Matty Healy Backs UK-Wide Festival to Support Small Music Venues and Emerging Artists

Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975, has voiced strong support for local music venues and warned of a potential ‘musical silence’ if small stages disappear. Healy is now an ambassador for the Seed Sounds Weekender, a new UK-wide festival taking place from 26 to 28 September. The event will feature over 2,000 gigs across more than 1,000 pubs, bars, and clubs, celebrating the vital role of these ‘seed venues’ in launching music careers. Healy emphasized the cultural importance of grassroots venues, which have helped artists like Amy Winehouse and Oasis rise to fame. Organised by GigPig, a live music marketplace, the festival aims to formalize these often-overlooked spaces within the broader music economy. Seed venues support over 43,000 musicians and contribute approximately £2.4 billion to the UK economy annually. Despite their impact, most are excluded from proposed levies meant to fund grassroots spaces. The initiative also responds to a recent wave of closures, with over 200 small venues shutting down or ceasing live music in 2023 and 2024. The government has announced the £85m Creative Foundations Fund, but its reach remains limited. GigPig hopes the Weekender will spotlight the critical role of these venues and push for long-term recognition and funding.