Brighton Student Union’s ‘The Venue’: in support of grassroot music
Brighton’s Student Union bar, The Venue, has always been a hub for friends, classmates, and lecturers alike.
As a University of Brighton student, I’ve had four years to get to know this amazing space. The Venue provides a communal space for the journalism and sports journalism masters students to get to know each other over a pint, some fries, and a game of pool. They also hold quiz nights on Tuesdays, sport and society nights on Wednesdays, and offers free live music on some Saturdays throughout the academic year.
On Saturday, 13th December, three sets of artists performed for half hour sets: Sarah Riebau, No Further Services, and Park Crescent.
I spoke to the lead vocalist and guitarist, Sam Cundy, from No Further Services after their set. The Venue was the bands second stop of the night, they played a range of originals as well as some hits from Radiohead and Katie Perry. The student crowd was filled with a range of characters who all came together in singing along to the covers, dancing, and supporting all three acts.
Sam told me that “Students are fantastic to play for. The open-mindedness that university encourages translates well to engagement with new music. Student crowds have been some of the kindest and most engaged audiences we've had, which is really encouraging to a grassroots bands.”
He also reflected on the experience of playing for a student-only audience. “The experience that older audiences bring is invaluable because as a new band, any advice on our performance is essential. However, student audiences are incredibly vibrant and high energy which is always great to have reflected back at you. As the filthy fence-sitter that I am, my perfect audience would be a mix of both!”
For smaller local bands, it's hard to get established and recognised for their work, so playing a small, independent venue like this works perfectly. “Venues throughout the country are deeply struggling. The support that gig spaces like The Venue provide to grassroots bands is absolutely essential to the continued presence of local bands in the community. Without the space to perform their art, bands with incredible talent to offer will never reach the audiences that they deserve to”
“Every time you go to a local gig, the band deeply appreciates it and it is incredibly important to culture and freedom of expression. The creation of art in any form is one of the most important markers of humanity there is.”
The Venue’s promoter Jaime Ivory began working for Brighton’s Student Union(SU) two years ago when he was student, and has been working since then to promote as many local artists as he can. “One of the things I love the most about the gigs at The Venue is the variety of bands that come and perform at our space. As long as you’re able to put on a good show, I’m more than happy to host your band”, Jaime told me.
All profit generated by The Venue is fed directly into the SU’s charitable work for students, which means that every band that performs here, and every audience member that buys a drink is making a direct, positive impact on the lives of Brighton University students.
Any bands who would like to perform at The Venue should contact Jaime on Instagram (jaimeivory.wav) or at jaimeivory.wav@gmail.com.
Written by Isabel Meszaros