Our Commitment
Grassroots music venues and emerging artist programmes are essential to the future of the live music industry. Across the UK, grassroots spaces are recognised as the foundation of artist development, giving performers the opportunity to gain live experience, grow audiences, and refine their craft. Many of today's globally recognised artists began their journeys performing in intimate venues and support slots before progressing to major stages and arenas.
With the closure of so many grassroots venues and dwindling opportunities for emerging artists, it has never been more important for established venues and organisations to actively support the next generation of talent. Rising costs and increasing pressures across the live music sector continue to create challenges for developing musicians, making accessible, professional performance opportunities more valuable than ever.
As a live events venue, we are proud to play our part through our Grassroots Artist Scheme, supported by Utilita Energy. Ahead of selected shows, emerging artists are invited to perform in our premium lounge, giving them the opportunity to showcase their music in a professional live arena environment and connect with new audiences.
Our commitment goes beyond simply providing a stage. Together with the support of Utilita Energy, we are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for emerging artists and helping to remove barriers to live performance. We believe artists should feel valued, respected, and properly supported throughout their experience with us. On the evening of their performance, all artists are provided with a private lockable dressing room, catering, and complimentary soft drinks to ensure they feel comfortable and welcome.
As part of the experience, every artist is invited to sign a vinyl record and leave their mark on the arena, creating a lasting legacy and celebrating their contribution to our live music community. It is a small but meaningful reminder that every established act once started as an emerging artist, and that every performance has the potential to be the beginning of something bigger.
By investing in grassroots talent today, we are helping to nurture the future of live music while creating memorable experiences for both artists and audiences alike.
If you are an emerging artist interested in performing as part of our Grassroots Artist Scheme, we would love to hear from you. We are always looking to support exciting new talent and provide opportunities for artists to take the next step in their live music journey.