'Wolverhampton always seems to do well for bands' - Music venue owners respond to claims that big acts are shunning area
Music venues across Wolverhampton and the surrounding area have spoken of how big acts are still coming in to play shows despite what a recent report says.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
The report by the Music Venue Trust said that venues were closing due to extreme and totally unnecessary financial pressures.
The Music Venue Trust (MVT) said that venues are closing at a lower rate, with 46 settings shutting doors in 2024, when compared to 2023, described as the worst year in decades for the sector.
The MVT reported that a total of 40 venues are also no longer operating as grass roots music spaces, while in 2023, a total of 125 spaces closed or stopped hosting live music, accounting for 16 per cent of grassroots venues.
The report by MVT also found how the impact extended to key British towns and cities such as Wolverhampton, which the MVT identified as no longer key areas where primary and secondary music tours regularly stop.
This has been viewed with surprise by many in the music industry in Wolverhampton, with the Halls Wolverhampton having become a popular venue for some big acts, from Blue holding the first show there to a recent show by Bob Dylan and an upcoming show by Marilyn Manson.
Among venues regularly running music shows in Bilston and Wolverhampton, there was a dim view taken of this news, with The Robin owner Fraser Tranter saying that his venue had never been busier.
