Live grassroots music venues are in crisis - we are losing over two venues a week across the UK.
There are fewer and fewer places for musicians to play, develop their performances, and win over audiences. Long term, the UK could lose great talent, which would impact the UK creative economy.
I spent many years playing venues all across London, from swanky venues to what can only be described as toilets. But it was all about the music and the audience.
As the Crouch End Festival approaches (June 14 to 16) we have seen year on year the loss of venues we can use.
Recently the Princess Alexander closed, home to a fantastic blues club. Over the last few years we’ve lost Moors, Kiss the Sky and the Earl Haig – all important venues. Our biggest loss was Hornsey Town Hall. Even when it reopens (whenever that is) it will have a concert hall but it will no longer be grassroots.
However, we still have the St Mary’s Tower, aka Intimate Space, where we’ll have a two-day music festival on Saturday and Sunday, featuring The KUT on Saturday, June 15 (live bands start from 6pm).
The KUT have just toured Europe and are headlining the O2 Academy on the Friday. They are a successful band, so why are they playing the Crouch End Festival?
One of the strategies of the Music Venues Trust, who represent UK venues, is to encourage bands that have risen way above grassroots venues to go back and play them again. The KUT are a brilliant rock/punk girl band who write great songs, with a big following, so we expect a big turnout - especially as it’s all free.
There is also an awesome psychedelic Pink Floyd-like light show – did you know Pink Floyd did their first light shows at Hornsey College of Art?
The repurposing of Holy Innocents church in Tottenham Lane as a music venue - it is still a church - now provides Crouch End and Hornsey with a 300-400 capacity venue.
For live gigs, it’s been renamed as the HOLY EYE - you have to have a cool name.
Many of us feel strongly about the need to keep music alive, to keep venues open, but the economic truth is that it’s hard to make money, let alone pay performers. Also, younger people are going to live gigs less and less; some blame social media.
While others stand and moan, Crouch Enders are more active and locals have initiated a campaign idea to help live music venues, EXPLORE MUSIC MORE. Recently presented to Haringey Music Services, the idea is simple: the campaign encourages students aged 16 to 19, who are studying a musical instrument to take part in the 6/6 challenge - visit six different venues and experience six different types of music.
Given that there are thousands of students learning instruments across north London this could be a real boost to live music venues in our area. And also to alternative music types like the fringe music scene that is big in north London – clubs include Skronk, Crouch End’s own üF-Beat Fringe Music Club and No Computers.
Nothing beats live music, and sadly it’s going through a rough period, but through innovation, creativity and passion, I believe we will save it.
- Chris Arnold is co-founder and director of the Crouch End Festival (crouchendfestival.org).
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