When the massive cultural behemoth of Glastonbury takes a year off, an unexpected opportunity arises for those who believe in the heart of the music scene: a chance to celebrate the venues and artists that make the UK live music culture thrive. This weekend is dedicated to this idea, with the launch of Everywhere At Once festival taking hundreds of stages across the UK in grassroots venues.
Artists like Rizzle Kicks and Inspiral Carpets are among those taking part, highlighting why supporting these essential spaces matters for the creative ecosystem. They are demonstrating that the magic doesn’t just happen on massive stages; it flourishes in community-focused environments.
The push for this kind of grassroots support comes at a critical time. The Music Venue Trust (MVT) CEO, Mark Davyd, pointed out that the pause in major events created a turning point, sparking a discussion about the sector’s future. He noted that money will start flowing from the grassroots levy, signaling a much-needed shift.
Davyd provided compelling statistics, emphasizing the potential: if all UK grassroots music venues were operating at full capacity, they could host 252,000 people—exactly the size of Glastonbury. This scale underscores the enormous untapped potential lying within local spaces.
This renewed focus has seen major industry figures call upon stars like Becky Hill, Fatboy Slim, and Tinie Tempah to participate in this movement, sending a powerful message: these venues are still vital and continue to host incredible shows.
The true story of the grassroots scene is deeply embedded in its history. For bands like Rizzle Kicks, small venues were crucial training grounds, providing the foundation for playing to massive crowds later on. They recount how growing up in smaller spaces taught them invaluable lessons about performance and audience connection—a perspective that remains vital today.
The struggle for these venues is palpable. Over the last decade, the UK has lost more than 300 treasured grassroots music spaces, and recent reports indicate that over half of UK grassroots venues made no profit in 2025, contributing to a wider crisis in the touring landscape.
This loss has created a significant gap, leaving thousands of fans without easy access to live music and countless artists without the opportunities needed to hone their craft. Many argue that the lack of small-to-mid-sized venues makes it nearly impossible to progress from local garage bands to headlining arenas.
The legacy of venue culture is undeniable. Legends like Oasis and the Inspiral Carpets built their careers by relentlessly touring and performing in smaller, local spots. It was in these spaces that talent was discovered and skills were developed, proving that genuine success often requires mastering the grassroots circuit first.
Today, the message is clear: supporting venues like the small pubs, dive bars, and community hubs is not just sentimental; it is practical. As Live events manager Ben Street observed, these intimate spaces are the beating heart of communities, offering an authentic alternative to arena shows for fans who seek connection over spectacle.
Everywhere At Once acts as a reminder that while the larger world shifts, there is still incredible, authentic music happening on every doorstep. The call is simple: celebrate the places that keep music alive and give new artists the platform they need to shine.
The festival runs until Sunday 28 June, inviting everyone to explore local talent and rediscover the magic happening right where we live.
Credit: NME
