Latest news with #IndependentVenueWeek
The Guardian
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Guide #176: Seas of smartphones and bulky backpacks: the worst things about going to gigs
This year has the potential to be an incredible one for live music. There is of course, the return of the greatest wibbling rivalry in pop. But even discounting for the Super Monobrow Bros, the next 12 months will be bursting with performance, from sugary-sweet pop to the most brutal black metal, played everywhere from gigantic stadiums, to the tiniest of toilet venues. Hearteningly, it seems that live music attendances have recovered after cratering during Covid – though of course smaller gig venues remain in peril (if you can visit one this weekend, please do – it's Independent Venue Week). Yet while our capacity for gig-enjoying has never been higher, it does have its limits. In last week's newsletter we asked you to share your biggest gig gripes and the response was massive: the Guide inbox was bursting with annoyances, ranging from the significant (accessibility at venues) to the minor but still irritating (that bloke in the moshpit with the backpack pressing into your chest). Your responses were so great that we thought we'd run a bumper collection of them. We've also asked some of the Guardian's music critics – who have to attend a LOT of gigs, and as such have had a LOT of pints spilled on them over the years – to share their gripes too … After almost two years out of action thanks to Covid, the UK's surviving venues were desperate to welcome punters, primed to buy beer and merch, back through their doors. Seemingly intent on clawing back losses wherever possible, the percentage they took on that merch caused many artists – also trying to recoup their own pandemic-induced losses – to revolt and set up their own popup shops near venues. But in many London spots, at least, one staple revenue stream seemed to shut down for good: the venue-operated cloakroom. I've been to many gigs at branded venues that no longer operate a secure place to stash your coat, but instead seem to operate in tandem with a neighbouring kebab shop, offering the dubious privilege of paying a tenner to leave your bag behind the fryers. The system reeks – literally. Laura Snapes I can't stand concert attenders who have learned every step of choreography for a show and then decide to put on their own mini-performance in the crowd. I don't mean when everyone does the Charli xcx Apple TikTok dance, but the obnoxious zealot with main character syndrome who clears a space (sometimes pushing away other concertgoers) and has all their friends filming them mimic the routine for ages. I saw a lot of it at Renaissance World Tour in 2023 - we're here to see Beyoncé's dance break, not yours! Jason Okundaye As a music reviewer living in a rural area, I have to drive to gigs, so the rocketing cost and difficulty of parking near venues gets my goat. Gone are the days of secret back street spots or free parking after 6pm. The priciest and rubbishest parking experiences are arenas, but with deadlines to meet I won't fork out £25 to get stuck in Manchester Co-op Live's official car park after the gig. My latest solution there is a secret spot 40 minutes walk away down a dark, deserted, scary canal towpath, so if I don't get mugged by the car park operators I risk actually getting mugged. Bah! Dave Simpson It has to be 1,000 phones in the air via outstretched arms so that's all you end up being able to see. Completely ruins gigs. And for what? Do these people really watch the footage back enough times to make it worth not being fully present in the moment? With the high cost of gigs today you'd be better off watching it in the comfort of your living room than through your phone screen … though of course you wouldn't then get the insta kudos of being able to tag to say you were there. Kerry, Belfast The over-excited super fan who stands next to you whoops and hollers and in the most recent case repeats 'Bob fu@&king Mould' over and over again into my ear drum. Even Bob's heroic guitars did not drown him out. Jim Mowat People: gigs get HOT. Please hydrate before – or bring an empty vessel you can fill up once you're in the venue. A gig I went to in July [Lizzy McAlpine in Manchester] was brought to a standstill – and at a moment of high emotion for the singer – by the sudden need to pass out gallons of water to people who hadn't thought to procure their own, and were flagging. It's disrespectful to the artist, not to mention immensely annoying for the rest of the crowd. Rachael Beale Those in the crowd who feel they have to wear their backpack through the entire show. Absolutely no need. Jason L Sign up to The Guide Get our weekly pop culture email, free in your inbox every Friday after newsletter promotion The squeezer-ins: I get that people arrive at different times, and the audience at a standing gig is a living, moving organism. I get that people are going to try to get to the front, and I get that often people-sized gaps are left, and that's OK – an audience is fluid before and during the gig. But, if there isn't a person-sized hole there, don't squeeze into it, forcing your physical presence on others who have to move to accommodate your bulk. Be aware of and considerate of those around you. Ian Oxley My biggest gig gripe is the way some people react to being asked 'Can I just get past please mate'. It produces, usually, an irrational and audible response, disturbing the attention of everyone around them. If there's space then let them through, nod, and say 'no worries' as they react with an obligatory 'cheers mate'. Nathanael Easey In the 70s: the dreaded drum solo. You knew it was coming. The band slowly disappeared to get 'refreshed' while the drummer banged away for what seemed like two days. Often with a highlight of playing the boards with a spoon. Aarrrghhh! Squideatingdough People putting other people on their shoulders in front of others and thereby blocking the view of those not just directly, but some distance behind them. It should not be allowed. Janelle Potter Not a fun one – inaccessible venues! As a wheelchair user, the amount of extra admin required to see live music is mind-boggling. Bigger names play bigger and (hopefully) more accessibility-aware places, but going to smaller venues to see more obscure bands is a massive headache. Most places do try to make it happen, it just takes a lot of sorting out. But often, it feels like some venues have an accessibility statement which might as well be a picture of a shrugging bouncer standing at the top of a flight of stairs. They should do better, and it shouldn't be the responsibility of the disabled music-lover to make it so. Steve Woodward The dreaded words 'and now a few songs from our new album'. Just play the classics please, that's why we are all here. Lee Jackson If you want to read the complete version of this newsletter please subscribe to receive The Guide in your inbox every Friday
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Live in Nantwich organisers praise community's 'gig-going spirit'
'When it comes together and you see people applauding - there's no better feeling,' said Tim Dougill, organiser of Live in week of music, which is part of Independent Venue Week, will support two Nantwich venues, The Granary and The Studio, at a time when the live music industry has struggled.'I don't get paid. It's all voluntary. But I just love it,' smiled Mr Dougill, of Moth has teamed up with Dani Cook of Applestruck Records to organise the festival, who said: 'We're a community that's got a real gig-going spirit." 'Everybody likes to come out for an event.'Ms Cook's claim is backed by the number of tickets sold for this week's performances, with many artists playing to sold out crowds.'No-one starts off playing arenas, right?' Ms Cook said.'So we need to get some bands here and new and up-and-coming bands that can help to support our music ecosystem.'The festival even has an international appeal, with a group of friends flying from Barcelona to hear their favourite artist, Fyfe Dangerfield. Ouch! is one of the local bands to benefit, playing their second ever gig as part of the guitarist and vocalist Jurijs Kaminovs said the band were "dying" to perform.'Pubs, they're not really receptive to more original stuff,' he suggested, 'you want dedicated music venues for that.'Mr Dougill promised 50% of ticket sales will be reinvested into The Granary to support more music events in the future.
BBC News
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Independent Venue Week celebrates Indie music and venues
A festival taking place across multiple cities and towns will celebrate independent and art centres based around the West Country will be taking part in Independent Venue Week, which is running between 27 January to 2 UK-wide event, which began in 2013, will see live performances in Bristol, Bath, Corsham, and Schillace, who runs Bristol's The Louisiana, said: "Grass roots venues are the foundation of the music industry in the UK. Without them, there wouldn't be a music industry." Mr Schillace added that independent venues "need all the support they can get"."We've always tried to encourage artists - booking original acts, and supporting talent."We've seen the likes of Coldplay, Amy Winehouse and Dua Lipa performing here," he said. Events will also take place at the Pound Arts Centre in Corsham, Wiltshire, where Russ Tunney is director."Initiatives which really celebrate locations in the heart of the community are so important, they throw a real spotlight onto these venues, which is quite rare," he added."Often it's artists at the beginning of their career that depends on venues like this and that's really important to us. Without the energy and entrepreneurialism of these venues there wouldn't be a music industry." Bass player Joe Barton, who also works at Cheltenham's The Frog and Fiddle, is performing at the festival with his band said: "Grassroots venues are the research and development of the music industry. Without weeks like this celebrating independent bands and venues, there wouldn't a pipeline for the next Oasis, Idles or Bob Dylan." The eight venues taking part locally are:Lakota on Upper York Street in BristolThe Canteen in Stokes Croft, BristolThe Love Inn, Stokes Croft, BristolThe Louisiana on Wapping Road in BristolKomedia in BathThe David Hall, South PethertonThe Frog and Fiddle in CheltenhamThe Pound Arts Centre, Pound Pill, Corsham
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Music venue 'beacon of culture and hope'
A popular gig spot in Surrey is one of more than 200 spaces across the country shining a spotlight on the "crucial" role of small venues. The Boileroom, in Guildford, has hosted huge names such as Ed Sheeran, Foals, Bastille, The 1975 and Kate Nash. But Harry Rapinett, one of the venue's management team of three, said it was more than just a venue. "It provides such culture for the area and Guildford would not be the same without it," he said. "It is a beacon of culture and hope." The Boileroom is a 275-capacity grassroots venue which was founded by Dominique Fraser in 2006. It describes itself as a "launchpad for talent and a space for creative communities to thrive". It has earned multiple awards, including Live Awards Grassroots Champion in 2023 and multiple 'best entertainment venue' accolades. Mr Rapinett said: "The Boileroom is so forward thinking and provides so many opportunities for artists. "It is such a significant place for so many people." Independent Venues Week (IVW) runs from 27 January to 2 February. Launched in 2013, it partners with BBC 6 Music and Arts Council England. Its aim is encourage artists, audiences and the wider music business to recognise the vital role these venues play in the industry, through a series of special live events. An IVW spokesperson said independent venues were the "backbone of the live music scene". "These spaces are the training grounds for emerging talent and the lifeblood of their local music scenes," they said. "Artists such as Adele, Sam Fender, and Idles all cut their teeth in independent venues before becoming global superstars." This year's IVW also includes collaborations with BBC Introducing, record labels, and organisations working to ensure live music is accessible to all. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Independent Venue Week The Boileroom
BBC News
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Young gig promoters urge support for Ipswich's independent venues
Young people taking part in a project to learn how to put on music events said support for independent venues was Up, a programme run by Brighten the Corners in Ipswich, offers ten free weekly sessions for 16 to 25-year-olds that cover music production, programming, marketing and event participants will host a gig to mark Independent Venue Week (IVW), which runs from 27 January to 2 February and celebrates independent music and arts venues and the people that own, run and work in Wright, 17, one of the current participants, said: "The gig scene in Ipswich is probably one of the best in East Anglia, it's something we should be really proud of." On 16 January in the House of Commons, Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "In Ipswich, an entire ecosystem is being created that equips young people with those skills and that love of music at school, and goes all the way through enabling them to perform at smaller and larger live music venues, and to get the skills that they need to work in the music industry. "We would like to replicate that model around the country."The number of small music venues in the UK declined by 13% in 2023 - accounting for as many as 30,000 fewer shows - according to the Music Venue Trust (MVT), which said the sector had taken a "battering".MVT has been campaigning for £1 to be added to tickets for arena and stadium shows to subsidise the pubs and clubs where many headline acts start May a cross-party report, from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, suggested a cut in VAT to help grass roots venuesMr Wright added: "There are downsides to Ipswich, there are downsides to every town, but what we've achieved here, and Tune Up is a small piece of that puzzle, it's truly impressive." Hux Josecelyne, 18, is another Tune Up participant and said he was surprised at how much work was involved in hosting a music event."We had to look through the budget side of things. Even for a gig at small grass roots venue you still have go through a formal process, contacting agents and finding artists," he event, organised by young people taking part in the Tune Up programme, will feature Sophie the Great, Arthur Black, HeadCheck and Helix at The Baths, Ipswich, on Friday 31 January. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
