Since the pandemic, both independent music venues and artists have struggled exponentially to make ends meet.
The Music Venue Trust reported that last year, the UK lost a grassroots music venue every fortnight. Rent and utility costs have risen sharply and for smaller venues, making a profit is near-impossible. Venues that rely only on live music have been hit the hardest. As a result, accessibility to local, grassroots music has become restricted and more profitable, large-company-owned club nights dominate. Thus, a vicious cycle of financial struggle for independent venues and artists alike.
In Liverpool
Numerous well-loved grassroots venues are facing financial challenges and sometimes full closure.
In November 2025, The Zanzibar, a pivotal part of Liverpool’s alternative live music scene for the last 35 years, closed its doors. Pub Invest Group owns McNasty’s, a down‑sized replacement. Despite claiming its intention to maintain the building’s musical heritage and provide a platform for local and grassroots artists, the group now own many music venues across Liverpool. In time, they will no doubt own more.
This highlights the increasing difficulty that independent venues face, needing to downsize or sell to larger companies to survive. This not only poses a threat to the livelihoods of those who make a living from independent music, but to the cultural identity of Liverpool as a whole. Where music remains an integral part of the city’s history.
Liverpool’s iconic QUARRY only just avoided closure last year. Through a change of venue, an outpour of support and financial aid from the local community they were able to stay open. A display of the power of collective action in keeping the grassroots music scene alive.
The Good News
The situation, especially in Liverpool, is not entirely bleak. Liverpool City Council and the Music Venue Trust are set to launch The Liverpool Grassroots Music Venues Support Programme, aiming to provide struggling venues in Liverpool with crucial financial support.
This consists of £3,000 grants, aiming to provide “six nights of live music”, as well as business support to help manage financial challenges. Although far from a permanent solution, the grants are a positive indication that local government is beginning to recognise the severity of the problem that grassroots venues are facing.
Independent Venue Week is “the UK’s annual 7-day celebration of independent music and & arts venues and the people that own, run, and work in them”. From the 26th of January to the 1st of February, independent artists and venues of Liverpool are in the spotlight. The Jacaranda, Kazimier Stockroom, and Arts Club are some of the venues central to the celebration.
Liverpool’s cultural heritage is centred around grassroots musicians and venues. Preserving these venues is integral to maintaining the city’s vibrant and progressive identity. Take this Independent Venue Week as a reminder. To not only engage with independent venues and artists this week, but whenever possible.
Help keep the grassroots music scene alive and support those who work within it.
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