Norman Cook, Jamie Cullum, Chris Hawkins and Ciaran Lavery have been unveiled as new patrons of the Music Venue Trust (MVT).
All four are longtime supporters of MVT and its work to support grassroots music venues.
Beverley Whitrick, MVT COO, said, “Artists and broadcasters have played a hugely important role in helping us build understanding of why grassroots music venues matter and why they need protecting. Norman, Jamie, Chris and Ciaran have all been doing that work with us for some time, so making them official patrons is really about recognising that contribution and saying thank you. Their voices help us reach audiences, communities and decision-makers that MVT could never reach alone.”
Artists and broadcasters have played a hugely important role in helping us build understanding of why grassroots music venues matter and why they need protecting
Beverley Whitrick, MVT
Norman Cook has previously invested in Music Venue Properties, the charitable community benefit society established to bring grassroots venues into community ownership. Fatboy Slim performed at Brighton venue The Pipeline as part of MVT’s Everywhere At Once festival, while Cook has regularly spoken about the importance of protecting grassroots venues.
Cook 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.”
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
Norman Cook
Musician and broadcaster Jamie Cullum has extensive experience of performing in grassroots venues including The Leadmill, The Wardrobe and King Tut’s.
Cullum shared his pride at becoming a patron of the MVT.
“Grassroots venues are where new talent gets found, nurtured and heard, but they also support the engineers, promoters and communities of creative people who build careers around them,” he said. “I certainly would not have built my career without venues like The Leadmill, The Wardrobe and King Tut’s. That ecosystem needs to be protected, and MVT fights for it tirelessly.”
BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins hosts regular events at grassroots venues, speaks on panels and discussions about grassroots music and champions independent venues on air.
Grassroots venues are where new talent gets found, nurtured and heard, but they also support the engineers, promoters and communities of creative people who build careers around them
Jamie Cullum
He said that grassroots venues are the “lifeblood of the music industry”.
“From the first gigs I ever went to, to the events I put on now, grassroots and independent venues have provided some of the greatest nights of my life,” Hawkins said. “Life is better when soundtracked by live music.”
Meanwhile, Northern Irish singer/songwriter Ciaran Lavery took part in MVT’s event at Stormont earlier this year.
“It is an honour to become a patron of Music Venue Trust and have the opportunity to help protect the grassroots music scene here in Belfast and across Northern Ireland,” he said. “I believe MVT’s work can strengthen not only the health of venues, but the wider thriving music scene here.”
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