10:00–10:30

Film: HotWax: Pulling Up The Roots

A journey through England’s live music underbelly, Pulling Up The Roots sees HotWax travel from town to town meeting the people who keep small stages open against the odds. Directed by Jude Harrison, the film celebrates the resilience, passion and creativity that fuel the UK’s grassroots music network.

10:30–11:20

Music Talk: Gary Crosby OBE – The Venues That Changed My Life

MVT invites Dr Gary Crosby OBE to share some of the music that soundtracked his rise as a renowned musician, whilst highlighting the venues that were instrumental to his early career. From Jazz Warriors to founding Tomorrow’s Warriors and Dune Records, the conversation will cover a range of music and venues, and thoughts on the value of these spaces for emerging artists.
Speakers: Gary Crosby OBE (Tomorrow’s Warriors) & Soweto Kinch

11:20–11:50

Film: The South London Scene-not-Scene

Joe Leam & Lou Smith introduce footage shot by Lou of bands that have grown out of the south London scene around The Windmill in Brixton, including The Last Dinner Party & Fat Dog.

11:50–12:40

Panel: Why We Do What We Do: Voices from the Grassroots

Four established Grassroots Music Venue operators share why they’re so dedicated to running their spaces, despite the challenges. The conversation will explore how GMVs act as springboards for future talent, but also why venues that don’t launch the next big thing are equally vital to the ecosystem. What drives people to keep their doors open, night after night, for their communities?
Chair: Mary Otumahana (The RecordShop, London)
Speakers: Dom Frazer (Boileroom, Guildford), Luke Hinton (The Horn, St Albans), Kate Fuller (Electric Ballroom, London), Auro Foxcroft (Village Underground, London)

12:40–13:30

Lunch

13:30–14:20

Panel: Where Movements Grow

An exploration of how Grassroots Music Venues function as hotbeds of movements and scenes as much as places of entertainment. Subcultures need hubs, passionate people gather in places they feel a sense of ownership and belonging. Scenes can’t happen without them, so what does the closure of such venues today mean for the next subculture waiting to form in a room somewhere?
Chair: Mark Davyd (Music Venue Trust)
Speakers: Pauline Forster (The George Tavern, London), Jeremy Pritchard (Everything Everything), Rhoda Dakar, Kapil Seshasayee

14:20–14:40

Film: MVT Origins 1: Brighton

The premiere of the first of a series of films commissioned by MVT. Matt Lucas from Big Orange Media introduces Episode 1: Brighton featuring Fatboy Slim.

14:40–15:30

Panel: Women Who Built the Scene

Four artists/arts leaders from different generations and genres share their views on what Grassroots Music Venues have meant for them personally, and for other women they have encountered along the way. From jazz to folk, electronic dance music and the guitar-based DIY scene, Janine, Iona, Kelly & Janelle will explore GMVs from their point of view.
Chair: Abbie McCarthy (BBC Music Introducing)
Speakers: Janine Irons OBE (Tomorrow’s Warriors), Iona Fyfe, Kelly Lee Owens, Janelle Borg (Ġenn)

15:30–15:50

Film: Newport Calling – A Taster from Black Orchid Films

Nathan Jennings introduces Newport Calling, a musical journey about a perfectly ordinary working class community and their independent journey founding a self-supportive music scene. In 1971 a venue opened in Newport, South Wales, that would etch its way into musical history, whose sounds echoed across the world, the Legendary TJ’s.

15:50–16:40

Music Talk: Uncommon People: the Other Side of 90s Clubbing

How music and comedy of the 90s was formed in three London clubs. Martin Green (Smashing!), Count Indigo (Indigo) and Paul Tunkin (Blow Up) play music and talk about the scene that created Pulp, Blur and Lounge music.
Chair: Jeff Automatic
Speakers: Martin Green (Smashing!), Count Indigo (Indigo), Paul Tunkin (Blow Up)