The pipeline to success has just been given a major boost – literally! Fatboy Slim is throwing his weight behind the campaign to save Brighton's beloved music venue, The Pipeline, from the clutches of commercial landlords. As part of a £7 million initiative spearheaded by Music Venue Properties (MVP), this 60-capacity Little East Street gem is set to become community-owned – and Norman Cook couldn't be more thrilled.
The move marks another significant victory for MVP, which has now acquired ten venues across the UK. By purchasing the freeholds of these grassroots music spaces, the organisation aims to shield them from the volatility of commercial landlords and escalating rents that threaten their very existence. Think of it as a National Trust model for music venues – but instead of stately homes, it's saving our beloved live music haunts.
Norman Cook, the one-time Brightonian, knows a thing or two about grassroots music. As a long-time advocate for these spaces, he highlights their vital role in helping acts learn their craft and memories being made. "Rooms like this are where dreams come true," he says with conviction, recalling his own sold-out gig at The Pipeline last June as part of the Everywhere at Once festival.
For Thomas Evrenos, who's run The Pipeline since 2017, Cook's intervention has brought a huge sigh of relief. "We'd be in trouble without MVP," he admits, highlighting the importance of having a landlord that understands and supports the venue's purpose. It's a stark reminder of how commercial pressures can force beloved venues to fold – but thanks to MVP, The Pipeline is being given a new lease on life.
MVP's Peter Cornforth echoes Cook's sentiments, stressing the organisation's mission to preserve the grassroots music scene. With The Pipeline now secured alongside other recent successes like The Booking Hall in Dover and The Joiners in Southampton, MVP's impact on safeguarding UK live music is clear – and Fatboy Slim's backing is a testament to its growing influence.