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Music Venue Trust partners with Free Now to underwrite grassroots gigs

By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 20 July 2022

The Music Venue Trust has announced a new partnership with transport app Free Now, which is also the new headline sponsor of the Mercury Prize. It will see Free Now underwrite the costs of 120 shows by independent artists in 60 venues across the UK.

As part of the initiative, Public Service Broadcasting will play Peckham Audio next month. That band’s J Wilgoose Esq says: “I honestly don’t think Public Service Broadcasting would be a going concern without grassroots venues. Years before our first EP came out I was gigging around London and further afield as a solo act, learning what worked and – more often – what didn’t”.

“If we’re going to continue to have such an extraordinarily successful musical and cultural scene here in the UK – not to mention [one that is] profitable to the Exchequer”, he goes on, “we have to ensure that these venues not only survive but thrive, giving the next generation of musicians and artists the platforms they need to hone their acts and learn their trade”.

Free Now’s Head Of Marketing, Sara De-Velasco, adds: “We are excited to support grassroots venues through our partnership with the Music Venue Trust and as part of our commitment Free Now is proud to sponsor Public Service Broadcasting performing at Peckham Audio”.

“After a challenging two years, we’re joining venues, artists and our amazing local music communities in celebrating the UK’s vibrant and creative music culture”, she goes on. “We’re THRILLED to be supporting these essential, magical places that give rise to the acts we’ll all fall in love with tomorrow; and connecting music enthusiasts of all backgrounds with their passion through fast, flexible and friction free mobility in cities across the UK”.

And finally, MVT CEO Mark Davyd comments: “It’s great to be working with Free Now to be connecting people with their next favourite artist. Music Venue Trust is working hard with venues to identify acts which we know are the next Mercury Prize nominees and give people the chance to experience them early on in their careers in some outstanding venues before they move up to the biggest venues and festivals. It’s great to see this partnership with Free Now kick off with this very special show from a band like Public Service Broadcasting who really epitomise that journey”.

Tickets for the PSB show go on sale tomorrow. Further shows in the series are set to be announced in due course.