Rod Stewart plays the legend slot on Sunday at the 2025 Glastonbury music Festival in Pilton, Somerset. (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)
Music fans disappointed at not being able to attend – or watch on TV – the Glastonbury Festival this year, as Worthy Farm takes a break from staging the pop extravaganza, are being urged to head out and check out live music this weekend as over 400 venues come together to celebrate Everywhere At Once, the UK’s biggest ever music festival. Big name artists Fatboy Slim, Glenn Tilbrook, Inspiral Carpets and Becky Hill are among those ready to rock the biggest celebration of grassroots live music ever staged in the UK.
The weekend comes as reports from the Association of Independent Festivals revealed how smaller UK weekenders are struggling. Before the pandemic, there were almost 1,000 annual music festivals in the UK, but last year, fewer than 600 took place. Increased prices for supplies, touring equipment and staff have meant that some previously successful events are no longer sustainable, whilst Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran has resulted in festival infrastructure and transport costs soaring by 12.5%. The Express’ Strike A Chord crusade has championed the cause of grassroots venues, partnering with the Music Venue Trust’s calls for a £1 grassroots levy to be placed on all UK arena and stadium shows.
Glen Tilbrook, co-founder of Squeeze (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Becky Hill performs live (Image: Getty Images)
Our campaign is demanding better music education in schools and also safeguarding the talent pipeline to ensure Britain’s world-class music industry continues to thrive.
The Trust says that with no Glastonbury this weekend, it provides the perfect opportunity for people to head out to their local grassroots venue and embrace the festival spirit of discovering new music – or falling back in love with an artist from yesteryear.
Fatboy Slim, said: “I’ve been lucky enough to play huge stages all over the world, but grassroots venues are where it all started for me and where music scenes really begin, where artists learn their craft, where communities form, and where people come together purely for the love of it. Without grassroots venues, independent promoters and local crowds taking a chance on something new, none of this exists.
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Fatboy Slim in concert (Image: Stephen Keable/Shutterstock)
“These spaces are vital for culture and for local communities, so if there’s anything I can do to help shine a light on them and help keep that spirit alive, I’m more than happy to be involved. And if you care about music, go out and support your local venues, buy a ticket, discover somebody new, and be part of keeping those scenes alive.”
More than 2,000 artists will perform across the weekend, representing the full spectrum of the UK’s music scene. From dance and electronic music to indie, rock, grime, pop, jazz, folk, punk, soul and more, Everywhere At Once showcases the extraordinary diversity and creativity thriving in grassroots venues across the country. Supported by the National Lottery, established artists will perform intimate grassroots venue shows alongside emerging local talent and breakthrough new acts, highlighting the vital role these venues play in developing the next generation of British music.
Squeeze frontman Glen Tilbrook will be performing at Theatreship in East London’s Canary Wharf,
He said: “50 years ago, Squeeze started out in the small venues of South East London. Later this year we will be playing our biggest UK tour, including at the O2 Arena across the Thames from the Theatreship. I still go out and play solo shows at grassroots venues, and some of the best nights I’ve ever had playing music have been in tiny rooms packed with people who just love live music”
“These venues don’t just support musicians; they become part of the fabric of local communities. They give people a place to meet, connect and discover something new. We need to cherish them; if we lose them, we lose far more than somewhere to see a band. So show your support for your local venue, you never know where the next great artist, or the next great night, might come from.”
Full details of all gigs, with daily updates, are available at www.everywherefest.com. Follow on socials at @musicvenuetrust /#everywhereatonce