LONDON (CelebrityAccess) Wolf Alice frontwoman Ellie Rowsell called upon musicians to help save UK’s grassroots venues during a recent conference.
The five-year-old Venues Day, organized by Music Venue Trust, took place at Islington Academy in London with 500 delegates, according to IQ magazine, with Rowsell speaking after a welcome address by politician Tim Clement Jones.
“I could go down to the [now-closed] Purple Turtle in Camden and borrow every piece of their equipment on their open-mic nights,” she said, according to IQ. “When I see these grassroots venues closing down or under threat, I worry that these authentic starts may no longer be possible.
“The music industry can’t afford to be more depersonalised – when your favourite venue turns into a Costa Coffee, it’s a loss of culture, opportunity, community and individualism.”
The Music Venue Trust has reportedly called upon more musicians to attend the conference next year.
“Musicians can be one of the greatest helps of all,” Rowsell added. “Last summer we toured a lot of the venues we first played in. It’s easy to forget that the venues are there cheering you on as well, and might invite you back to play when you’ve sold no tickets the first time around.
“It’s important for musicians to recognise these acts of kindness – more should be giving back.”
.jpg){kind=link}