Rou Reynolds, the lead singer of Enter Shikari, spoke with NME at Download 2024 about the importance of the upcoming general election in the survival of the UK’s grassroots music venues. The band has been vocal in its support of the Music Venue Trust and made significant efforts to support grassroots music spaces, including introducing a £1 ticket levy to its arena shows, which was then donated to the MVT. This initiative has been followed by other artists, including CKY and Alien Ant Farm, who have confirmed that they will be introducing the same levy.
According to Reynolds, a new government could make a difference in protecting local music venues and creating more opportunities for artists. As Reynolds explains, “A change of government will definitely help. At the moment, there’s a real kind of push towards building new arenas in this country and creating jobs that way. That’s great, but in order to have the artists that are eventually going to fill those arenas, you need to support the venues which are going to give them their first steps. The places where they’re going to learn their craft, where they’re going to play, where they’re going to create a community.”
The band’s latest album, A Kiss For The Whole World, has received a hugely positive response, and Enter Shikari is getting ready for its upcoming smaller, more intimate UK live shows after its recent arena tour. In addition to discussing the band’s new material, Reynolds shared his views on seeing more artists getting involved in supporting grassroots music venues, saying, “It feels like in the last year there’s been like so much more support for everything that Music Venue Trust is doing. Even for just creating awareness of the plight of independent music venues in this country.”
The Music Venue Trust has been urging political parties to “seize the moment” in sharing the manifesto for the grassroots ahead of the general election. Young people have also been reminded to make the most of their “super power” and register to vote before it’s too late
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