Music Venue Trust

Oct 25, 2023

By LDN Guest Post 5 minute read New research finds nearly half of people (43 per cent) will sack off seeing their friends at the pub, and one in ten people will even decline a friend’s wedding invitation in favour of attending a live gig Despite Brits’ love of live music, 16 per cent of grassroots music venues have closed in the last 12 months, according to Music Venue Trust FREENOW launches the ‘Ride for Music’ fundraising initiative with Music Venue Trust to raise a minimum of £200,000 for struggling venues and to revitalise the nighttime economy across the UK Ed Sheeran, who started his career playing in grassroots music venues, is supporting the Ride for Music initiative Live gigs are the top occasions adults choose to spend their money on (63 per cent), according to research commissioned by mobility super app FREENOW. The research coincides with the launch of FREENOW’s ‘Ride for Music’ initiative, pledging £1 for each taxi ride to Music Venue Trust – a leading charity which acts to protect, secure and improve UK grassroots music venues across the country – with a minimum commitment of £200,000 to save struggling venues impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. Music Venue Trust’s latest report revealed 16 per cent – 125 venues – of grassroots music venues have closed their doors in the last year across the UK. In support of the campaign Ed Sheeran said: “Like so many musicians, I started out playing in grassroots music venues.” “They are such a vital part of the music ecosystem. Without them, I definitely would not have had the chance to hone my craft and become the artist I am today.” “I applaud the Ride for Music campaign and hope it raises loads of money for Music Venue Trust, who work tirelessly to both protect and promote these wonderful spaces.” The research found that nearly half of people (43 per cent) will sack off seeing their friends at the pub and one in ten people will even decline a friend’s wedding invitation in favour of attending a live gig. Additionally, two-thirds of respondents prefer a feeling of intimacy in the shows they attend and would rather watch acts in smaller venues. This is compared to 24 per cent who would pick to see a well-known performer in a large venue. 68 per cent of those surveyed said the cost of living had negatively impacted the number of gigs they had attended in 2023. Despite this, nearly half of respondents (48 per cent) were not aware that grassroots music venues were closing. With 80 per cent of respondents agreeing that the music scene is very important to city life and 84 per cent saying they enjoy discovering new music through live events, it’s imperative that grassroots venues are celebrated and supported. Michelle de Maat, Head of Marketing at FREENOW UK said: “Music has such a positive impact on people’s lives and on their mental wellbeing, so supporting live music and preserving venues is key to making city life more vibrant for all.” “By contributing to the resilience of these vital spaces during such challenging times, we aim to ensure that the stages remain lit, and artists have a place to showcase their talent. Ultimately, this supports our users, drivers and all those who rely on these exceptional venues and a thriving nightlife throughout the country.” Mark Davyd, Founder and CEO of Music Venue Trust, who is calling on music lovers to support the initiative, added: “The Ride for Music initiative gives every music fan in the UK an opportunity to play a role in directly supporting grassroots music venues. It’s exactly the type of joined-up, creative thinking that we need to tackle the crisis facing our grassroots sector.” “People can make a genuine difference by helping to prevent venue closures, and support artists, crew and staff. FREENOW have made it simple for you to be part of the solution, and help the whole music and nighttime economy.” London’s Night Czar, Amy Lamé said: “London’s grassroots music venues have a special place in my heart. There’s nothing I enjoy more than going to a gig and discovering exciting new acts bursting onto the scene. These venues are essential to London’s place as a leader in the music industry and where global acts like Adele and Stormzy started their journeys. But, like many venues, they’re facing some incredibly tough challenges. That’s why I’m thrilled FREENOW is working with Music Venue Trust to raise money that will support these vital spaces in our music industry.” Steve Lamacq, radio presenter and Music Venue Trust Patron added “This sort of investment from FREENOW is a terrific boost to the Grassroots economy. Schemes like Ride For Music are invaluable in helping to protect and promote our wonderful network of live venues in the UK.” This is the second year FREENOW has joined efforts with Music Venue Trust. In 2022, the Company underwrote the costs of 120 shows by independent artists in 60 venues across the UK, supporting venues and artists while offering unique experiences to its users. The continued partnership comes as part of FREENOW’s wider commitment to supporting the music business with existing 2023 partnerships including The Mercury Prize and Brockwell Live. The research, conducted via OnePoll, also found the typical concert buff has been to nearly four gigs this year, with three more planned for the remainder of 2023.