Live music in crisis as Yorkshire venues at risk of total lights out

As the impact of the first lockdown sent shock waves through the live performance sector, the message from the Music Venue Trust (MVT) was bleak.

Hundreds of grassroots venues were at risk of closure, it warned in April, and without them, the live music scene in the UK “will die”.

Fast-forward eight months and the trust, which represents music venues across the UK, has announced a new phase of its #saveourvenues campaign as sites continue to feel the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative has seen millions of pounds of donations given by music fans in support of struggling venues, some of which have also received Government assistance.

But a number of venues remain in crisis and its latest focus is now on protecting those from imminent closure. It has identified a total of 30 sites on which to centre its efforts. Each were ineligible to receive funding from, or wholly or partially unsuccessful in their application to, the Government backed Cultural Recovery Fund.

These include six venues in Yorkshire that are struggling to survive: the Beehive Jazz Cafe in Hull; Boom, Leeds; The Lantern, Halifax; Woolpack Live, Doncaster; and Sheffield venues Plot 22 and Dryad Works.

“These [30] grassroots venues play a crucial role in the development of British music, nurturing local talent, providing a platform for artists to build their careers and develop their music and their performance skills,” the trust says. “These venues also play a vital role in the cultural and economic vibrancy of any village, town or city.”

The MVT has come up with a ‘traffic light’ system, highlighting venues considered safe until March 31 – just over 350 fall into this ‘green’ category – as well as those at risk of closure between now and then without additional support – 273 amber venues. The 30 most at risk, in imminent danger of permanent closure, fall into the red category.

Boom manager Ian Leck says the venue is now on the brink and will not survive the global pandemic without support. “A grassroots music venue unique to Leeds that primarily promotes punk, hardcore and metal, Boom also provides the Leeds music scene with permanent rehearsal rooms for bands and recording facilities,” Mr Leck says.

A new crowdfunding initiative has been launched to secure the future of the 30 venues. By visiting a single landing page, people can choose an individual venue to support. If an individual target is reached by a particular venue, the surplus donations will go towards supporting other venues in crisis.

A new range of merchandise is also available to support the campaign. Every item bought directly helps a venue, with MVT paying the costs of printing, packing and delivery.

The trust is also urging people to write to their local MP, council, and local charities or organisations that could help to demand action to prevent the venues being closed for good.

“What the #saveourvenues campaign has achieved during the last eight months is truly remarkable,” says Mark Davyd, CEO of MVT. “Thanks to the efforts of music fans, local communities and the wider music sector we have raised over £3m in donations and have unlocked over £80m in government assistance to help stave off the imminent closure of over 400 grassroots music venues.

“We are now focusing exclusively on those 30 remaining venues which face immediate permanent closure. If people want these local venues to still be there when this is over there is a very clear call to action: choose a venue, get donating, get writing, get calling, get organised. Save them all.”

For more information and to donate, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-venues-red-list

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