Independent Venue Week: 'Our gigs are free, it's important just to get people in'

"Grassroots music is not for the money, you have to have a real passion for what you do, but it is very important to us."

Marcin Zachara, general manager of the Jam Factory in Hereford, sums up why so many small venues across the West Midlands are working so hard to inject energy and excitement into the live music scene.

But as Independent Venue Week (IVW) takes place across the country, the celebration of the scene comes against a gloomy backdrop, with new figures showing more than half of small live music venues failed to make a profit last year.

However, it is not all negative, with a Music Venue Trust report showing the number of people attending gigs at a grassroots level rose by 13%, with 21 million fans checking out shows in 2025.

For many live venues their role goes far beyond music, with some also acting as community hubs as well, by running the likes of programmes supporting young and emerging artists.

Some admit though that it often feels like a constant struggle just to survive.

Running a venue "is certainly not easy," said Marcin Zachara, general manager of the Jam Factory in Hereford.

He and the venue's owner Jordan Read had been working to revive a live music scene in the city for a couple of years, putting on music most nights, he said.

About 95% of their gigs they run are for free, he explained, but it was "just important to get people in."

But, he explained they started to see the results of their efforts, with a growth in customers.

"It wasn't an easy road to where we are now," he added, "but we did it, with perseverance".

"Grassroots music is not for the money, you have to have a real passion for what you do, but it is very important to us.

"We try to run the Jam Factory as a business that allows us to support the grassroots music scene."

The charity that runs The Tin in Coventry's Canal Basin, said it had also seen crowds growing and had seen one of its busiest years.

A successful fundraiser has enabled the venue to revamp its exterior, and its rehearsal room and community spaces are also proving busy.

"We've just started doing film nights," said marketing manager Jess Harper, and spaces are also used for dance classes and yoga.

A visit and donation from Ed Sheeran had also boosted its youth band project Live on Stage, she said.

"It helps secondary school-age children form bands, as well as teaching them about the industry and recording."

Grassroots venues were "a huge pipeline," for the music industry, she added.

"It's where all the bands are born, they're really vital for the scene."

Coventry musicians Faith Robertson-Charnley and Joseph Sullivan have been supported by The Tin's programme in forming their indie rock band Permanent Daylight.

They will play on Friday as part of IVW supporting Main Sheriff and alongside Fool & Danger.

The city's music scene was "incredibly supportive," they said.

"There are lots of opportunities at The Tin and other local venues," said Sullivan.

"It is so well-connected and friendly, " added Robertson-Charnley.

"There are lots of great people willing to take the chance on young bands."

It's a sentiment echoed by Sink or Swim Promotions' Joe Colombi, who said the city's music scene was "the strongest it's been in a long time".

Record shop Just Dropped In, in the city's Fargo Village, will also be hosting a series of events for IVW.

"An important thing for us has always been to try and put on shows that may not happen in the city if we don't host them," he said.

"We try to champion artists we really believe in, that our customers would want to come out and see.

"I think the pandemic caused a shift in behaviours from many people, Friday night comes around and it seems so easy to get cosy in pyjamas and watch something on Netflix - but there is still a whole world of amazing live music out there and lots of it is now coming to Coventry.

"I think we've reached a great turning point for music in the city and I think Coventry is once again being placed on the musical map."

IVW is also "incredibly important" for more well-established venues, such as the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath, Birmingham.

Marta del Pino said cost of living rises had put pressure on the whole industry, and the initiative was a chance "to shout about ourselves".

"We're an independent venue year-round, but it's nice to have a week where people talk about it a bit more," she said.

The venue attracts "smaller to mid-gear up and coming bands", she said.

"But every so often artists who are now superstars start their career here. Ed Sheeran played in our smaller room to about 60 people," she explained.

"We have all sorts of artists, you never know what you're going to get."

Scott Evans, owner of the Artisan Tap in Stoke-on-Trent said he and wife Jayne had worked "extremely hard" to help build a reputation for live music, since taking on the venue in 2024.

They usually have at least five acts play a week, but will be running events on all seven days of IVW.

"One advantage is, not only am I the owner but I'm also the promoter, I do all the social media and I'm the sound engineer, and my wife works the bar so that helps in keeping the cost base down," he said.

"It enables us to get away with some gigs that might not be so profitable."

He said it was still "fairly early days" for the venue, but they had previously booked musicians "that are probably now too big to play here".

Offerings this week include John Bramwell from Manchester band I am Kloot and Inspiral Carpets frontman, Tom Hingley.

"We've also got Wrex, who are fairly new," added Evans. "But they're building a massive reputation, and it will be the last time we get to book them before they're on to much bigger venues."

Independent Wolverhampton bar Dive was "made for musicians by a musician," said promotion and marketing manager Gareth Davies.

The community-led offering had "developed a tight-knit community since opening in 2022, and a regular clientele we call our Dive Family," he said.

"We look after each other, and in this day and age it is important to help support one another, and grow our community.

But, he added, "supporting each other only gets you so far without support from council and government".

It was a "constant struggle, day to day, week on week" to survive.

"Venues like Dive are integral to the nurturing of live music and the development of community, especially among the younger, newer up and coming artists and bands," Davies added.

"They need that first venue that gives them that debut gig. It's necessary, and absolutely vital."

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