Last chance to save 'beloved' music bar as crowdfunding target raised
NE Volume Music Bar in Stockton, which has become a key part of Teesside's live music scene since opening in 2020, has less than two weeks left in its crowdfunding campaign to secure its future.
Co-owners Lee and Adam Allcock launched the fundraiser to raise an initial £5,000, a goal that has already been met thanks to the support from the local community.
Co-owners Lee and Adam Allcock (Image: NE VOLUME MUSIC BAR) The target has now been stretched to £8,000, with the hope that the extra money raised could help further enhance the venue's facilities.
In a post on Facebook, the owners said: "Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters so far, we're closer than ever to keeping NE Volume alive. But we still need your help to reach our goal.
"Whether it's £10 for a thank you on our website or a bigger contribution for VIP rewards like free gigs and exclusive events, every donation counts.
"This is more than just a campaign, it's about preserving the vibrant music scene that makes our community unique."
Full venue (Image: SOUND AND VISION PHOTOGRAPHY) They continued: "If you've ever attended a gig, discovered a new band, or made memories at NE Volume, now is the time to give back and ensure future generations have the same chance to experience live music!
"Don't let this chapter close. Let's keep the music alive. Please donate today and help us make this dream a reality.
"Together, we can keep the spirit of NE Volume thriving for years to come!"
Outside wall mural (Image: NE VOLUME MUSIC BAR) The bar, like many grassroots venues across the UK, has been hit hard by mounting operating costs, with bar sales alone no longer enough to cover essential outgoings.
Lee warned that without additional support, NE Volume could join the 160 UK music venues that have closed in the last two years.
READ MORE:
NE Volume music bar Stockton struggling with rising costs
Stockton indie festival, Gathering Sounds, to return in 2025
Man arrested after coming down off roof following five- hour police stand off
Funds raised will be used to stabilise the venue's finances and carry out urgent upgrades to equipment and infrastructure.
Supporters can choose from a range of rewards in return for donations- from a simple thank-you on the venue's website to VIP perks such as free gigs and access to exclusive events.
The campaign runs for less than 14 days. Donations can be made via the official Crowdfunder page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/.../keep-ne-volume-music
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
34 minutes ago
- Forbes
Keith Lee Is Redefining What Influence Looks Like
When it comes to impact, it's safe to say that it's something that the internet sensation known as Keith Lee has mastered. Whether it's using his massive platform to review and highlight the offerings of hidden restaurant gems across the world or starting viral dance trends, the food critic's imprint on pop culture is undeniable. Lee's ability to curate a digital presence marked by authentic food reviews, coupled with his willingness to shine a light on the stories of restaurateurs who often don't receive their due recognition, has positioned him as someone whose influence is more than worth its weight in gold. That same charm and reach are evidenced by his most recent campaign with the #1 dermatologist-recommended skincare brand, CeraVe, for their "Goat'd by the People" campaign, which debuted their latest mascot, Sarah V, who appeared at Lee's Family Style Food Festival in New York City earlier this Detroit native's willingness to collaborate with the popular skincare brand was directly tied to his wife's affinity for the brand as well as its alignment with his own values.'My wife has always been a huge fan of CeraVe, and since I've met her, her skincare has taken a huge journey because she's always dealt with very persistent acne. As a husband, I've always listened to her when it comes to skincare and skincare routines. CeraVe has always been a part of her skincare routine, which, in turn, is a part of mine. We not only collaborated, but we also sat down and talked about how it would look. They also incorporated my family values and some of my dry humor. The Family South Food Festival was our first-ever food festival, which featured 20,000 to 30,000 people, and we were still able to lock in and collaborate. I loved it.'That spirit of collaboration that Lee embodies isn't exclusive to his recent partnership with CeraVe, but it's something that has become an integral aspect of the very fabric of his life. According to the father of three, his embrace of teamwork is something he leaned into during his decade-long career as a professional fighter.'I was a professional fighter for 10 years, and it's embedded at this point. Not only from a sports aspect, because fighting is one of those things where it's an individual sport, but you need a team behind you to do it successfully at the highest level. I've never wanted to collaborate with people who already have established platforms or those who are already successful in their respective fields because I view myself as a normal person and like being around normal people. If you ever see me collaborating with someone, it's someone I'm close friends with. I think the reason I do it that way is because after I turn the camera off, I can literally go and talk to most of these restaurant owners and have conversations with them.'Lee has not only managed to penetrate the cultural zeitgeist through his adept storytelling, uplifting those around him, as well as wholesome content featuring his family, but his brand itself has also proved to be a worthy contender for the hearts and minds of people worldwide. Many restaurants have benefited from the Keith Lee Effect, being immediately thrust into the spotlight with expanded visibility and business as a result of Lee's endorsement, which amplifies the establishments. Despite the ensuing success of the restaurateurs, it's not something that Lee takes credit for.'I don't take any of the credit for it because in reality, what I'm doing is eating food. I set my phone on the steering wheel, eat some food, turn the camera off, and go hang out with my kids. Then, when I post it, whatever is going to happen is just going to happen. That's why I always give the glory to God, because I genuinely believe that if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here. Anyone can eat food and share their opinion on it, and my opinion isn't the end-all be-all. What resonates is that I'm genuinely being myself. And I know that's easier said than done, especially in a landscape that we're in when it comes to social media or in life in general. I've never done this with a motive or ulterior motive or goal. I was literally just enjoying what I genuinely have a passion for, which is food. And just traveling the world with my kids and my wife, and being able to eat and explore different flavors with them, has turned into this. When I see those restaurants and those stories, I get imposter syndrome, so I'm always taken aback by it. I believe everything happens as it's supposed to. And if it weren't for the people who are willing to go out into the restaurant and sit in line or go and support any local restaurant, none of this would be possible.'As Lee continues to evolve on his life's journey, he feels his elevation is directly tied to trusting himself and having faith in God. 'Whenever I feel like I shouldn't do something anymore, I don't do it. I think a lot of people get caught up in that because it's easy to look into numbers, or what got you there, or what you think got you there. For me, I feel that if I'm called to do something, no matter what it is, I will do it. I started with cooking for my wife when she was pregnant, and cooking for myself when I was doing training camps. Then I started doing food reviews and posting my kids. It was always an evolution to what we are doing, even if it didn't make sense in the moment. Going directly from cooking inside the house and only trying my own food to trying small restaurants and traveling within a week's span was a blessing. I feel like you don't know what you don't know. And it can be scary, but I think that's where my faith in God comes from.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Colin Kaepernick docuseries produced by Spike Lee no longer moving forward at ESPN amid 'creative differences'
An ESPN docuseries on quarterback Colin Kaepernick that was being produced by acclaimed director Spike Lee and Jemele Hill is no longer moving forward. The six-time Academy Award nominee revealed to Reuters during a red carpet entrance at a fundraising dinner for the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation dinner on Friday that the multi-part documentary will not be released. "I can't. I signed a nondisclosure," he said. "I can't talk about it." Asked why the series — tentatively titled "Da Saga of Colin Kaepernick" — won't be seen, Lee cited a nondisclosure agreement in talking about the development. "I can't. I signed a nondisclosure," he added. "I can't talk about it." ESPN issued a statement to Reuters on Saturday in response to an inquiry about the docuseries' status. "ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences," the statement said. "Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film." Kaepernick played in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers for six seasons from 2011-16. He quarterbacked the 49ers to the 2013 NFC championship game, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks. However, he is most known for protesting the U.S. national anthem before games by taking a knee as a gesture to protest systemic racism in the culture and police brutality. That made him a nationally controversial figure, drawing criticism from many including President Donald Trump, and presumably led to no NFL teams signing him after he became a free agent. He never played in the NFL again after the 2016 season. Last September, Puck's Matthew Belloni reported that creative differences between Kaepernick and Lee stalled the docuseries' development. Kaepernick preferred for the series to focus more on his career and personal experience. Yet Lee wanted the scope of the project to cover wider cultural issues, including the history of Black athletes in professional sports, social justice and police brutality. Though the series was reportedly completed, Kaepernick held ultimate approval over the project and wanted material added to Lee's final cut. The project stalling over creative differences between Kaepernick and Lee was confirmed to The Athletic, though specifics beyond what Belloni originally reported were not provided. Yet as Richard Deitsch and Andrew Marchand point out, ESPN's relationship with the NFL is different now than when the project was initially being developed in 2022. In an agreement worth billions of dollars, ESPN will acquire NFL RedZone and other NFL Media properies with the NFL taking a 10% equity stake in the network. A docuseries that potentially casts the NFL, commissioner Roger Goodell and the league's 32 teams in a bad light likely wouldn't be viewed favorably under those circumstances. Kaepernick filed a collusion grievance against NFL team owners with teammate Eric Reid. That lawsuit was eventually settled in 2019. The Kaepernick docuseries is reportedly finished or close enough to where it could air on another network or streaming platform. According to Belloni's report, Kaepernick and Lee largely worked out their differences. Yet based on the finality of Lee's remarks to Reuters, it appears that the project will not be shopped around to other outlets.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Spike Lee Says Trump Should ‘Think Twice' if He Considers a Federal Takeover of New York: ‘The Boogie-Down? Harlem?'
"This is a scary time," the "Do the Right Thing" director tells the Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC Spike Lee's characters say 'Wake up!' in 'Do the Right Thing,' 'School Daze' and 'Malcolm X' – and now the director has put the signature line in his weekend MSNBC appearance, too. Speaking with 'Politics Nation' host Rev. Al Sharpton on Saturday to promote the Denzel Washington film 'Highest 2 Lowest,' Lee said the Trump administration's federal law-enforcement takeover in Washington, D.C., wouldn't go quite the same if the president tried it in New York City. More from TheWrap 'Severance' Star Tramell Tillman Crashes 'Zoolander' Screening – With a Marching Band Spike Lee Says Trump Should 'Think Twice' if He Considers a Federal Takeover of New York: 'The Boogie-Down? Harlem?' | Video 'Butterfly' Release Schedule: Are More Episodes on the Way? Gal Gadot Says She Left 'Entourage' Set Because Someone Behaved Inappropriately, 'Hated' the Experience 'This country right now is … it's bananas, and this and this guy trying to take over D.C. and just weaponize these things,' Lee said. 'And I mean, he's going to think twice [if he tries] to do that in New York though. The Boogie Down? Harlem?' Sharpton agreed, saying that it would 'be a different kind of reaction.' Chuckling with glee, Lee responded: 'Oh yeah. It's gonna be very different.' Sharpton asked Lee what he thought about Trump mobilizing federal agents and National Guard troops 'in heavily Black and brown cities with Black mayors,' given how Lee has portrayed authoritarian law enforcement throughout his films. 'They're weaponizing these other agencies of the United States government,' Lee said more gravely. 'And this is — this is a scary time. The last word in 'School Daze' … my brother … Lawrence Fishburne saying, 'Wake up!' And the first line in 'Do the Right Thing' you know — Samuel Jackson saying, 'Wake up.' So we need to wake up. We need to wake up. You know, it's some serious times and we gotta be on point and just be in the moment and see this three-card-monte game — watch the black, watch the black, watch the black! … you can't win.' 'Highest 2 Lowest' is in theaters now. Watch the entire exchange in the video above. The post Spike Lee Says Trump Should 'Think Twice' if He Considers a Federal Takeover of New York: 'The Boogie-Down? Harlem?' | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
