It's been a year since we were motivated to write love letters to our independent venues with the aim of supporting them through ongoing closures and a lack of support from the government.
Now, a year on since then and two years since they first had to close in order to discourage the spread of Covid-19, we revisit some of the country's independent venues both big and small to see how they're doing. Here's the picture from the inside:
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Suki10c - Birmingham
David Whittall
The past two years have been difficult to say the least. With the support of MVT (Music Venue Trust) we have managed to survive this far and we look to the future with as much optimism as possible. It takes a special kind of person to run a grassroots music venue: determination and tenacity keep us going.
Junction - Cambridge
Rob Tinkler
While it’s great to be able to go back to doing what we love, putting on gigs for the people of Cambridge and East Anglia, it will be even better when confidence returns fully for both audiences and artists to be able to come out without fear of catching Covid!
Things are nowhere near back to normal and many shows and tours are still being cancelled or postponed. Our sector will need some form of financial support for a while longer and it is important that the government understands that the after-effects of the pandemic will continue throughout 2022 and 2023.
The Underground - Stoke-on-Trent
Lee J Barber
We have had a difficult start to 2022, with all but one event being cancelled for the entirety of January. I had always held the view that our most challenging days would come in the aftermath of the pandemic, but after two years and still yet to see much light at the end of the tunnel, I daren’t get my hopes up about the challenge of getting the venue through this next twelve months.
The Adelphi
Venue 38 - Ayr
Tracy Anne McGregor
Yes it’s a difficult time for us—once again we are closed down and awaiting Government support. We hope to be back open soon, but have heard reports that we could be closed until springtime which isn’t good for us. It's difficult to plan ahead and book acts etc. when we don’t know when we can open again.
We have had great support from the bands which have played in the venue: the continued agreement is that it’s the best venue they have played in for sound, lighting etc. so we are focused on promoting that for this year.
The Adelphi - Hull
Paul John Sarel
The Hull Adelphi is in good hands. The team of staff, volunteers, gig going community and performers are at the very heart of everything we do. They've been loyal through lockdowns, they've sat down when they had to sit down but they've never been down when it was easier to be down! We're tough and adaptable, cynical but hopeful, motivated and smart. The future is unpredictable but we're confident and trust in better days are in our own hands. .
The diary is full of brilliant acts and beer is on tap. This is the story of the 37 years of the Hull Adelphi and many independent venues like it...long live The Adelphi!
Three Wise Monkeys - Colchester
Ben Howard
My concern is that it’s been so difficult to build up momentum since returning from that first lockdown. Gigs happening, gigs being rescheduled or cancelled, audience numbers varying with no shows at events becoming a greater occurrence than ever before. It’s gone from optimism to despair: the pipeline of show bookings has dropped off since December and the reduction in advance tickets sales has had a detrimental impact. The uncertainty has been most challenging.
Hootananny - Inverness
Steve Robinson
It's been a very difficult time the last two years for all grassroots music venues and the recent restrictions in Scotland have not helped with Hootananny Inverness recovery: business is down approx 50% and support has so far not been received from the government in these difficult times.
Bierkeller - Exeter
Brian Phillips
At Bierkeller we are very worried for the whole live music scene, especially for the grassroots scene. Since Covid, people are just not coming out or buying tickets but then not coming, which then loses us the beer sales as the ticket sales only cover putting on the night.
Moles - Bath
Liam Baker
Despite an incredibly difficult time for live music venues across the country, it’s been heartwarmingly evident that people have really missed regular live music and as we are slowly but surely climbing out of the challenges that fell upon us as a result of the pandemic, it’s very positive to see attendance numbers starting to rise again and tours finally happening. Onward and upwards from here!
Le Pub - Newport
Sam Dabb
The future is terrifying! We have no idea what to expect from gig to gig and day to day. The pandemic has just thrown everything up in the air and now we have to see where it all lands and put it all back together. That’s the thing grassroots music venues do best though so we’ll be just fine I guess!
