Feel the Beat: How Grassroots Gigs Create a True Music Family

Independent Venue Week is an annual event that celebrates the importance of small, independent music venues across the UK. These grassroots spaces are vital for new musicians and music fans, but many are struggling to stay open because of rising costs. In Yorkshire, a variety of live music events are taking place at venues that are part of this campaign, which is supported by Arts Council England. Last year, 255 shows sold out during Independent Venue Week, showing how popular these events are. However, the Music Venue Trust reports that more than half of small venues in the UK did not make a profit last year, and 30 venues had to close. Despite these challenges, attendance at grassroots gigs has actually increased by 13 percent, with 21 million fans attending shows in 2025.

One of the musicians taking part in Independent Venue Week is Harrison Rimmer, a singer-songwriter from York. He will be performing at The Fulford Arms, a venue that has played a big role in his music career. Harrison says that grassroots music gave him a place where he felt like he belonged. He remembers feeling out of place in his everyday life until he discovered rock, punk, and folk music. The first time he went to The Fulford Arms, he was just a fan in the audience, but he immediately felt like he was part of a community. He could express himself and enjoy the music without worrying about anything else. Harrison started out playing at open mic nights in York, and one of his first ticketed gigs was at The Fulford Arms in 2012. Since then, he has toured in Australia, the Netherlands, and parts of Asia. He says he never takes performing for granted and always remembers how excited he was when he first started.

Another band from York, Suspicious Liquid, is also performing during Independent Venue Week. Their vocalist, Vanessa Toyd, says that independent venues are special because they allow for more interaction between the musicians and the audience. She enjoys going into the crowd during their shows and even has a part where someone drinks a 'suspicious liquid' from a goblet. Vanessa says this kind of fun and connection would not be possible in a larger, less personal venue.

The Hallamshire Hotel in Sheffield is another example of a grassroots venue with a rich history. It first opened in 1903 and became a popular live music spot in the 1980s and 1990s, hosting future stars like Jarvis Cocker and the band Pulp. The venue closed in 2003 and became a cocktail and pizza bar, but it reopened in 2024 as a music venue once again. Jack Hardwick, the events and technical manager, says that the music scene has changed a lot. With streaming services like Spotify, people can listen to almost any music they want at home, so it takes more effort to get them to come out to live shows. He also points out that the cost of living is higher, so people are more careful about how they spend their money. While big concerts still attract crowds, smaller venues have to work harder to get people to take a chance on new artists. Jack believes it is essential for people to keep supporting grassroots venues because they help new musicians develop their skills and bring communities together.

David Brown, a former grassroots musician, opened his own venue called The Attic in Leeds in 2023. The Attic can hold about 200 people, and David understands how difficult it can be for new artists to find places to perform. He says that venues usually only make money from selling drinks and extras, so they need to be sure enough people will come to the show. Despite these challenges, David wants to give smaller artists a platform to perform. He says the most rewarding part is seeing the happiness and emotions of both the audience and the performers. For David, creating a welcoming space where people can share music and connect is the most important thing.

Independent Venue Week highlights the crucial role that small music venues play in the UK’s music scene. These spaces give musicians a chance to grow and fans a place to feel like they belong. Even though it is tough to keep these venues open, the passion of musicians, venue owners, and fans keeps live music alive in Yorkshire and beyond.