Venues Day 2023: Behind the Scenes

Tuesday 17 October, 10am-6pm
Woolwich Works, London SE18 6HD

The theme for the 9th edition of Venues Day is Behind the Scenes. The business of the music ecosystem is to put on live music, but running a venue involves a huge amount of work that isn’t about putting on the show itself. The 2023 edition will feature opportunities to speak with artists, agents, managers and promoters, as always, but the focus of the day is “the other stuff” – the practicalities of keeping a venue running, making it viable and economically sustainable.

We will pull on the vast experience within the Grassroots Music Venue sector itself – one of the things that MVT is proudest of is the Music Venues Alliance’s peer to peer support – plus offer access to expert advice and tools to take away.

Tickets now available: universe.com/events/venues-day-2023-tickets

 

Schedule

10:00–11:00

Load In

Registration, Coffee & Networking

10:00–18:00

Tech Spec

Visit stands to talk with Venues Day partners

11:00–11:25

Call Sheet

Welcome & intro with special guests Enter Shikari

11:25–12:30

Sound Check

Team MVT presents facts, figures, challenges, advances and announcements: all of the latest information essential to the GMV sector

12:30–13:30

The Rider

Networking lunch

13:30–17:15

5 strands of activity to choose from:

  1. Is My Mic On?
    Discussions, Presentations + Q&As

    13:30-14:15    Your Chance To Be Heard
    Hosted by Steve Lamacq with Dame Caroline Dinenage MP & Kevin Brennan MP
    Your chance to tell MPs from the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee about your experience of the GMV sector as they continue their work with the wider music industry about an economically sustainable future

    14:30-15:15    New People, Fresh Ideas
    Hosted by Mary Otumahana with Sammy Clarke, Elisha Djan, Eilidh Gauld, Abby Moore & Ben Street
    A chance for people who have joined the GMV sector in the last few years to come together and share their ideas about how they can help improve and shape the future

    15:30-15:50    How to Talk to the Media
    With Sue Harris, Republic Media & Megan Merino, The List
    Expert advice for confidently talking to local/national media about your venue’s importance

    16:05-16:25    The Arts Green Book
    With Andrew Wylie, BuroHappold
    Find out more about the free resource that helps you think about your venue’s role in environmental sustainability and offers practical tools which recognise the challenges for our sector

    16:40-17:00    MVT Live Projects
    With Rebecca Walker, MVT
    How the live projects, funded through brand partnerships, are created and managed. Why they are important for the whole network, not just the venues that get a big show

  2. Oh the Glamour!
    Practical workshops about the decidedly non-showbiz side of running a venue

    13:30-14:15    Resources to Help You Run Your Venue
    Hosted by Chris Sherrington & Sophie Asquith with Dean Brocklehurst & Kathryn McShane
    MVT has gathered and created a library of documents, guides, links, training films, templates and advice that any MVA member can access to help with everyday challenges and future development.

    14:30-15:15    Organisational Structures Matter
    Hosted by Matt Otridge & Clara Cullen with Rachael Flaszczk & Chris Weymss
    One of the main things MVT has learned over the past 9 years is that the structure of your business/organisation is vitally important because it determines many of the services that you may be able to access. Learn more about how MVT can support you to choose the right structure for your venue and make the change.

    15:30-16:15    Dealing with the Planning Process
    Hosted by Clara Cullen & Jay Taylor with Danny Kituno & Fiona Ellis
    Grappling with the planning process has been an ongoing theme for GMVs for many years. In association with the Greater Manchester Music Commission, MVT has developed a best practice guide to help prepare you and assist you to respond effectively and minimise the threat to your venue.

    16:30-17:15    It’s All About the Money
    Hosted by Tom Maddicott & Aled Owens with Lara Coker & Michael Hilton
    We know that running a GMV is about the music and the people, but managing your finances well will enable you to concentrate more on that. This session will share templates and processes that could help make your life easier and your business more efficient.

  3. It’s not what you know
    Facilitated Networking: 30 minute speed networking sessions, change tables every 5 minutes

    13:30-14:00    Venues + agents, promoters, funders, gurus, other industry professionals
    14:15-14:45    Venues + venues
    15:00-15:30    Venues + agents, promoters, funders, gurus, other industry professionals
    15:45-16:15    Venues + venues
    16:30-17:00    Venues + agents, promoters, funders, gurus, other industry professionals

  4. Tips of the trade
    Delegate Message Board
    Your opportunity to recommend a great service or product to your peers, tell them something you want to share, or ask a question (leaving a number or email for responses)
  5. Tech Spec (updated)
    MVT & partners invite you to learn more about their projects & products for GMVs in a space designed for conversation, with refreshments always available

17:00 – 18:00

The (Liquid) Rider

Return to main space for final session & complimentary drinks from our partners

17:30 – 18:00

Load Out

Your opportunity to feedback to Team MVT about the day, ask us questions & tell us what we have missed

From 18:00

Aftershow

Please join us for drinks in the Workers Bar or go see one of the gigs on offer at venues easily accessible from Woolwich Works

 

Getting To Venues Day 2023: