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‘The whole ecosystem is collapsing’: inside the crisis in Britain’s live music scene

While giant promoters rake in billions, smaller venues are struggling to make ends meet – even when gigs are selling out. We go on tour to find a glimmer of hope

Four years ago, just prior to the first UK lockdown, I spent a week at the Brudenell – a former working men’s club built in 1913 – to see how such venues operated, and it’s my first port of call to see how they are coping today. With Ramones and Misfits posters decking the walls, five bands on the bill for £7 when I visit, an over-14s policy and a strong sense of community, it’s a special place – “the only one to really focus on this culture,” says pink-haired Nicole, 18, who first attended at 15 and has seen Black Flag and Subhumans here. Persuading other big artists and mega-promoters to follow suit is a challenge, but Davyd hopes that the government will act if the industry won’t: “Communities are losing access to their venues while they see these large conglomerates announcing they’ve never made so much money.

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