Enter Shikari: “Show the Tories and landlord c**ts that our culture of live music is not for sale”

nme.com:

Enter Shikari have called for solidarity and progress in securing the future of the UK’s grassroots music venues – urging fans and gig spaces to “show the Tory government and the landlord c**ts that our culture of live music is not for sale”.The band were speaking at last week’s Venues Day held by the Music Venue Trust in London, where they received the Outstanding Contribution Award for donating £1 from every ticket sold on their upcoming UK and Ireland arena tour back to the cause of saving grassroots gig spaces.The news came as it was revealed that the UK is set to lose 10 per cent of its grassroots music venues in 2023 – with calls growing for the “major leagues” of the music industry and larger venues to do more to pay into the ecosystem and save them.Giving the opening speech at Venues Day last week, drummer Rob Rolfe explained how Enter Shikari were “no strangers to grassroots music venues” and were even playing a key role in restoring The Pioneer Club in their hometown of St Albans.“Grassroots venues helped us cut our teeth, hone our craft, meet and be inspired by other musicians, and how to be a proper touring band,” said Rolfe. “It was also the platform to help us reach an audience and build our own fanbase.“It is guaranteed that we would not be where we are today in our career, without grassroots venues – which is why it was a no-brainer for £1 of each ticket from our biggest shows to go to support small venues.

If you ask me, this is something that bigger venues should already be doing anyway.”Rolfe continued: “Grassroots venues are more than just a springboard for artists to go on to bigger things.