Music / idles
Bristol’s independent music venues spotlighted in new Idles video
The Louisiana, Exchange, the Mothers Ruin, the Old Duke and the Trinity Centre are the stars of Idles’ latest music video.
Recorded live for Independent Venue Week, which runs from January 25-31, the band’s video for Carcinogenic is a “thank you to all the houses and communities” that helped to build the band and become what they are today.
“Now more than ever independent musicians and the music industry at large need to unite to keep from being decimated,” says guitarist Mark Bowen.
is needed now More than ever
“Between the pandemic and a government who not only don’t care about the future of the arts (especially independence within the arts) but take a pro-active role in its diminishment, independent venues are at greatest risk because they are mostly small businesses, not interested in profit or investors but in the nourishment of creative, open-minded, critical thinking.”
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to hit the arts and culture sector hard.
While some of the city’s venues were able to secure funding from the Culture Recovery Fund, the impact of coronavirus restrictions continues to hit the scene hard.
Many places have been able adapt during the pandemic but the 10pm curfew and recurring lockdowns have taken their toll.
For its eighth year, Independent Venue Week is being held digitally, with more than 140 virtual events taking place across the country.
The band will also host an Instagram live on the importance of venues and how crucial they were to the growth of the band.
“Independent venues are the fertile soil in which the future of the performing arts will grow,” says Mark, who performs at the Mother’s Ruin in the video.
“They are where your future favourite band will play, where the best song ever written will be tested out, where the new can bud and flourish.
“They are also vital for a sense of community and union, something people sorely need and miss at this time, without them we’re all fucked.”
Main photo: Idles
Read more: Idles and the power of three
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