This is a death by a thousand cutbacks, by countless noise complaints and escalating operating costs that can’t be covered. The Music Venue Trust revealed to NME that one in ten of the UK’s grassroots venues will close in 2023. How can they survive when the groundwater is tainted? When the money that trickles down from the top is just a drop in the ocean of debt these venues accrued during the pandemic.
I spoke to scene stalwart Jack Hooper, incredible musician and venue manager of The Folklore Rooms, to talk about the importance of grassroots venues to Brighton.
Connor: Now the dust has settled after the pandemic, what challenges do you face as a venue manager for The Folklore Rooms?
Jack: The Folklore Rooms found itself in a unique position as we launched the venue during the pandemic… It was a colossal challenge as we didn’t know how the landscape was looking and how/when/if we would be able to fully open so we had to complete the work on the venue and hope that when the time came, we were ready to go… As a small and independent music venue, we can only ever make so much money, in order for us to stay afloat and to bring over 200 shows a year to the city, we need the support of the wider music community in Brighton. Fortunately, we have found the existing and growing scene in Brighton has been very supportive since we’ve opened.
C: What support is available for grassroots venues in response to these challenges?
J: The Music Venue Trust has been brilliant for us (and hundreds of other venues). The additional introduction of the Pipeline Investment Fund earlier this year was also a big boost, as they are able to give funds directly to the GMVs. We’re hopeful that next year we will be able to apply for some additional funding via that route, as they have recently teamed up with other larger corporations to raise funds. Organisations like MVT and MVA in Brighton are fundamental in our existence.
C: Small venues are essential for their intimate and unique atmospheres. How do you think the shift to larger, corporate-owned venues might change the experience for both musicians and their fans?
J: I guess it’s just a very different experience… You lack the personal touch of intimate venues and feel like the performer or audience can be looking at you straight in the eye. That’s the thing I love about intimate venues, the audience and performer being in the same space rather than an imaginary wall between the two. Bigger rooms have their perks, none less than the financial implications but small to medium venues are more magical.
C: Grassroots venues play a crucial role in nurturing emerging talent. How do you think the absence of these venues might impact the next generation of musicians and their development?
J: If you don’t have them how can you have bands? They are fundamental to not just growing acts into larger ones, which is so often mentioned, but also keeping a strong and passionate music scene within that environment. Music venues are safe havens for people, it’s where we go to be with friends, make new ones and share our art. We are seeing on average one music venue closing every single week in the UK – To think of the amount of memories and creative influence that has been lost to that is tragic.
C: Can you recall any specific experiences that you would share to encourage students to spend their time and money in grassroots venues?
J: It’s about friendships mainly… I’ve made friends for life by being involved in music and in particular the live music scene… In spending money in these places you are supporting both your own endeavours and that of the music scene you’re now a part of! It’s essential.
The Folklore Rooms continue to provide a stunning backdrop for the city’s brightest up-and-coming musicians alongside renowned and revered artists like Passenger and Wunderhorse. It is essential that we protect our GMV’s; live music attendance in the UK is at a record high yet the billions earned in revenue seem to be stuck behind a dam the size of the 02 Arena. However, cracks seem to be forming. Ticketing outlet Skiddle has launched a trail-blazing initiative introducing a 50p ticket levy with proceeds going to MVTs Pipeline Investment Fund, a decision that will hopefully influence other ticketing services. The Folklore Rooms serves as proof that all is not lost, unperturbed by the uncertainty of the pandemic. It sits alongside Hope and Ruin and The Rossi Bar at the beating heart of Brighton’s music scene.
