I keep reposting stories about the state of Grassroots Music Venues in the UK, but how are other parts of the world fairing? This report from The Neck (of the Woods) in Aotearoa makes for stark reading.

Neck does not act as a booker/promotor for bands. They charge set venue hire to promoters and creatives to organise their own gigs for their own profit. Neck only makes money from the bar tab. With younger audiences drinking less, this means Neck needs to be increasing yearly revenue by about NZ$100-150k in order to sustainably keep going.

This is a story we’ve heard previously at The Pipeline in Brighton.

What is the solution? Read more below for some possible actions.