It’s Independent Venue Week 2022.
It’s not news to tell you that venues across the country – across the world – have had quite a time through the pandemic. Furlough schemes, where they were present, only went so far and didn’t cover the many freelancers that our industry relies on. Venues shuttered and barred have lost staff who retrained. Repeated postponements of gigs have left audiences hungry, but cautious. People are booking at the last minute, meaning that venues are struggling to know if they can cover costs. Should they keep going with low sales and hope for a last minute surge, or pull a show and cut their losses? It’s been tough, and it’s still tough.
Your venues need you – they need us. We know that many people are balancing a line between enthusiasm and safety and no-one here is judging that. But as part of celebrating the spirit of independence and the culture of live music, we want to encourage you to go go to a gig this week if you feel safe enough to. And check out the Music Venue Trust too – see what they are doing.
There is always something on in Southampton, and to help you pick, we want to share with you the most comprehensive list of goings on that we’ve come across – (Not) Your Trusted Music Guide for Southampton and beyond. At the time of writing this lists 47 events on at venues locally at venues like The Joiners, The Brook, Heartbreakers, The 1865, Engine Rooms, Turner Sims and more – there’s something for everyone, surely.
Have a great Independent Venue Week, and we look forward to seeing you in a great venue, soon.
