Grassroots Music Venues Under Threat: Frank Turner Advocates for Preservation

Frank Turner found belonging as a teenager in grassroots music venues. Now one of Britain's most prolific live musicians, he's using his platform to champion the small stages that made him. Recently, he performed in a small north London pub, showcasing the same energy he brings to larger venues like London's Alexandra Palace.

Turner has played more than three thousand shows and remembers how venues like The Joiners Arms in Southampton and The Railway Inn in Winchester helped him connect with others who shared his outlook. He emphasizes the importance of these small venues, stating that without them, the music industry risks becoming homogenized and disconnected from the community.

In 2023, 125 music venues have closed due to issues like rising rents and business rates. The Music Venue Trust has proposed a levy where a percentage of stadium ticket sales would support grassroots venues, a model similar to Premier League football.

Turner has personally donated one pound from every ticket sold on his last tour to support this cause. During the pandemic, he streamed weekly shows, raising around fifteen thousand dollars for struggling venues, helping to keep 26 venues afloat.

He acknowledges the challenges of government support for independent live music, feeling conflicted about public funding in the arts. Turner calls the closure of these venues a national scandal and believes that they are vital to the arts world and community.

He remains committed to fighting for their preservation, stating they are essential for music and community life. According to Turner, without these venues, we all lose.