Irwin Mitchell Supporting Project Aiding Grassroots Venues Struggling During Covid-19

An innovative venture supported by Irwin Mitchell aimed at securing the survival of independent grassroots music venues across the UK has announced the latest artists set to perform gigs in aid of the project.

Launched in August with support from bands including Mercury Prize and Brit Award winners Elbow, Passport: Back to Our Roots has already raised over £75,000 for venues struggling due to Covid-19.

Synth Pop legends, three time Brit Award winners and six time Grammy Award nominees Pet Shop Boys are among the latest big names announced for forthcoming campaigns raising money for grassroots venues together with Brit Award and Ivor Novello Award winning singer –songwriter KT Tunstall, who will play two exclusive gigs – one in her home county of Fife and another in London.

Members of the public who choose to be entered into the draws can win passes for themselves and a guest to one of the five new gigs announced and help to raise much needed funds for those venues struggling to survive post Covid-19 along the way.

A £5 minimum donation will enter fans into the prize draw to win entry for themselves and a guest to their chosen gig. Funds raised will directly support both the individual venue and the Music Venue Trust Crisis Fund, to ensure all threatened grassroots music venues will benefit.

The exclusive performances given by the big name artists in independent venues will take place in 2021, when social distancing rules allow gigs to begin.

The specialist media and entertainment team at Irwin Mitchell is supporting the initiative with contractual, commercial and regulatory legal advice to Inner City Music, the charity behind Band on the Wall who have partnered with the Music Venue Trust to deliver the project.

Expert Opinion

“Passport: Back to Our Roots got off to a fantastic start and now with the support of more incredible artists including KT Tunstall, Passenger, Russell Watson and the UK’s most successful duo in music history, Pet Shop Boys, there is something for everyone in the campaigns which open on 14 September.

“It is no secret that the lockdown, coupled with social distancing rules, have had a devastating impact on music venues. Government support for the culture sector, however welcome, is unlikely to be enough on its own to ensure survival for some of our best loved grassroots venues, making this project an essential tool in ensuring we all have music venues to go back to next year.

“We are proud to be able to support Inner City Music and Band on the Wall with an initiative that will provide vital funds to those in immediate need and champion both the survival and importance of grass roots music.” Laura Harper - Partner

Pet Shop Boys will play the Electric Ballroom, London, while singer-songwriter KT Tunstall is set to appear at The Windmill, Brixton and PJ Molloys in Fife. Other names announced include Passenger, who will play the Komedia, Brighton while tenor Russell Watson will appear at Stoller Hall, Manchester.

Irwin Mitchell’s national media and entertainment team supports businesses and professionals in the creative industries and digital sector and has been shortlisted as a finalist in the UK law firm of the year category at the prestigious Music Week Awards 2020. Earlier this year Irwin Mitchell also donated £5,000 to support AudioActive’s community projects for young people in music.

Passport: Back to Our Roots is produced by registered charity and independent grassroots venue Band on the Wall, the Music Venue Trust and Stephen Budd Music (creator of War Child’s Passport: Back to the Bars & Passport: To BRITs Week series).

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