Latest news with #MusicVenueTrust
Time Out
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Inside the Camden's huge new music-themed immersive attraction
From its dusty vinyl shops to its punks sitting on the bridge sporting bright mohawks, music has always been a huge part of the identity of Camden. Already home to several brilliant live music venues, the north London area has now welcomed a brand-new music-themed attraction at Camden Lock. The venue, which is named Live Odyssey, calls itself an immersive 'celebration of British music past, present and future'. Developed by landowners LabTech in partnership with long-time Camden music promoter Gary Prosser, the venue features live music spaces and a stage for holographic performances of iconic UK bands, with acts like Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths and The Libertines appearing in never-seen-before digital form. Located in the Stables Market, Live Odyssey spans six themed rooms, each representing a different era in British music – from the swinging 60s and Beatlemania to the Britpop boom of the 90s, the rise of grime and Amy Winehouse's Camden years. Visitors can also walk through the exhibit drink in hand, thanks to bars placed throughout the attraction. Beyond the holographic performances, guests get to see rotating displays of heritage items from music legends, including David Bowie's Glastonbury microphone from his 2000 headline set, leads from John Lennon's Imagine recording sessions, and original album art from the likes of Kate Bush and the Rolling Stones. The attraction opened in May, but it hasn't gone down a treat with all of Camden's local community. Before it opened, Camden New Journal reported on concerns that Live Odyssey might impact the local community and its small businesses, noting that around 70 percent of the traders in the block where Live Odyssey opened owed overdue rent. Market traders also described the project as an attempt to turn the market into a 'Britpop theme park'. The venue also brings to surface ongoing concerns about the gentrification of Camden, where rising rents and tourist-focused developments are forcing out independent traders and long-time residents. Last month traders at Camden's street food market voiced anger over Camden Market Management's choice to turn the space into a more upmarket eating area at their expense. Live Odyssey, however, says it is committed to supporting the broader music ecosystem, and a portion of ticket sales will go to the Music Venue Trust to help sustain grassroots venues across London and the UK. Mark Davyd, CEO, Music Venue Trust confirmed this: 'British music has always drawn strength from its roots, and we are grateful that Live Odyssey will be supporting MVT in their mission to protect the spaces where countless artists have honed their craft. Together, we're ensuring that British music, from its historic roots to its future potential, remains accessible and celebrated for years to come.' You can find out about Live Odyssey's events on the official website here.
Leader Live
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
The 1975's Matty Healy warns of ‘cultural erasure' as he backs small venue event
The Seed Sounds Weekender, which will take place September 26-28, will see more than 2,000 gigs take place in more than 1,000 venues in an attempt to unite small venues. Speaking of the event, Healy told the PA news agency: 'The political neglect behind this crisis, steadily hollowing out arts funding and cultural infrastructure is a class war by omission. 'Councils across England have slashed arts budgets by 20% to 30% over the last decade. Without government-led reforms – like a mandatory stadium-and-arena ticket levy, VAT relief, business rates reform, and real investment in venue survival – this ecosystem collapses. 'The UK music industry delivers £5.2 billion to the economy, supports 228,000 jobs, and exports its soft power globally – but its entire pipeline starts in those 150‑capacity rooms above pubs. 'Lose them, and you aren't just losing venues – you are losing the conditions that made all that possible. That is cultural erasure, and it will not come back. 'And that's precisely why movements like the Seed Sounds Weekender are so important, this festival isn't just a celebration, it's about uniting and sustaining this network, ensuring that art isn't just for the privileged, and that Britain's unique, musical heartbeat keeps beating.' Last year, the Music Venue Trust's annual report warned that, in 2023, 22.4% of venues closed as a result of 'operational issues', while 42.1% of its members reported 'financial issues'. Just last month, Sheffield's well-known Leadmill venue saw its last gig in its current form, after losing a long-running eviction battle with its landlord, the Electric Group, with singer Miles Kane performing on June 27. Tickets for most of the gigs which take place as part of the Seed Sounds Weekender will be free, with events taking place across 20 UK towns and cities including London, Liverpool and Manchester. Healy added: 'Local venues aren't just where bands cut their teeth – they're the foundational infrastructure of our culture. Without them, you don't get The Smiths, Idles, Little Simz, or Wet Leg, you get silence. 'Since 2007, we've lost 38% of UK grassroots music venues – over 1,200 of them – and venue closures continue at a frightening pace. In 2023 alone, 125 venues shut down, and right now two venues are closing every month. 'These rooms barely scrape by, average profit margins are just 0.5% – under £3,000 per year – and nearly 44% operate at a loss. The sector effectively subsidises live music by £162 million annually. 'That means communities across the country: working-class towns; inner cities; regional centres; lose their only accessible creative spaces. 'When that happens, the only art that thrives is the art already bankrolled, safe, sanitised, and profitable. Art becomes a luxury for the privileged.' Organised by live music marketplace GigPig, the event will partner with Uber to give attendees discounted rides to and from gig venues, with tickets available from the Seed Sounds Weekender website. It comes after Healy and his band recently headlined the 2025 edition of Glastonbury Festival, having achieved five UK number one albums and 12 UK hit singles. The 1975 are best known for songs such as Chocolate, The Sound and Love Me.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The 1975's Matty Healy warns of 'cultural erasure' as he backs support for small venues
The 1975 star Matty Healy has spoke out on 'a class war by omission' as he backed new event Seed Sounds Weekender that aims to support small music venues in the UK The 1975 frontman Matty Healy has thrown his support behind a small venue event as he warns of "cultural erasure". The singer has backed a new festival which aims to support small music venues as they struggle to survive. The Seed Sounds Weekender will take place on 26 to 28 September will see more than 2,000 gigs take place in more than 1,000 venues in an attempt to unite small venues. In response to the event, Glastonbury headliner Matty said: 'The political neglect behind this crisis, steadily hollowing out arts funding and cultural infrastructure is a class war by omission. 'Councils across England have slashed arts budgets by 20% to 30% over the last decade. Without government-led reforms – like a mandatory stadium-and-arena ticket levy, VAT relief, business rates reform, and real investment in venue survival – this ecosystem collapses." He added to PA News Agency: 'The UK music industry delivers £5.2 billion to the economy, supports 228,000 jobs, and exports its soft power globally – but its entire pipeline starts in those 150‑capacity rooms above pubs. 'Lose them, and you aren't just losing venues – you are losing the conditions that made all that possible. That is cultural erasure, and it will not come back. 'And that's precisely why movements like the Seed Sounds Weekender are so important, this festival isn't just a celebration, it's about uniting and sustaining this network, ensuring that art isn't just for the privileged, and that Britain's unique, musical heartbeat keeps beating.' The Music Venue Trust's annual report warned that, in 2023, 22.4% of venues closed as a result of 'operational issues', while 42.1% of its members reported 'financial issues'. Last month, the music scene was rocked by the closure of the Leadmill in Sheffield, which was a well-known and loved venue in the city. It lost a long-running eviction battle with its landlord, the Electric Group. Seed Sounds Weekender's gigs will be mostly free, with events taking place across 20 towns and cities in the UK. 'Local venues aren't just where bands cut their teeth – they're the foundational infrastructure of our culture," Matty urged. "Without them, you don't get The Smiths, Idles, Little Simz, or Wet Leg, you get silence. Since 2007, we've lost 38% of UK grassroots music venues – over 1,200 of them – and venue closures continue at a frightening pace. In 2023 alone, 125 venues shut down, and right now two venues are closing every month. 'These rooms barely scrape by, average profit margins are just 0.5% – under £3,000 per year – and nearly 44% operate at a loss. The sector effectively subsidises live music by £162 million annually. 'That means communities across the country: working-class towns; inner cities; regional centres; lose their only accessible creative spaces. When that happens, the only art that thrives is the art already bankrolled, safe, sanitised, and profitable. Art becomes a luxury for the privileged.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
The 1975's Matty Healy warns of ‘cultural erasure' as he backs small venue event
The Seed Sounds Weekender, which will take place September 26-28, will see more than 2,000 gigs take place in more than 1,000 venues in an attempt to unite small venues. Speaking of the event, Healy told the PA news agency: 'The political neglect behind this crisis, steadily hollowing out arts funding and cultural infrastructure is a class war by omission. 'Councils across England have slashed arts budgets by 20% to 30% over the last decade. Without government-led reforms – like a mandatory stadium-and-arena ticket levy, VAT relief, business rates reform, and real investment in venue survival – this ecosystem collapses. 'The UK music industry delivers £5.2 billion to the economy, supports 228,000 jobs, and exports its soft power globally – but its entire pipeline starts in those 150‑capacity rooms above pubs. 'Lose them, and you aren't just losing venues – you are losing the conditions that made all that possible. That is cultural erasure, and it will not come back. 'And that's precisely why movements like the Seed Sounds Weekender are so important, this festival isn't just a celebration, it's about uniting and sustaining this network, ensuring that art isn't just for the privileged, and that Britain's unique, musical heartbeat keeps beating.' Last year, the Music Venue Trust's annual report warned that, in 2023, 22.4% of venues closed as a result of 'operational issues', while 42.1% of its members reported 'financial issues'. Just last month, Sheffield's well-known Leadmill venue saw its last gig in its current form, after losing a long-running eviction battle with its landlord, the Electric Group, with singer Miles Kane performing on June 27. Tickets for most of the gigs which take place as part of the Seed Sounds Weekender will be free, with events taking place across 20 UK towns and cities including London, Liverpool and Manchester. Healy added: 'Local venues aren't just where bands cut their teeth – they're the foundational infrastructure of our culture. Without them, you don't get The Smiths, Idles, Little Simz, or Wet Leg, you get silence. 'Since 2007, we've lost 38% of UK grassroots music venues – over 1,200 of them – and venue closures continue at a frightening pace. In 2023 alone, 125 venues shut down, and right now two venues are closing every month. 'These rooms barely scrape by, average profit margins are just 0.5% – under £3,000 per year – and nearly 44% operate at a loss. The sector effectively subsidises live music by £162 million annually. 'That means communities across the country: working-class towns; inner cities; regional centres; lose their only accessible creative spaces. 'When that happens, the only art that thrives is the art already bankrolled, safe, sanitised, and profitable. Art becomes a luxury for the privileged.' Organised by live music marketplace GigPig, the event will partner with Uber to give attendees discounted rides to and from gig venues, with tickets available from the Seed Sounds Weekender website. It comes after Healy and his band recently headlined the 2025 edition of Glastonbury Festival, having achieved five UK number one albums and 12 UK hit singles. The 1975 are best known for songs such as Chocolate, The Sound and Love Me.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
The 1975's Matty Healy warns of ‘cultural erasure' as he backs small venue event
Speaking of the event, Healy told the PA news agency: 'The political neglect behind this crisis, steadily hollowing out arts funding and cultural infrastructure is a class war by omission. 'Councils across England have slashed arts budgets by 20% to 30% over the last decade. Without government-led reforms – like a mandatory stadium-and-arena ticket levy, VAT relief, business rates reform, and real investment in venue survival – this ecosystem collapses. Matty Healy on stage at the Glastonbury Festival (Yui Mok/PA) 'The UK music industry delivers £5.2 billion to the economy, supports 228,000 jobs, and exports its soft power globally – but its entire pipeline starts in those 150‑capacity rooms above pubs. 'Lose them, and you aren't just losing venues – you are losing the conditions that made all that possible. That is cultural erasure, and it will not come back. 'And that's precisely why movements like the Seed Sounds Weekender are so important, this festival isn't just a celebration, it's about uniting and sustaining this network, ensuring that art isn't just for the privileged, and that Britain's unique, musical heartbeat keeps beating.' Last year, the Music Venue Trust's annual report warned that, in 2023, 22.4% of venues closed as a result of 'operational issues', while 42.1% of its members reported 'financial issues'. Just last month, Sheffield's well-known Leadmill venue saw its last gig in its current form, after losing a long-running eviction battle with its landlord, the Electric Group, with singer Miles Kane performing on June 27. Tickets for most of the gigs which take place as part of the Seed Sounds Weekender will be free, with events taking place across 20 UK towns and cities including London, Liverpool and Manchester. Healy added: 'Local venues aren't just where bands cut their teeth – they're the foundational infrastructure of our culture. Without them, you don't get The Smiths, Idles, Little Simz, or Wet Leg, you get silence. 'Since 2007, we've lost 38% of UK grassroots music venues – over 1,200 of them – and venue closures continue at a frightening pace. In 2023 alone, 125 venues shut down, and right now two venues are closing every month. 'These rooms barely scrape by, average profit margins are just 0.5% – under £3,000 per year – and nearly 44% operate at a loss. The sector effectively subsidises live music by £162 million annually. 'That means communities across the country: working-class towns; inner cities; regional centres; lose their only accessible creative spaces. 'When that happens, the only art that thrives is the art already bankrolled, safe, sanitised, and profitable. Art becomes a luxury for the privileged.' Organised by live music marketplace GigPig, the event will partner with Uber to give attendees discounted rides to and from gig venues, with tickets available from the Seed Sounds Weekender website. It comes after Healy and his band recently headlined the 2025 edition of Glastonbury Festival, having achieved five UK number one albums and 12 UK hit singles. The 1975 are best known for songs such as Chocolate, The Sound and Love Me.
