There is a good/interesting article in the Guardian today that is worth a read. Interesting from the point that it tells us who keep abreast of the UK music scene things we already know but rightly highlights the plight of live music venues.
“In 2023, 125 grassroots gig venues closed. Last year, 43.8% reported an operating loss. Just 11 of the 34 venues that Oasis played on their first tour exist today.”
It doesn’t try to suggest why or suggest a solution, if it could the writer would be hailed for it. I have my own views which I’ll get to.
The title is “Oasis and Black Sabbath are filling stadiums. But where’s the next wave of working -class rock stars? By Dan Cave
He alludes to part of the reason with information about where they new bands will play and be discovered and adds the quote:
“Noel Gallagher has questioned where the next working-class rock stars will come from. They can’t afford guitars”
Yes Oasis are at the start of a sold out tour that could sell out again in seconds but that’s Nostalgia and a different generation with spending power clicking online in the millions to try to secure a place in the history of Oasis.
But let’s not forget the same happens for Glastonbury every year. Fontaines DC at Finsbury Park this weekend just gone played to 45000 people and I had a friend phoning me the next day buzzing over the Kneecap set as well. I’m seeing Yungblud this weekend at an outstore via the Vinilo Record store at The Engine Rooms in Southampton, a second show put on that same day as demand was so desperate. The demand is there? Is it not being sold right or handled in a way that works?
I read about the doom and gloom of nightclubs as well but certainly here in Southampton the clubs albeit there are not the number there used to be are packed on student nights and weekends. I don’t know there financials but from an outside view they are alive and kicking. The live music venues of which there are a good number have some fantastic acts coming through from young bands to heavyweight artists old and new and they are selling out. Only a couple of weeks ago Johnny Marr played the 1865 and it sold out in seconds.
A night like that is a night out, a trip to Finsbury Park, The Principality in Cardiff, Wembley or The London Stadium you plan your day around if not two days. But local venues may just need to get smart? are they a destination venue or part of the evening? With clubs open until 4am and revellers not going out or meeting until 9 or 10pm with pre drinks at someone’s house there is room to catch a band as part of a night. Doors at 6pm first band at 7pm or 8pm main act not until 9pm curfew at 10.30pm does fit so sell that? maybe?
It’s easily said but not being a final destination but a starting point on certain nights would get people through the doors and who knows they may come back for other nights? This idea may have no legs but you never know? Worth a try?
There are a lot of young bands out there which the modern way of consuming music does not help. We all understand the difference between streaming services and how it was with record sales via shops in days of old so live music is key to the survival and gig goers actually showing up even more so.
Bands are still making it, it would help if coverage of sets at events like Glastonbury were not limited to just the main stages by the #BBC, a red button with a smaller stage link would help as well.
The bands are there and as the article above shows the money is there and the support is there. It needs to be more than just showing up for a band like Oasis, get down to your local small venue, they don’t bite and experience live music more.
(Image at the top is Ai created by me on Image FX)
