BREAKING NEWS: Simply sharing a Facebook post about saving your local music venue, doesn’t save your local music venue.
Don’t get it twisted, public awareness and sharing is one of the key factors to tackling the issue, but if you decide to stay at home tucked up watching a Z-lister eat a worm on I’m a Celebrity on a Friday night rather than take literally a couple of hours to go and have an experience which could end up in you finding your new favourite band, make a new friend, or potentially have the power to make sure that your favourite venue stays open, then we can expect to see more and more of the city’s most beloved disappear in the blink of an eye.
I can’t express enough how gigs don’t just happen. It takes programmers, promoters, musicians, bar staff and bar managers, sound engineers, lighting engineers, all putting in a crazy amount of hours working around the clock for something they truly love and care about.
Toni Coe-Brooker, Production and Programming Manager here at GDS, recently posted this status which I think highlights the pure passion that goes into this field of work…
“The DIY music scene is in the decline. For a multitude of silly reasons we are losing Indie venues every year due to lack of support. Lack of support from the government, our local councils, lack of funding, the drive for new property development, noise abatements, increase in business rates….
I would go as far as saying we are experiencing a cultural crisis. Some might say “it’s just music!” but it isn’t.. Indie venues are essential community hubs for alternative culture. A culture that exists through a universal love of music and the arts. Something incredibly positive that improves emotional and physical health and creates a sense of belonging for even the most vulnerable. It doesn’t just exist for the young. It provides community for people from all walks of life.
Each local music scene is built on the Good Will of those that put everything they have in to it. The people that run it, the promoters that put shows on and the people that spend their money on tickets and drinks.
The DIY music scene and indie venues specifically have changed my life in the most positive way. I do not want to see anymore of them close. Please recognise your own ability to influence this crisis and take steps to protect your local venue.”
There are plenty of steps you can take as an individual that doesn’t break the bank – all it takes is motive.
- Free entry shows.
The Green Door Store, and Brighton as a whole, offer plenty of free entry music nights. So there’s no excuse for being skint – we’ve got you covered on the drinks front too, with deals £3 for a tin or £2 for a tequila (bargain), or grab one of our soft drinks instead. Take it as a chance to see that friend you’ve been meaning to see for a while, a chance to relax or a chance to get away from reality for a little while.
- Try something new, don’t skip support acts and bin living-room pre drinks.
Meet at the venue rather than at someone’s house beforehand. If you haven’t heard of the band – go anyway. At one point David Bowie only played to a few people – you may discover some true gems.
- Keep fighting the good fight.
There is power in the people. You believe in us, and we believe in you.
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