CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Just £9.99 for the next 8 weeks
SUBSCRIBE

Venue Watch: Fighting for the UK’s grassroots music venues

...The Policy Breakdown Unfreeze Local Housing Allowance Rates Local Housing Allowance (LHA) Rates set the level of Housing Benefit payments and the Housing Element of Universal Credit. They are designed...

The Big Issue’s Venue Watch campaign supports and champions grassroots music venues across the UK. 

Venue watch logo

Every night in towns and cities all over the country, thousands of fans cluster round hundreds of stages to experience the thrill of live music. These venues offer employment to tens of thousands of people. Incubators of talent, they play a vital role in securing the future of music and UK culture. They’re essential to ensure access to music is for the many and not the few.

Grassroots music venues are at the heart of their communities. They boost local businesses by attracting locals, visitors and tourists, contributing to a vibrant night-time economy. 

But they are under threat. At least two grassroots music venues are closing every week. 

The Big Issue believes in equality and opportunity in the arts, so we are fighting to save these crucial cultural institutions.

Support music. Support your local venue. Join Venue Watch.

venue watch logo

Read more

View all
From Oasis to… who? Why we need help nurturing our next generation of northern music stars 
Music

From Oasis to… who? Why we need help nurturing our next generation of northern music stars 

‘The Jazz Bar is too important to fail’ says the couple who saved an Edinburgh institution
Venue Watch

‘The Jazz Bar is too important to fail’ says the couple who saved an Edinburgh institution

Letters: Sunak and his cronies who think benefits are unsustainable should stop lining their pockets
Rishi Sunak
Letters

Letters: Sunak and his cronies who think benefits are unsustainable should stop lining their pockets

Grassroots music venues need your help to survive now more than ever. Here’s why
The Nefarious Picaroons play at Fiery Bird in Woking
Venue Watch

Grassroots music venues need your help to survive now more than ever. Here’s why