Get ready for the ultimate music festival takeover – no need to pitch up in Pilton this weekend! 'Everywhere At Once' is the brainchild of Music Venue Trust (MVT), a nationwide extravaganza that's spreading its wings across hundreds of grassroots venues, shining a spotlight on these unsung heroes. With Glastonbury taking its biennial breather, MVT is seizing the opportunity to drive audiences and revenue into these smaller but mighty venues, proving they're more than just a stepping stone for bigger acts – they're the heartbeat of our live music scene.
Organised by MVT CEO Mark Davyd, this festival has sparked massive excitement in the music community. With a host of big names like Rizzle Kicks, Inspiral Carpets, Becky Hill, Fatboy Slim, and Tinie Tempah getting behind it, you can expect an electrifying mix of established talent and fresh faces at every turn. The stats are staggering: 252,000 people could attend these grassroots gigs if they were full – the same capacity as Glastonbury itself! MVT's timing is spot on, coinciding with a projected upturn for the sector as funds from the grassroots levy begin to roll in.
The support from artists has been overwhelming, with many lending their names and talents to this "maniac's dream" of a festival. Davyd says it loud and clear: "These venues are still here, still putting on cracking shows – let's get behind them!" The National Lottery's £1 billion investment in music is the icing on the cake, demonstrating the industry's commitment to preserving our unique musical heritage.
Rizzle Kicks' Harley Alexander-Sule knows firsthand the importance of these grassroots venues. He recalls their early days: "You'd proper cut your teeth in all those venues – that's where we found our feet." The duo is set to return to Patterns in Brighton, a venue they haven't played in 15 years but one that holds significant personal history for them.
This festival comes at a crucial moment, as over 300 grassroots spaces have been lost across the UK in recent years. These venues are more than just performance areas – they're breeding grounds for new talent, offering artists the essential experience to hone their craft before moving on to bigger stages and festivals like Glastonbury. By participating, artists hope to draw attention to the ongoing need for preservation and ensure future generations have the same opportunities.
While Glastonbury's fallow year provides a temporary gap in the festival calendar, 'Everywhere At Once' is striving to leave a lasting legacy by championing the importance of local music venues. This event serves as a powerful reminder that our rich musical heritage and future talent depend heavily on the continued health and support of these precious spaces.
Mark Davyd sums it up perfectly: "This festival is about giving back to the scene, showing the world what's still going strong – and we need all hands on deck!" Get ready to join the party and make some noise for our grassroots venues. 'Everywhere At Once' is the ultimate celebration of local music and a chance to preserve its future.