Fatboy Slim has declared that grassroots venues are "where music scenes really begin", following confirmation that he will join the line-up of a nationwide festival championing small live music spaces.
Over 2,000 artists spanning diverse musical genres will take to the stage at more than 400 grassroots venues across the country during the Everywhere At Once festival. Numerous performers will return to the venue that launched their careers.
Singer-songwriter Lucy Spraggan will appear at The Sub Rooms in Stroud, Gloucestershire, while Britpop outfit Gene will deliver performances at intimate venues in Southampton, Newport and Lancaster. DJ and producer D Double E will take over The Brickworks in Nottingham, MC P Money will perform at Suki10c in Birmingham, and Manchester outfit Westside Cowboy will play a homecoming gig at the city's Low Four.
Squeeze singer Glenn Tilbrook will perform aboard Theatreship, a non-profit performing arts venue housed within a historic vessel in Canary Wharf's old docks in London. The countrywide festival will unfold during what would traditionally be the Glastonbury Festival weekend, from 26 to 28 June. Information regarding Fatboy Slim's performance, including ticketing arrangements, will be revealed ahead of the festival weekend.
Fatboy Slim said: "I've been lucky enough to play huge stages all over the world, but grassroots venues are where it all started for me and where music scenes really begin, where artists learn their craft, where communities form, and where people come together purely for the love of it." He added: "Without grassroots venues, independent promoters and local crowds taking a chance on something new, none of this exists. These spaces are vital for culture and for local communities."
The three-day festival, supported by the Music Venue Trust and the National Lottery, seeks to assist venues and independent promoters in championing emerging talent. Tickets are available now.
