British nightlife and grassroot music venues continue to face challenges to stay afloat amidst increasing financial pressure.
Derby is one of many cities in Britain whose nightlife and music scene is struggling to cope with the in number of pubs and music venues to play in.
In recent years the city has seen some of its most iconic venues, such as Vines or The Venue, who closed due to higher rents and tax increases.
Mariquita Drummer Darren Gorman believes nightlife and live music in Britain are failing industry for artists:Â “It’s a dying industry, because people can’t spend the money to support it.
“They have to prioritise their spending, whereas many years ago it was cheaper to go out.”
This is a nationwide issue, with it being reported by the NME that one music venue shuts once every fortnight.
It has also been reported by MVT in an open letter to the government that additional rising costs puts hundreds of live music venues at risk.
Many of the biggest artists and bands in the UK started out within these small grassroot venues such as Bastille, Sam Fender and Jake Bugg.
Derby’s The Venue hosted the likes of Foals, Wolf Alice and Pale Waves, who have since become huge sensations in the UK.
Gorman fears losing grassroot venues and pubs could stop talented artists coming through.
He said: “These artists who started out in pubs and small venues, they love music and they want to play.
“These days it’s harder to do that, it’s harder to start up if there aren’t venues to go to.”
There are still alternative routes for these nightlife venues and pubs, such as Ultra Warehouse, who use an industrial site as their venue.
Pubs, such as O’Dwyers, who often use themes to draw crowds in, which Gorman believes is a smart initiative.
He said: “They do a lot of them nights now, a Dolly Parton or Luke Combs tribute act for example, you’ll also have your traditional bands and artists to get them exposure.”
