues have a capacity of 651 or more. However, what truly defines them as grassroots is their cultural, social, and economic roles, as well as their infrastructure.
These venues are independently run by people who know the local music scene inside out. Their programme of gigs and events – and the venue itself – are curated with care by music professionals themselves. They highlight emerging talent and creativity rather than mainstream appeal, and really bring the community together in a fun, eclectic way.
Beyond ticket sales, grassroots music venues have a huge impact on our economy by drawing business to nearby restaurants, pubs, record shops, and transport. They work directly with other small establishments, too, cultivating a community spirit that brings these businesses to the attention of gig-goers. In essence, they’re a source of night-time economy.
Grassroots venues are characteristically intimate. And with this smaller capacity comes a memorable gig experience in which the audience feels better connected with the musicians on stage, and vice versa.
Most importantly, these spaces are a lifeline for local musicians. Many acts who go on to sell out major venues start here, where they can test material, build confidence, and grow a loyal fanbase.
Behind the scenes, these venues come equipped with the right infrastructure – PAs, lighting, and sound engineers – giving artists the technical support they need to deliver a proper show.
These aren’t just places to watch a gig; these are local institutions built by music lovers for music lovers.
Credit: Humber Street Sesh/Jess Bowden
Here’s why we need them
We’ve explained what they are and briefly touched on why they’re so important to society, but let’s dig further into their importance.
Firstly, and this is the big one, they foster and nurture local music talent. Some small music establishments are so ingrained in local culture purely because of their star-studded history. Take The Cavern Club in Liverpool, for example; it’s heavily associated with The Beatles, because that’s where the band began gaining a dedicated following. They played there 292 times between 1961 and 1963!
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London’s highly esteemed 100 Club on Oxford Street is another one that many artists owe much of their success to, including BB King, The Clash, and The Who – to name just a few. Back up north, Manchester is a city synonymous with a rich, diverse music scene that prioritises local talent, which Hot Milk’s Jim Shaw stressed the importance of.
Never has the time been more apt to reflect on the importance of these small venues than in the age of an Oasis reunion. The Music Venue Trust enlightened us all on the sobering fact that only “11 of the 34 grassroots music venues that Oasis played on their first tour still exist today.” Places like Manchester’s Night & Day Café and The Deaf Institute are crucial to a band’s development and are much-loved by the local community.
Secondly, we need grassroots music venues to keep our economy afloat. Independent businesses bring culture and vibrancy to communities, and The Polar Bear in Hull is a prime example of how collective appreciation for a venue can literally save it.
In 2020, trapped in the debilitating grip of the pandemic, VMS Live announced they had gone into administration, closing the doors of The Polar Bear. But a Crowdfunder pledge to the tune of £15,000 brought it back to life, with owners simply asking people to donate what they’d pay for a pint. It worked, and Hull residents and music-lovers came out in full force to keep the venue open.
The Polar Bear’s story shows that not only are grassroots music venues needed as a place to support local talent, but also as a central space to bring communities together.
Creative Commons License by Bernard Sharp
7 reasons to love and support grassroots music venues
- They’re great ways to discover new music
- By buying a ticket and visiting a local venue, you’ll be supporting local musicians
- The intimate atmosphere is great
- They’re great places to connect with friends and make new ones
- Attending a gig here is way more affordable than going to arena shows
- You’ll have a memorable gig experience
- As a musician, grassroots venues allow you to really connect with the crowd
FAQs
Why are grassroots music venues closing?
Grassroots music venues are closing because of increasing energy, rent, and operating costs. On top of that, the pandemic massively affected these venues as they shut their doors for months.
What is the grassroots movement in music?
Grassroots culture in music is a great way for up-and-coming musicians to perform new music, test ideas, and get a feel for playing to an audience. It’s invaluable to a band’s growth, helping them build confidence before moving to larger stages.
How many grassroots music venues are there in London?
The Music Venue Trust 2024 report states that there are 179 active grassroots music venues in London.
Final thoughts
If you needed any excuse to get down to your local music venue, this is it! Grassroots music venues are the hub of many cities and towns, and they play an invaluable role in musicians’ careers and the growth of the economy. Without them, we’d lose the cultural, vibrant landscape of local music scenes.
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