Working with the Music Venue Trust, we discuss the journey back to live music with TW Forum, Ramsgate Music Hall, Revelation Ashford and The Lighthouse

Two years on from the lockdown that shut down music venues across the UK, things are starting to get back to some sort of normality.

But with the help of the Music Venue Trust - a charity that supports the UK’s grassroots music scene and the organisation behind campaigns such as #SaveOurVenues and #ReviveLive - we want to increase audience confidence by talking to some of Kent’s best music venues about what 2022 has in store for them and their customers.

Image - Peter Woolven - Sports Team at TW Forum

JASON DORMON - THE FORUM, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

How have you had to adapt to the Covid situation?

We opened a T-shirt and band merchandise shop immediately, with designs from local graffiti and tattoo artists. We also set up a members’ scheme with various tiers for our audiences, which included perks like ticket/bar discounts, free entry to some gigs, merch and a named brick on the venue’s wall. The community came to our rescue and the willingness to buy merch and their support was overwhelming.

We worked in partnership with the Assembly Hall team to put on socially-distanced shows in their larger-capacity venue. Fine Grind coffee shop also started a pop-up café, which has now led to a permanent spot during the day.

What measures have been put in place to mitigate the risk of Covid entering the venue?

We have installed CO2 monitors to measure the fresh air in the venue and tell us when to increase ventilation if necessary, which is easy to do at The Forum with its large double doors opening onto the garden, together with front and back exits for audiences and performances. We have a new UV-C air-cleaning system that eliminates pathogens in the air through filtration and UV-C light.

We have really pushed the Flow Before You Go and the Be Kind campaigns, which encourage audiences, staff and performers to mitigate the spread of the virus while in the venue through taking LFTs before attending gigs, respecting performance bubbles, wearing masks when mandatory, sanitation stations, reducing capacity numbers and putting up relevant signage.

What did you miss about the live music experience most during lockdown?

The volume and visceral experience of low-end and soaring guitars and the very raw and natural connection that happens between audience and performer when you are in a room together.

Who was the first act to perform at the venue after reopening?

First artist to play was Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls... what an amazing show to start with! Frank had spent most of the lockdown campaigning and raising money for small venues - a very kind and generous artist who performed a live stream for us when lockdown first happened and this raised over 10K: mind-blowing.

ANDRÈ DACK - RAMSGATE MUSIC HALL

How have you had to adapt to the Covid situation?

The first year of Covid was unbelievably tough: half a year of no shows whatsoever and then a winter period where we put on a handful of socially-distanced gigs, which were funded by the Arts Council. In our small little venue, that’s a maximum of 18 people sitting down to watch a gig. It was a welcome return of live music but not nearly the same experience. That was a really bleak year and we got through it with the support of our members and government funding.

Since returning to full capacity last August, I’ve been surprised at how normal it feels to be putting on shows again. Things aren’t normal, obviously, but when you’re in that room soaking up the atmosphere, everything feels peaceful again. I suppose that’s the power of live music: pure release and escapism.

The biggest issues we’re currently facing are cancellations and ticket drop-offs. In December, our average shortfall in attendance was 50%. So if a show sold 100 tickets, roughly 50 people came. That is in no way sustainable and if it continues in the coming months we’ll be in massive trouble. A large portion of income is made through the bar, which is heavily affected by such shortfall.

What measures have been put in place to mitigate the risk of Covid entering the venue?

Fortunately, we already had a unique air-con system that recycles air from outside. Keeping that running during opening hours has helped. We have hand sanitisers stationed on all floors, too. We then operate intense deep-cleaning after shows, which is just good practice anyway. We’ve had minimal cases of Covid among staff and artists following events, which is a good sign.

Who was the first act to perform at the venue after reopening?

Indie pop/rock outfit Sarpa Salpa, and it was so much fun. The week after that we had FEET return, which was a phenomenal gig. Those guys raised some cash for us during lockdown. Absolute heroes.

DAVID HATTON, THE LIGHTHOUSE, DEAL

How have you had to adapt to the Covid situation?

During lockdowns we tried all sorts. We sold beer from our front windows and offered deliveries. We streamed web shows featuring local artists and printed T-shirts. In the summer months of 2020, when indoor performance was not permitted, we bought ourselves a petrol generator and hosted weekly gigs on the green opposite the venue. That particular experience was among our fondest memories since opening The Lighthouse back in 2013.

How have things changed for the venue in the last two years?

It’s hard to know about any long-term effects as it feels like the dust has yet to settle. It’s been a total rollercoaster. We’ve had some unbelievable guidance and support from the Music Venue Trust and Arts Council England. We have also had the chance to redecorate and reorganise the venue – something we’ve never really had the chance to do properly in the eight years since we opened. In many ways it’s actually much closer to the venue we always wanted it to be.

DEBRA MCGEE, REVELATION, ASHFORD

What measures have been put in place to mitigate the risk of Covid entering the venue?

We have temperature checks and sanitising stations and already had a one-way system in place as a condition of our licence, so none of it has felt too onerous for our audience or us.
We’re lucky as being in such a unique space, with vaulted church ceilings, it means we’ve always had great ventilation, which we also need for Covid-safe events. We have an excellent ‘misting’ machine that we use to sanitise the venue before and after shows. Of course, we sanitise mics and have masks/visors-wearing for staff if they choose and advise everyone to do Lateral Flow Tests before coming to the venue. We have our own Covid procedures policy for the venue, which is updated regularly based on government guidance

How have things changed for the venue in the last two years?

Enormously! We were closed for 18 months, which has had a huge impact on us. We were and still are down to a skeleton core paid team as lots of great people left the industry during the many lockdowns and it’s hard trying to replace them. We have a strong group of volunteers, too, and most have returned - without them we wouldn’t be able to manage. Trying to regain and rebuild audiences and confidence is a struggle. Rescheduling dates with promoters, agents and bands has been a challenge, but somehow we’re getting there.

What did you miss about the live music experience most during lockdown?

The whole vibe of being in a venue with people talking, laughing, singing, dancing and enjoying the whole live experience. Seeing our regulars, our staff and our volunteers and welcoming new people to our beautiful space. Their reactions are always a joy!

Who was the first act to perform at the venue after reopening?

The one and only Huey Morgan! Rescheduled three times, but we finally got him back.