Why Small Music Venues Matter: A Conversation with Frank Turner
On a warm summer evening, in a quaint North London pub’s upstairs room, Frank Turner is performing to a small crowd. Just weeks earlier, Turner had captivated an audience of 10,000 fans at London’s Alexandra Palace, but his dynamic energy is equally palpable in this intimate setting. His commitment to small venues is a testament to their significance in the music industry.
Turner has always been a vocal advocate for the UK’s grassroots music scene. As a teenager, he found solace in venues such as The Joiners Arms in Southampton and The Railway Inn in Winchester. These were spaces where he not only discovered bands like Black Flag and Sonic Youth but also met like-minded individuals and formed lasting friendships.
Turner’s early experiences in these small venues hugely influenced his musical journey. In London, he frequented spaces where bands played in close proximity to their fans. It was here that he honed his performance skills, learning not just the technicalities of sound checking but also mastering the art of engaging with a crowd.
With over 3,000 performances to his name, Turner has helped shape a compassionate rock community. His hit song ‘Be More Kind’ has become a mantra for unity, creating a familial atmosphere at his gigs. However, the small venues that once nurtured Turner’s talent are now facing unprecedented challenges.
Business rates and rising rents, coupled with residential conversions and the cost of living crisis, led to the closure of 125 music venues in 2023. As Turner sees it, these issues are fundamentally structural. From his conversations with venue owners, it is clear that the cost of running a small business in a city location can be overwhelming even before they sell a single ticket.
The Music Venue Trust (MVT), a body advocating for small venues, has proposed a levy. According to this proposal, a percentage of every stadium or arena ticket sold would go towards supporting grassroots venues. Turner, in a gesture of solidarity, donated £1 from every ticket sold during his last tour.
Preserving these spaces is critical to prevent the music industry from homogenising. Turner warns that without independent venues, the industry will be governed by the preferences of pop music moguls. He believes that while there is a place for mainstream music, variety is the spice of life and it is essential to maintain a diverse musical ecosystem.
Turner is concerned about the younger generation who, raised on TikTok and mega concerts, may not appreciate the unique experience a local £10 gig can provide. He fears that the shift in how young people consume live music may affect the future of local venues and, consequently, the sense of community they foster.
During the lockdown, Turner used his platform to raise funds for struggling venues, streaming weekly shows from his living room. These shows not only provided a lifeline for 26 venues but also kept Turner grounded during these uncertain times.
While acknowledging the efforts of the MVT, Turner believes that more needs to be done to raise awareness about the crisis facing small venues. He is somewhat torn about government intervention, as he feels the independent live music sector should not rely on government subsidies. However, he is critical about public funding being disproportionately allocated to opera houses over grassroots music venues.
For Turner, small venues are the hidden backbone of the arts world; they are the platforms for aspiring musicians and the lifeline of the music community. He is adamant that he will continue his fight for them, as they are not just the home of music, but the birthplace of communities.
