From Bush Hall to Luna: London live music venues which need saving

Sticky floors, quirky furniture and black curtains make up some of the unique charm of London’s smallest venues.

While the O2 arena and Wembley Stadium attract global megastars such as Taylor Swift and Beyonce, the capital’s grassroots music venues have also hosted the likes of Nick Cave, Amy Winehouse and Kings of Leon.

But London’s smallest venues are in desperate need of support. According to the Music Venues Trust 2023 annual report, last year was the worst for venue closures in a decade. According to the report, across the UK, two venues closed down every single week - 125 in total.

Despite grassroots music venues contributing over £501 million to the UK economy, and providing more than 28,000 jobs, their profit margin last year was just 0.5%.

Although those at the very top of the live sector continue to rake in massive profits, 38% of grassroot venues made a loss in 2023.

In London, several grassroots music venues have had to resort to crowdfunding to help keep their doors open.

Bush Hall

Bush Hall in Shepherd’s Bush is attempting to raise £42,000 through crowdfunding to prevent it from losing its music status.

The iconic independent venue has hosted gigs over the last 23 years by the likes of REM, Amy Winehouse, Florence & The Machine, Adele, The Killers and Nick Cave. It was the venue for Kings Of Leon’s first UK show in 2006.

The former Edwardian dance hall has been used as a music venue since 2001, when it was restored by its current owners, Charlie Raworth and Emma Hutchinson.

On the crowdfunder page, they wrote: “Since the pandemic sustaining live music continues to be incredibly challenging.

“The marketplace and audience perspective has dramatically changed, compounded by the cost of living crisis with declining per head spend, spiralling utility and insurance costs. This leaves us with devastatingly low margins across the sector. We are now sitting in the red month on month.

“Every penny we have had has been ploughed back into overheads. In April the minimum wage goes up which only raises the burden for hospitality places and will increase our supplier costs yet again with budget increases also expected. 

“We have always been a rare breed of independent, self-sustainable grassroots music and events venue. We now seriously need funding support and investment, so we can continue our musical journey and not be forced to market during the recent and ongoing recession.”

Bush Hall says it has suffered from a 24.5% drop in live music bookings in 2023.

The venue describes the campaign as "all or nothing" and says it will return donations if it does not raise £42,000 by April 12. Nearly £32,000 has been raised so far and readers can donate via the crowdfunding page.

Luna

Luna, in Leytonstone, needs to raise £75,000 by April 5 to keep its doors open. The grassroots music venue, which first opened in 2004, has been described as the “cultural heartbeat of Leytonstone”.

Luna puts on live acts, from all genres, seven days a week, providing a platform for thousands of artists. Last year it hosted more than 400 shows.

Over the pandemic the venue ran into rent arrears. To secure a new lease the management needs to repay the arrears, pay a year’s rent in advance, and conduct the maintenance/building work.

Current owner Declan Walsh wrote: “We need a minimum of £75,000 urgently to pay off looming debts threatening closure. This is not mismanagement; it's the cumulative effect of economic recovery post-Covid, a soaring cost of living crisis, and declining spend per head.

"If we secure the funds to secure Luna, we'll pay off immediate debts, undertake the necessary building and maintenance work and transition to a CIC (commuinty interest company). This move will reduce overheads, facilitate meaningful fundraising, and make us more eligible for grants.”

If the venue doesn't raise its target by April 5, all money will be returned to donors. Nearly £9,000 has been raised to far and you can donate online.

The Post Bar

The Post Bar in Tottenham needs to raise £30,000 to ensure its future.

Housed in a former post office and estate agent on the high road in Tottenham, The Post serves as a community space with a special focus on live music. Since opening in 2018, the venue has hosted more than 200 events each year.

On a crowdfunding page owners Camilo and Michela wrote: “The past year presented significant challenges, with over 120 grassroots music venues shutting in the UK alone. We're in solidarity with our peers across the grassroots sector, grappling with escalating energy and supplier costs, burdensome VAT, and soaring rents. 

“The London hospitality scene, in particular, is feeling the strain from these mounting challenges and the relentless surge in supplier expenses. Despite the challenges and sometimes wondering how we can keep going, our commitment to live music is still there. We just need some help.

“We have to keep The Post Bar going but we worry if our fundraiser isn't successful we will forever more be on the back foot and we won't be able to support the business and close the doors entirely.”

If the venue does not raise its £30,000 target by April 24 all money will be returned to the donors. Nearly £14,000 has been raised so far and you can donate via the Crowdfunder.