FEATURE:
At This Rate…
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Music Venues’ Prosperity in 2020
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SOME good news broke this week…
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that is cause for celebration in the music industry. I have talked a lot about small venues but, as the Government announced it is cutting business rates for small and medium-sized venues, it means their survival and prosperity is much more likely. I want to look at how governments can help venues further and, when we look at changing eating and drinking habits, whether some venues could adapt to draw more people in. Before then, here is that report:
“The government has committed to reducing business rates for small and medium-sized music venues in England and Wales for the first time. The 50% reduction available to smaller retailers will be extended to 230 small and medium-sized music venues with a rateable value below £51,000. Independent cinemas will also benefit from the reduction.
The Music Venue Trust estimates that the move will save each site an average of £7,500 a year, and release more than £1.7m back into the grassroots live music sector. Music Venue Trust strategic director Beverley Whitrick said it was a “much needed and long overdue boost”.
Nathan Clark of the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds said he was overjoyed by the news. “This reduction of business rates supports an ability to reinvest, helping new and emerging artists, create accessible events, and further support a vibrant, but financially strained environment for the wider community.”
The last decade has seen 35% of grassroots music venues across England and Wales close. The UK’s first live music census, published in February 2018, found that a third of British venues outside London were fighting to survive in the face of high business rates and noise restrictions.
Of almost 200 small music venues (with a capacity of up to 350 people) surveyed, 33% reported that increases in business rates had an “extreme, strong or moderate” impact on their existence in the past 12 months. One medium-sized venue (351–650 capacity) reported their rateable value quadrupling from £17,500 to £72,000.
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Business rates are by no means the only challenge facing the UK’s music venues. In March 2019, the British music industry body that collects royalty payments for musicians said it planned to more than double the rates paid by pubs, bars and nightclubs to play recorded music. Changing drinking habits have also been blamed for the closure of small venues”.
It is good that so many venues will benefit from these measures. I wonder, as we are just finishing Independent Venue Week (it ends on 2nd February), whether more money can be earmarked for venues. There is that issue of noise pollution and, whilst I have mentioned this in a feature before, I do think venues that are especially afflicted by noise concerns – and receive complains – could benefit from capital. I know there is not an endless kitty for music but, when we consider the money injected into film, theatre and other areas of the arts, I think music is equally valuable. Any support that can be provided to venues is great and, with the reduction of business rates, a lot of money will go to grassroots venues. Past this, what about prevention, growth, and the existence of new sites? I think noise complaints are important to consider and, whilst people who move near venues should know better, venues threatened with penalties because of noise pollution could benefit from funding. Similarly, so many of us are not eating and drinking out, but I wonder how venues (that are not making a lot from food and drink) could benefit from extra money available.
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I guess it is hard to reverse current trends but, as a lot of venues are struggling to make profits, the £1.7m being poured back into small and medium-sized venues could help out. I think more awareness and promotion of the great venues around the U.K. could bring more people in. Independent Venue Week is a great way to shine a spotlight on venues, but government campaigns and more spending promoting venues through the media would be a big help. It might be a stretch to think new venues could form but, as we are hearing positive news, who would bet against it? There has been much celebration on social media; people relieved that so many venues will benefit and, with a lot of new money going into the industry, how it will benefit the industry as a whole – and all the great artists who rely on venues. I am still worried many close and rent prices are so steep – especially if you are in a major city like London. Of course, the fact fewer people are going out contributes, but preservation of existing venues and making people conscious of the fantastic music available near them could well help. Those who argue that venues are less relevant in an age of social media need to realise that, without venues, artists struggle to perform, hone their craft, and have the confidence to release music. The experience of watching an artist play and being in that space is electric. This BBC article is interesting to read:
“It was at Barfly where Bombay Bicycle Club met producer Jim Abbiss, who worked with them on their debut album and throughout their career.
Jack says the venues provide a lifeline.
"Playing live has kind of become the main source of sustenance for bands... bands aren't going to be able to rely on income from royalties.
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"I know there's lots of smaller venues struggling but we all need to try our hardest to keep them open."
"There's so many people in and around the venues in their local communities who are willing to come down, paint walls, make repairs, give their time for free - because they're so appreciative of having these spaces," Chloe Ward, director of UK for Independent Venue Week, tells Radio 1 Newsbeat.
"They open their doors to audiences to come in and be inspired to become managers or artists themselves or to get into the music industry."
Chloe says current "astronomical business rates" are the "main struggle" for lots of the small venues who take part in their event.
"You recognise how passionate and innovative the owners are. They are nurturing talent who goodness knows where they're going to be in five years - they could be headlining Glastonbury or arenas.
"They'll probably start out on the bottom of the bill playing to 10 of their mates... it's where they get noticed".
It is great that there is positive news coming out, just as we throw love towards out vital venues. With so many great artists entering the industry, all hungry to perform and get their music heard, I think our Government should think more about allotting money to music’s live scene so, in generations to come, we have a healthy and diverse live scene. That, obviously, is for the good…
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OF all music fans.