Music Venue Trust (MVT) and The National Lottery have unveiled an expanded line-up for Everywhere At Once, the UK-wide live music weekend at grassroots music venues across the country.
Taking place on what would have been the Glastonbury Festival weekend of June 26 to 28, more than 400 grassroots music venues will stage hundreds of live music events under the banner of Everywhere At Once: The UK’s biggest festival.
The event is billed as the biggest celebration of grassroots live music ever staged in the UK.
Joining the previously announced artists at various grassroots venues are Fatboy Slim, Glenn Tilbrook, Lucy Spraggan, Gene, D Double E, P Money and Westside Cowboy.
Details of Fatboy Slim’s show, and how to get tickets, will be announced in the run-up to the festival weekend.
Fatboy Slim said: “I’ve been lucky enough to play huge stages all over the world, but grassroots venues are where it all started for me and where music scenes really begin, where artists learn their craft, where communities form, and where people come together purely for the love of it. Without grassroots venues, independent promoters and local crowds taking a chance on something new, none of this exists.
“These spaces are vital for culture and for local communities, so if there’s anything I can do to help shine a light on them and help keep that spirit alive, I’m more than happy to be involved. And if you care about music, go out and support your local venues, buy a ticket, discover somebody new, and be part of keeping those scenes alive.”
More than 2,000 artists will perform across the weekend, representing the full spectrum of the UK’s music scene, including dance, electronic music, indie, rock, grime, pop, jazz, folk, punk, soul and more.
Previously announced artists include Miki Berenyi Trio (pictured at Sneaky Pete’s), Brooke Combe, Becky Hill, Tinie Tempah, Rizzle Kicks, The Lathums, Master Peace, Toddla T, The Divine Comedy and Jodie Harsh, alongside Vlure, Royston Club, Inspiral Carpets, Tom A Smith, Dave McCabe, Chris Helme, Omar, Vigilantes and many more.
Without grassroots venues, independent promoters and local crowds taking a chance on something new, none of this exists
Fatboy Slim
“Supported by the National Lottery, established artists will perform intimate grassroots venue shows alongside emerging local talent and breakthrough new acts, highlighting the vital role these venues play in developing the next generation of British music,” said a statement.
“50 years ago Squeeze started out in the small venues of South East London,” said Glenn Tilbrook, co-founder and lead singer of Squeeze. “Later this year we will be playing our biggest UK tour including at the O2 Arena across the Thames from the Theatreship. I still go out and play solo shows at grassroots venues and some of the best nights I’ve ever had playing music have been in tiny rooms packed with people who just love live music.
“These venues don’t just support musicians, they become part of the fabric of local communities. They give people a place to meet, connect and discover something new. We need to cherish them, if we lose them, we lose far more than somewhere to see a band. So show your support for your local venue, you never know where the next great artist, or the next great night, might come from.”
The National Lottery’s backing for Everywhere At Once will help venues and independent promoters champion new artists and programme a bold, exciting weekend in communities across the UK.
“Live music is an ecosystem, from your local small venue all the way up to stadiums,” said Lucy Spraggan. “Each night a venue supplies a stage for an artist, that artist is supported by their crew, just as the venue is supported by their staff. You can see the network of livelihoods that entwine through the umbrella that is ‘live music’, it’s pretty endless. There is a career for musicians, crew, artists, tour managers from smaller projects all the way to Taylor Swift sized projects, but only if we have the venues to support them. Grassroots venues give opportunities to a plethora of people and we, as artists and gig goers, breathe life back into the venues. We are all an important part of the ecosystem.”
In 2021, The National Lottery and MVT cemented their partnership with the Revive Live Tour, which helped venues re-open and rebuild following the impact of Covid.
Everywhere At Once will be delivered by Music Venue Trust alongside Save Our Scene and the Association of Independent Promoters.
Audiences will also be given the opportunity to support a range of music charities at the point of purchase, with donations supporting War Child, Nordoff Robbins, Help Musicians and Teenage Cancer Trust.
PHOTO: Callum Mackintosh
