In our final Last Safe Space episode of 2025… Toni and Mark Davyd look back on a defining year for the grassroots music ecosystem. 📺 Watch at youtu.be/-cvctI9t8Mo

From the outside, it might seem like all the action happens on stage. But behind the scenes, there’s a whole network of people, decisions, battles and breakthroughs shaping the future of grassroots music. 📺 youtu.be/VFzFRPEC3qo

A huge MVT thanks to Phyllis Belezos for her four years as Co-Chair of Music Venue Trust - and for continuing as a trustee with us.

We've been bouncing around the UK alongside Lords, Dames, MPs, Combined Authorities, Local Councils, Music Boards and Arts Organisations, gathering thoughts, ideas and honest reflections from fans in towns and cities up and down the country.

"Music venues are class and we all know that grassroots ones are the best." Getdown Services just wrapped up a massive 2025 with another sold-out show at the Electric Ballroom this weekend. 📸 Mike Rushby, The Tunnels, Aberdeen.

Venues are built on purpose. The values that drive their creation continue to shape every decision; from the way the bar, stage, and sound are managed, to how staff are respected, artists are looked after, and audiences feel safe and included.

🎁 Got someone unwrapping their first guitar this year? A set of drums? A old mic that might just change their life? Instruments can spark a lifetime of music... but only if there’s somewhere to play.

This week at youtu.be/XzKLBG_GzGo, MVT’s Toni is joined by Lala Oyegun, Membership Coordinator for the Music Venue Alliance, to talk about how the MVA is helping hundreds of venues across the UK…

We’re very proud to confirm that the Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene award is returning to the Music Week Awards for another year, which is another chance to celebrate the venues that keep the foundations of UK music alive.

The entire music industry is united in calling for Sir Keir Starmer and his government to take urgent and decisive action on business rates before ticket prices soar and venues close. We have come together today to sign a joint letter to the Prime Minister: bit.ly/MVTopenletter

Thank you to the artists, their teams, and their fans for including a voluntary grassroots levy on their tickets this year. If this initiative isn't directly led by the music industry, it will be led by government and less in all of our collective control.

Today, The O2 and Music Venue Trust announce a groundbreaking new partnership that formally recognises the essential role of Grassroots Music Venues in creating tomorrow’s arena headliners. 📸 Estie Joy

For every grassroots music venue that shuts its doors, around 200 gigs vanish from the map. 200 local shows that don’t happen. No support slots. No first-stage debuts. No tour dates in your town. No gigs = no future for live music. None of the stuff you love. Simple.

Big congratulations to Audio and Slay in Glasgow. Both awarded GOLD at this year’s Best Bar None Scotland awards.

🎁 Please forget the mug, and ditch the novelty tat which ends up in landfill. This year, put your money where the music is. A £10 Secret Santa budget is a gig ticket. A real night out, and an experience that somebody might not have had.

Congratulations to Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) members Shambala Festival, Wychwood Festival, Tramlines, Truck, Y Not, Kendal Calling, and Liverpool Sound City for picking up awards at the UK Festival Awards last night… 📸 Shambala

The Molotovs are heading to Bush Hall for a one-off Christmas show in support of grassroots music venues. Tickets on sale now at bit.ly/MoloXmas, with proceeds going to Music Venue Trust and our ongoing work.

Toni and Mark return to The Last Safe Space at youtu.be/lgIF_xqkbG4 with a stacked roster of updates across grassroots music.

MOTH Club is facing an existential threat because Hackney Council is considering approval of a residential development next door under delegated authority - denying the venue and its community a public planning hearing despite more than 25,000 objections.

This Budget is yet another episode in the long running saga of failures to seize opportunities to support Grassroots Music Venues. The Government’s rhetoric on their support for this vital sector is completely undone by the reality of their business rates decision.

🎟️ Tickets are now on sale for Mae Stephens’ grassroots UK tour. Thanks to the Liveline Fund, Mae will be performing across some of our most important venues. Support the future of live music by showing up where it starts. GET YOUR TICKETS.

We're proud to support the landmark 'Music in the City' report from Manchester Music City and Manchester City Council, and the launch of their new Grassroots Venues Network. 📸 Jody Hartley

Mae Stephens​, one of the UK’s most exciting voices​, will be playing a run of shows across some of the best grassroots music venues​. This is made possible through the Liveline Fund, powered by artists and fans supporting the foundation of the live music ecosystem. 🎟️ Tickets on sale Wednesday.

In this episode of The Last Safe Space: Toni speaks with Stina and Aled about the current pressures, regional strengths, and emerging opportunities shaping grassroots venues across Scotland and Wales, from licensing and planning issues to ethics, accessibility, and community-led support.

A defining voice of British songwriting, Glenn Tilbrook has spent decades crafting the sharp, melodic brilliance that made Squeeze one of the UK’s most enduring and influential bands...

As part of our ongoing work supporting the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s Fan-Led Review of Live Music, we’re excited to announce that the next two events in this nationswide series are coming to Wales.

Fair resale pricing helps fans afford more live shows in their local scene - supporting artists from day one. Grassroots venues are the foundation of the touring ecosystem.

£1.5 million raised. Target hit... and then some. Huge congratulations to Music Venue Properties, who’ve officially smashed their investment target, raising over £1.5 million to put UK grassroots venues into permanent community ownership.

Mother Mary's opened in June 2024, with bold ambitions to augment Manchester's rich grassroots live music scene and a commitment to inclusive, diverse and passionate programming.

Our huge, heartfelt thanks to Sam Fender, who’s donated his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to Music Venue Trust... after already making sure £1 from every ticket on his recent tour went to support grassroots music venues.

Just a small snapshot of a very interesting point made by Finlay Johnson (CEO Association for Electronic Music) as part of a much bigger conversation about Nightlife in Scotland.

This Trustees’ Week, we’re celebrating the incredible people who help steer Music Venue Trust: www.musicvenuetrust.com/team/#trustees

With more venues now entering community ownership - thanks to over 2,000 Music Venue Properties investors - we talk this week with Chris Sherrington about the incredible Save Our Venues campaign and how you can become a part owner in iconic grassroots spaces.

Live music is nothing without the fans and the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee have decided it’s finally time to put them in the centre of decision making, with a fan led review of Live and Electronic Music.

As part of Unconvention, MVT will be hosting our last in-person workshop of the year on Thurs 20 Nov at The Rose and Monkey Hotel. 🔗 RSVP via https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/The-Rose-And-Monkey-Hotel/MVT-Workshop-Values--Why-You-Should-Be-Talking-About-Them/41465217/ 📸 by Greta Baltic

We’re joining forces with Marshall to amplify the heart of live music. Together, we’re launching Marshall Nights - a nationwide series of gigs celebrating grassroots venues, local artists, and the communities that keep live music alive.

Most venue closures don’t happen because no one turns up. They happen because someone bought the building next door, submitted a planning application, and didn’t want to hear people milling around after 10pm.

In the new episode of The Last Safe Space: Toni speaks with Lloyd and Jay about the latest trends, challenges, and breakthroughs shaping grassroots venues across England; from rising costs to local government support and policy innovation. 📺 Watch in full on our YouTube at: youtu.be/X3r5CZZaJv4

Live music is nothing without the fans and the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport committee have decided it’s finally time to put them in the centre of decision making, with a fan led review of Live and Electronic Music.

Applications are now open for Manchester’s £245,000 Grassroots Music Venue Fund... and we’re working to get the money into venues’ hands as quickly as possible. ➤ Applications (and more info) now open via bit.ly/ManchesterFund ➤ Deadline: Friday 28th November ➤ Payments issued by end of January

Emerging acts playing first-on and support slots get their early live crowd experience, develop stage craft and connection. They often help create the local buzz that enables promoters to sell national tours. They’re part of the pipeline from grassroots venues to arenas.

In this episode of The Last Safe Space podcast, MVT's Toni and Sophie unpack the government’s new consultation on licensing reform and what it means for grassroots music venues in no nonsense terms. 📺 Watch exclusively first on YouTube now at youtu.be/Y0UoQUgUksk + hit subscribe.

THANK YOU to everyone who came to the first-ever cross-industry Grassroots Networking Day with Association of Independent Festivals and Association of Independent Promoters. 📸 by Georgia Penny

Every movement started in a small room somewhere. Sometimes underfunded and misunderstood. But that’s how roots grow. That’s how scenes start. That’s how heroes are formed. That's what keeps every single one of us at MVT, and all our members, motivated in protecting.

Thanks to everyone who joined us, AIF, and AIP for the first combined Grassroots Networking Day. When venue operators, festival organisers, agents, and promoters share insight without ego or agenda... everyone gains. Because we’re all part of the same ecosystem. 📸 Georgia Penny

AGMP Concerts and MVT / Liveline Presents: OMAR – 'BRIGHTER THE DAYS’ UK TOUR, celebrating Omar Lye-Fook MBE's 40 years in music. 🎟️ Tickets on sale now at: agmp.co.uk

We're delighted to be bring our Ethical Venues Workshop to Porters in Cardiff, as part of the fantastic Sŵn programme. Come and find us there! 🎟️ Tickets and more info: https://bit.ly/47mo5Kb

The Ferret in Preston has revealed plans to expand into the rest of its historic mill building, creating a new 350-capacity space, recording studios, classrooms and podcast suites.

This autumn, our friends at WaterBear are hitting the road with their Keeping Music Live tour - raising funds for MVT and celebrating the venues that make it all possible. Because no artist starts at a stadium. It starts here - in these rooms, on these nights, where everything begins.

If you're a member of our Music Venue Alliance, AIF, or AIP - then please look into joining us one week from today in London. We're bringing together venues, agents, promoters, and festivals like never before.