Initiative to encourage new audiences to visit grassroots venues launches

nme.com:

here.IVC is said to be inspired by a wide range of pre-existing community organisations and programmes including The Warren Youth Project in Hull and the Gig Buddies scheme for individuals with learning disabilities.Soundcheck Sessions, where young people aged 14 and older can access a venue before it opens ahead of a live show in order to learn how things work behind the scenes and speak with the crew, artists and industry specialists, has also been a key influence.IVC founder Sybil Bell said: “Independent venues are the absolute heart of the music business, from small villages, to towns and cities, all around the country.

What’s less appreciated, however, is the role they can play as community spaces, where local people can express themselves, try new things or simply come together in person.“From first hand experience, with initiatives like The Warren Youth Project in Hull or our own Soundcheck Sessions and BE, activity like this can have genuinely life-changing outcomes for people, especially those who don’t normally get access to these kinds of opportunities.“Our goal with Independent Venue Community is to harness these individual pockets of brilliance, and to inspire more venues to engage with groups and individuals in their area.

Ultimately, we want to build a national network of engaged local communities, and encourage more music venues to throw their doors open in the day.

By doing this, I believe they can increase and diversify the people coming through their doors and unlock significant hidden value and talent.