This Friday marks the start of Liverpool’s first ever Music Month, dedicated to celebrating Liverpool’s music heritage as a UNESCO City of Music.
It comes as part of a continuous attempt to revive Liverpool’s once vibrant grassroots music scene.
Rising costs continue to impact small venues across Merseyside and the UK, and one artist visited Liverpool this month as part of his tour which is attempting to raise money for a charity who support these struggling venues.
Alternative singer-songwriter Charlie Smith embarked on a tour across the UK this April to raise money for the Music Venue Trust and promote grassroots music venues. Charlie said:
“Unfortunately, many of these vital spaces are closing their doors and struggling. That’s why the music venue trust work is so important. If we don’t have grassroots music venues, we won’t have musicians.”
Performing at six UK cities, each show involved support from local artists whom Charlie had reached out to on Facebook.
On 19th April he played at Arts Bar on Hope Street in Liverpool City Centre.
Tour posters with barcodes on on the tables in Arts Bar
Copyright: Megan Thomas
Each table at the venue had a barcode the audience could scan which would take them to a donation page, all of which Charlie is giving to the Music Venue Trust.
When asked why he chose Liverpool as one of his stops, Charlie said: “It’s places I’ve visited, that really stand out to me as great places for music venues.”
“I think the North has a generally quite good scene for independent venues.”
Jay Taylor, Music Venue Trust National Coordinator said: “Artists like Charlie, working grassroots stages night after night, are perfectly paced to understand the pressures facing the UK live music sector, and Music Venue Trust is incredibly grateful when they throw their energies into raising awareness and funds to support venues that provide this crucial platform. Amazing venues like the six that Charlie is touring around as we speak.”
FACTBOX: The Music Venue Trust
The Music Venue Trust are a UK based charity who aim to protect and improve Grassroots Music Venues in the UK.
The charity have been working since 2014 to help secure the futures of struggling small music venues as well as iconic venues like the Hull Adelphi.
One of the main initiatives the charity have fought for over the years is the £1 ticket levy. For artists who agree to it, this involves £1 from the sale of every concert ticket being ‘donated’ to the trust.
- Providing emergency financial support to venues in crisis.
- Lowering venues’ energy costs.
- Creating on-site accommodation in venues to help artists afford to tour.
- Providing venues with high-quality technical equipment.
- Improving backstage areas in small venues to help encourage repeat bookings.
- Helping venues improve their cashflow and reducing financial risk.
A poster at Arts Bar about music
Copyright: Megan Thomas
MVT and Liverpool
In January 2026, Liverpool City Council partnered with the Music Venue Trust to bring a new Grassroots Music Venues support programme to Merseyside, offering grants of up to £3000 to venues across Liverpool.
The initiative was designed to support and strengthen small music venues in Liverpool, marking the start of a year-long celebration of the tenth anniversary of Liverpool’s status as a UNESCO City of Music.
This Friday 1st May is the deadline for core pillar one of the scheme to be delivered. This means that venues who have received the grant will have used their grant money to host new talent, grow audiences, and strengthen Liverpool’s pipeline of emerging artists, with the pillar clause acting as an incentive for venues to host original, Liverpool-based artists.
Why is Liverpool relevant to the fight?
Liverpool has a rich history with music, and in 2015 were designated the title of UNESCO City of Music.
Grassroots Music Venues have always been at the heart of Liverpool’s musical identity, with The Cavern Club being one of the most well-known music venues in the world, of course due to its part to play in the rise and success of The Beatles.
The Beatles statue, Liverpool. Credit: Michelle Ponting
Director of Operations and Music at The Cavern Club Jon Keats said “getting people out to watch an unknown band is a challenge in itself.”
The Cavern Club famously kickstarted the career of The Beatles, and Jon said small venues are “crucial” in aiding the careers of beginning artists:
“Everybody has to start somewhere and as much as you can make music in your bedroom these days on your phone, artists need to learn and hone their craft in front of live audiences – they have to start somewhere.”
In their 2025 report, the Liverpool City Region Music Board reported the loss of 36 venues that hosted live music in Liverpool.
A 2023 analysis by music tech company A2D2 also revealed that grassroots music venues in England’s North West suffered the most that year.
As the Liverpool City Council scheme continues their aid for small venues, hopes of relief and revival for grassroots music in Liverpool continue.