Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Music Venue Trust (MVT)?

Hi! I’m Oliver Melling and I’m Music Venue Trust’s Scotland Coordinator. I also perform under the moniker Øj as part of We Should Hang Out More, and work for grassroots music venue, Sub Club.  

How would you describe Music Venue Trust to those who are unfamiliar?

Music Venue Trust exists to secure, protect and improve grassroots music venues. It's as simple as that but to do so can often be pretty complex! We work strategically across the UK to help instruct policy at local, regional and national levels and collaborate with other NGO and third sector organisations to provide opportunities for funding, support, training and networking. We also work with industry partners to deliver live shows to our Music Venues Alliance members throughout the year, raising money to provide our ‘Pipeline Investment Fund’ which members can apply to in order to make sound, lighting and structural improvements to their venue. Perhaps our busiest role at the moment is our Emergency Response Service which is available to all music venues, and provides support on issues such as planning applications, noise complaints, financial instability, viability, business structure and so many other areas pertinent to the operation of a grassroots music venue.

What led you to taking on this role?

Funnily enough I was notified of the role by three separate people! For the last few years I’ve been working in tandem between music and the third sector, delivering tuition and program support for Glasgow music charity The Sound Lab so I’ve got a background in advocacy and very much understand the struggles faced by independent operators in the music industry. When this role came up it really did seem a perfect fit and I’ve loved being involved. 

What’s been the proudest moment of your tenure so far?

That’s a tough one because it’s still very much early days so a lot of the bigger projects are still very much ongoing for me. Organisationally it was absolutely inspiring to see the first purchase by Music Venue Properties of The Snug in Atherton. I joined about a week before the conclusion of the #OwnOurVenues fundraising campaign so to see over £2.5 million raised with the aim of community ownership was an incredible way to be introduced to the world of MVT!

In your opinion, why are grassroots music venues so vital?

Grassroots music venues (GMVs) can form the backbone of our social and cultural development as people. Whether it's a transcendental experience in front of the stage, an interesting chat at the bar, being introduced to a like-minded friend, or giving something totally new a chance, all of these experiences can expand your horizons. There are few, if any, other places that are able to provide that as affordably and consistently. They are cultural and economic drivers too. When Music Venue Trust surveyed our network of venues in 2022, we were able to report that the output of our then 960 strong alliance represented 21.9 million individual audience visits, employing over 30,000 people and bringing over £500 million into the British economy. The grassroots music sector represents an economic power and cultural resource both nationally and locally. GMVs provide new and emerging artists and musicians with a space to hone their craft, develop their fanbase and increase access to cultural opportunities for the local community: MVT makes the case to Government and industry that they are the ‘research and development’ arm of the music industry. The fact that our most recent data shows that the total UK figure to have dropped significantly below 900 venues shows the impact this will have in broader terms. Over the past 20 years 35% of GMVs have closed in the UK and this is still ongoing; recently Music Venue Trust reported that the UK has lost 16% of these venues nationally and that continues at an average rate of more than one per week. In Scotland this year 22% of venues have either closed or are in crisis.

What are some of the biggest obstacles faced by Scottish grassroots music venues?

Simply put, with increased energy prices, inflation, disproportionate business rates, the expense of touring for artists, audiences seeing their wages shrink in real terms - the list goes on - they’re struggling to just be viable at the minute. I was showing an MSP around a venue with its operator the other day and they showed him £40 in the businesses bank account with payouts of £55k for the month. It’s a very grim picture.

What is one of your personal favourite independent music venues in Scotland? 

I love so many for so many reasons. I feel very lucky to have been involved with Sub Club for as long as I have, I achieved a dream playing at King Tuts, discovered electronic music in Sneaky Petes, played my first live show in the Liberal Club (Hawick, now sadly gone), saw Phoebe Bridgers in Broadcast, Trapped in Kansas in Drummonds (Aberdeen), Frightened Rabbit in Stereo (Glasgow), Sucioperro in Fury’s (Ayr) - all of these were just unmatched experiences playing in or seeing acts at that primary stage in their development. One of the most important aspects of a GMV is to develop the talent of the future. It’s all very well live music having its ‘most successful year ever’ in terms of raw ticket sales largely to arena and stadium size shows but as things stand, that’s going to have a short shelf life without a healthy ecosystem.

The annual Venues Day is coming up this month. What are you most looking forward to at the event?

The sheer scale of this year's event is breathtaking. Almost 800 delegates! I think that shows a number of things but how much venues need camaraderie at this moment is clear. The panels and workshops the team have put together are really magnificent. An innate understanding of what’s needed right now I think and I really can’t wait to be part of delivering it.

How many Scottish venues are currently part of MVT? And how can others get involved?

There are currently 75 venues in the membership. If any venues would like to get involved they can find out everything they need to know at musicvenuetrust.com. For any venue that’s already aware of us and needs support with any challenge they may be facing right now, please reach us through our Emergency Response Service. We can help before it reaches crisis point and have access to a world of experts in a huge variety of fields. 

Find out more about this year's Venues Day, taking place on Tuesday 17 October at Woolwich Works in London, and MVT at musicvenuetrust.com