Why seed venues are vital to the future of live music

The future of music doesn’t begin in arenas or festivals; it starts somewhere smaller, in seed music venues that give emerging artists their first stages, allowing them to develop their sound and shape the future of live music.

Think about Arctic Monkeys at The Grapes, Amy at Rayners and Oasis at The Boardwalk, every major artist started somewhere, and it wasn’t a stadium. It was in local venues, playing to a handful of people, learning their craft, creating a community around their sound and building their confidence on stage.

These early gigs didn’t happen on grassroots stages or ticketed venues. They happened in the spaces that make up the seed music scene, the bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, and hotels where music truly begins.

Seed venues are the first rung of the live music ladder. They might not have a dedicated gig room or ticket doors, but they’re just as essential.

They are the spaces before grassroots. The seed that grows into something bigger.

Giving artists their first real stage

For emerging artists, seed venues are the spaces to try out original songs, build their setlist, and learn what captivates a crowd. They’re where artists handle requests, adapt to different audiences, and feel what it truly means to perform live.

Without those first stages for artists, there is no future pipeline. Festivals rely on artists who’ve cut their teeth somewhere. Record labels sign artists who’ve built confidence and followings gig by gig. Grassroots venues need acts who know how to handle a stage. 

Seed venues are where that journey begins. They’re the unsung heroes of the music industry.

Sustaining the future of hospitality

Live music helps hospitality spaces flourish, as it creates a better atmosphere, sparks connections, as guests stay longer, spend more and come back sooner.

These venues make local culture accessible, and enable artist to take their first step, test new material, find their audience and start to believe in themselves. 

For many artists, gigging in these spaces offers a sustainable career path without the need to work additional jobs, as they can solely focus on their passion.

GigPig artists, for example, earn an average of £30,816 per year, and 80% say it’s a career worth pursuing.

For venues, live music isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a proven business booster. According to the Live Music Index, venues see a 36% uplift in footfall and a 64% increase in spend per visit when live music is on. That can translate to over £100,000 a year in added revenue for the average bar, pub or club.

GigPig enables venues to effortlessly book their live music, streamline their operations and save costs through the platform, ensuring their spaces deliver memorable experiences that guests will talk about long after the music ends.

This isn’t just a scene. It’s a movement.

Seed Sounds Weekender, where music begins

This September, GigPig is launching the UK’s biggest free live music festival, Seed Sounds Weekender. Taking place from 26 to 28 September, it will bring together thousands of gigs across hundreds of venues for one incredible weekend, celebrating where music begins.

It’s about shining a light on the seed music scene, the venues and artists who keep live music alive in every corner of the country. It’s about strengthening the pipeline, creating sustainable opportunities for artists, and supporting the places that support the future of UK music.

Powered by GigPig, Seed Sounds Weekender is a nationwide spotlight on the artists and venues that keep the future of the UK music scene thriving. 

If you’re an artist or venue ready to join the movement, there’s no better time to book gigs and get gigs with GigPig for Seed Sounds Weekender.

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