Music fans disappointed by Glastonbury's fallow year are being urged to head out to live music this weekend as more than 400 venues unite for Everywhere At Once, billed as the UK's biggest ever music festival. The event features big names including Fatboy Slim, Glenn Tilbrook, Inspiral Carpets and Becky Hill.
Smaller Festivals Face Struggle
The call comes as reports from the Association of Independent Festivals highlight the difficulties facing smaller UK weekenders. Before the pandemic, nearly 1,000 annual music festivals took place in the UK, but last year fewer than 600 occurred. Increased prices for supplies, touring equipment and staff have made some previously successful events unsustainable, while Donald Trump's conflict with Iran has pushed festival infrastructure and transport costs up by 12.5%.
The Express's Strike A Chord crusade has championed grassroots venues, partnering with the Music Venue Trust to call for a £1 grassroots levy on all UK arena and stadium shows.
Fatboy Slim: 'Grassroots Venues Are Vital'
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. Without grassroots venues, independent promoters and local crowds taking a chance on something new, none of this exists."
He added: "These spaces are vital for culture and for local communities, so if there's anything I can do to help shine a light on them and help keep that spirit alive, I'm more than happy to be involved. And if you care about music, go out and support your local venues, buy a ticket, discover somebody new, and be part of keeping those scenes alive."
Over 2,000 Artists Across the Weekend
More than 2,000 artists will perform across the weekend, representing the full spectrum of the UK's music scene, from dance and electronic to indie, rock, grime, pop, jazz, folk, punk and soul. Supported by the National Lottery, established artists will play intimate grassroots venue shows alongside emerging local talent and breakthrough new acts.
Glenn Tilbrook: 'Cherish Your Local Venue'
Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook will perform at Theatreship in East London's Canary Wharf. He said: "50 years ago, Squeeze started out in the small venues of South East London. Later this year we will be playing our biggest UK tour, including at the O2 Arena across the Thames from the Theatreship. I still go out and play solo shows at grassroots venues, and some of the best nights I've ever had playing music have been in tiny rooms packed with people who just love live music."
"These venues don't just support musicians; they become part of the fabric of local communities. They give people a place to meet, connect and discover something new. We need to cherish them; if we lose them, we lose far more than somewhere to see a band. So show your support for your local venue, you never know where the next great artist, or the next great night, might come from."
Full details of all gigs, with daily updates, are available at www.everywherefest.com. Follow on socials at @musicvenuetrust / #everywhereatonce.
