It was a chilly night in Cardiff Bay as I zipped up my coat against the wind coming in from the English Channel. The launch of the Music Venue Trust’s annual report was taking place at the Senedd Building, the seat of the Welsh parliament. This impressive structure, featuring a vast glass front and striking curved wooden ceilings, was teeming this evening with members of the Senedd (MS’s) discussing policy in Y Siambr (The Chamber) alongside numerous representatives from both Wales and the UK live music scene.
The event was held in the Senedd’s spacious gallery area. Upon arrival, the welcoming MVT staff offered us copies of their annual report and a pamphlet celebrating last year's tenth anniversary. It's surprising to realize that the MVT, despite its significant impact, is officially only 11 years old. It emerged in response to the post-recession austerity period, marked by rising property prices and tougher licensing laws. Many vital cultural venues, such as London’s Astoria and the Barfly chain, closed during this time due to a lack of acknowledgment of their value. As Steve Lamacq mentions in the report: “changing the language was MVT’s first great achievement, putting the old ‘toilet circuit’ description to rest.”
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The thought of anyone using 'toilet circuit' to describe venues present tonight is unfathomable. I see representatives from Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach, Porter’s, and Tiny Rebel, along with Newport’s Le Pub, Swansea’s Elysium, and likely many others I haven't encountered. A staff member guides everyone upstairs for a complimentary drink. I spend some time chatting with the charming Dan Porter, founder and owner of Porter’s, and then, with an orange juice in hand, I entertain myself by observing an amusing feature of the Senedd. The upper gallery offers a direct view of the active debating chamber below, where some MS’s at the back were busy scrolling through social media and watching videos on their phones.
Everyone I converse with tonight carries a sense of cautious optimism. It may be a slight exaggeration, but the MVT has become an essential resource for the Welsh live music scene. Their estimations indicate that the Welsh live music industry contributes over £28 million to the economy, with audience attendance surpassing one million people. Of the 44 grassroots music venues operating in Wales as of July 2024, the MVT reports a 20% decline in emergency response cases (the charity’s term for venues at risk of closure due to licensing, noise complaints or legal action) compared to the prior year. They also achieved a perfect success rate on planning objections during that time.
After catching up with some Clwb staff and the tireless Emma Stowell-Coren from Newport Council, we move downstairs for the evening’s speeches and musical performances. The speakers include Welsh culture minister Jack Sargeant, Welsh Labour MS Rhiannon Passmore, and MVT CEO and founder Mark Davyd. Davyd delivers the final, impassioned speech, outlining his ambitious yet realistic goals. He mentions that two venues in Wales, Le Pub and Swansea’s Bunkhouse, had their leases acquired through MVT’s newly launched Music Venues Properties Scheme in 2024, and candidly shares his desire to save the remaining 42 venues under this initiative.
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Davyd’s calm yet passionate delivery reflects the general sentiment I gather from the venue owners present tonight. They comprehend the business economics and are realistic about the harsh realities facing music venues, which must turn a profit to survive. The MVT’s pragmatic proposals represent their belief in necessary implementations for venues to thrive amid the current economic conditions. Davyd's address emphasizes his charity's significant advocacy for a redistributive levy on arena ticket sales, alongside the need for comprehensive legislation (similar to existing regulations in Scotland) stating that, to quote the Scottish Government, “developers will be responsible for identifying and solving any potential issues with noise” and that “music venues should not bear the cost of making high-cost changes or dealing with expensive disputes arising from new developments.”
The MVT’s 2024 report has now been released for public perusal, yet, spurred by the positive atmosphere of the evening, it feels appropriate to highlight a few of MVT’s recent innovative initiatives. Throughout 2024, the charity’s Music Venue Properties scheme acquired the leases of four venues at risk of closure under what they call a “cultural lease.” These leases aim to “rebalance the power dynamic inherent in a standard commercial lease.” The 25-year agreements require operators to “deliver a minimum amount of cultural activity” and commit to adhering to best practices.
Moreover, the MVT has been lauded for its campaign advocating for a £1 levy on stadium and arena tickets to support grassroots venues. Thanks to their efforts, a cross-party government report issued last May proposed several recommendations for protecting live music, aiming for the voluntary implementation of the levy by September. In
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A chilly evening in Cardiff Bay. I fasten my coat to shield myself from the wind blowing in from the English Channel. Tonight marks the venue for the launch of the Music Venue.