Electronic music’s been caught in a strange position – although interest in the UK scene is booming, the infrastructure is facing grave threats.
According to findings from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) late last year, 37 per cent of all clubs across the country permanently shut since March 2020. They shut at an average rate of three clubs a week and 150 per year. Should that continue, clubs will be extinct by the end of 2029.
Kelly Lee Owens has addressed the state of the industry in an appearance as both guest and co-host on the latest episode of BBC Sounds show Sidetracked with Annie and Nick in which they discuss the report.
“What’s worrying is that you’re getting these great stats that [the industry is] growing… but then you’re also hearing of clubs closing,” Grimshaw points out. “So, it’s interesting that it is growing, but then the venues aren’t there or the smaller venues aren’t there.”
Owens agrees, noting that the threat faced by large venues like Fabric in London was a “a wake-up call”. However, she also says that there should be similar outrage for when the “smaller places” which disappear which “people don’t kick up a fuss” about.
“I always think of Depeche Mode, they were on the tube with their synths coming to these small venues,” replies Owens. “I always think like without small venues, you wouldn’t have Depeche Mode, which is a world like not really worth living in!”
She continues: “So I think there’s a responsibility when it comes to everyone – from the booking agents to ticketing companies – they need to be investing back into these venues so that the up-and-coming people have a place to be.
“It’s ultimately like a symbiotic relationship and we need to start viewing and acting in that way towards it.”
