Following consultation with venues, promoters and musicians involved in the local music industry, the Council has teamed up with the Music Venue Trust to discuss and identify the problems faced in Plymouth and how to tackle them to support a thriving local music scene.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council said: “We listened to the concerns that were raised about the local music scene, and we’re taking action. I’m thrilled to be announcing our partnership with the Music Venue Trust who have worked all across the country. The problem faced by live music venues is not just a local one – so it’s great to be working with an organisation that has expertise and a great track record of reviving grassroots music scenes.
“Together we will be working to grow and develop this important aspect of Britain’s Ocean City’s vibrant cultural scene.”
The Music Venue Trust will be engaging with music venues across the city to understand the local music scene and identify steps to support the industry. This will be followed by a two week celebration event in September, Fightback Plymouth, which will celebrate the local artists and venues that exist in the city.
Mark Davyd, CEO of the Music Venue Trust said: “We are excited to be working with Plymouth City Council and the city’s fantastic range of grassroots music venues. There is a thriving, organic music scene here which has real potential to be regionally and nationally important. This is an opportunity to work right across that scene to identify the value of what already exists, seek opportunities to support it, and look for opportunities to plug the gaps that might prevent the scene reaching its full potential.”
The Music Venue Trust works nationally to protect, secure and improve grassroots music venues. Created in January 2014 the charity has been working at a national level, feeding into Government research about the music industry and working to secure the long-term future of iconic music venues across the UK.
As part of this work Music Venue Trust has delivered successful Fightback events in Bristol, Brighton and Manchester.