THE MUSIC VENUE TRUST & FAN REPORT

For a decade THE MUSIC VENUE TRUST has supported venues like ourselves with an abundance of resources and support mechanisms.

Without their invaluable help through the COVID CLOSURES we simply would not have made it. Let me make no bones about that.

Yesterday (23 April) I had the pleasure and honour to attend the Scottish MVT day to meet with fellow venues and discuss how things are also with a trip to Holyrood afterwards to ensure the Scottish Government are also reminded how valuable small grassroots venues across the land are to the fabric of Scottish Music as indeed you should know if you are a frequent flyer at Scotland's Longest Running Rock Club.

Whether it's an emerging band, those who are progressing through their original music career making a bigger name for themselves or those fantastic musicians who have chosen to play a variety of covers or tribute to bands/artists they love.

We support them all also provide a safe place for fans to assemble as mirrored in the report to have a close up and personal music experience, rather than a take your binoculars to see the artist stadia event many who seem to break their neck getting tickets well in advance to go at prices that would pay for months if not a years worth of live music nights at the Dreadnought that is sometimes left to the day of the event before grabbing a ticket now.

Lets not gloss over we are a venue that has been at the heart of music in Bathgate for 53 years now and still going strong.

Just because we cater for predominately rock music as you can read in the FANS REPORT BELOW it's actually the HIGHEST SOUGHT AFTER LIVE SHOW AROUND.

Don't take for granted just because it's rocked along for that long it will automatically be there for decades to come. Granted that is the plan but with so many challenges in the last 5 years it's taking everything from me and the team to keep going and massive effort from those who love to come along and rock everytime they can.

I would invite you to READ the latest surveys and reports from the MVT to let you know how HARD it is out there for small venues like ourselves and take in what it means to us and venues like us when you buy your ticket and COME ALONG to what it helps to keep happening week after week right on your doorstep.

There is some hard hitting facts in there that hopefully with open a few eyes and being blunt hopefully change a few minds and hearts along the way that venues like us, granted a small business that has to make a shilling along the way to be there next week, month and years ahead that has been part of the musical experience and culture in the area for so long still needs supporting.

CLICK ON FOR THE FULL SURVEY ON WHAT FANS ARE SAYING.

THE MVT ANNUAL REPORT