Pub music - The importance of supporting small gigs and artists

Picture this one: it’s Friday night, you’re out having a catch-up with friends.

Later on into the night, some bloke turns up with a rented amp and sets up in the back of the room.

Next thing you know, you’re standing arm-in-arm with your mates, belting Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, Bon Jovi or whoever else - and you’re surrounded by plenty others doing the same.

Everyone’s been out and seen live music before, small artists or large.

This Music News Blitz article by Charlie Gardner contains a little appreciation for those small artists you see down at the local, and explores why live music is just as important now as ever before.

What has pub music done for us anyway?

Small gigs are still important, carrying heavy significance and influence on British pop culture to this day. 

Well, in 2017, music icon Ed Sheeran took the plunge and moved from Suffolk into the bright lights of London, performing at small venues just trying to get his name out there. 

Then there’s Arctic Monkeys, the group of working-class lads who grew to be synonymous with the northern city of Sheffield.

They started out in a pub called The Grapes, where they would be seen handing out free CDs to anyone in the room. 

Coldplay also started with London gigs, with the band's star, Chris Martin, even doing a surprise gig at a Yorkshire pub in August this year.

Oasis also famously honed their craft in the Manchester area, with U2 in Dublin pubs and Pulp also hailing from the Sheffield scene.

Unsurprisingly, the list of bands that started out this way is endless. Sure, these are the big guys, so surely they’d make it big no matter where they started?

Without any pubs or smaller venues, there’s nowhere willing to let them perform in front of crowds and gauge their strengths.

READ MORE: Onesies, profanity and innuendo: Who were Bloodhound Gang?

What’s in it for the audience?

Okay, fine. Anyone would have a good time watching artists like those mentioned above. But how can these gigs be beneficial for communities and the general audience?

Barring classy events, it’s worth acknowledging that first and foremost, this makes live music far more accessible.

People unable to travel the country or pay over-the-odds for tickets on resale are able to engage in such events, listening to music and having an enjoyable time amongst friends.

It gets people out of the house, not just exposing new bands to the world but also people to each other.

Just a tribute band this week? Go ahead and meet someone with a similar taste to you.

Encouraging and promoting social environments like these not only help build new relationships, but also get people out into the world in a way that brings joy, and enhances mental well-being for anyone who wants to hear new stuff, old stuff, or maybe even just have a good dance.

Attending these gigs can also help smaller towns or communities to thrive, attracting crowds to spend money or, at the very least, take some time to visit a local area. 

What does your attendance even do?

Aside from noise complaints and teens trying to get served, one major threat to the whole idea is just cost.

Bars have to pay artists to come; you’d have to be pretty confident in getting picked up by an agent to do it all for free.

The social/nightlife scene has struggled to recover fully since the start of the pandemic, and so supporting businesses with customers’ commitment can seriously help out.

Bars and bands have an almost symbiotic relationship, not just letting artists find exposure but also giving them time to earn a bit of cash, play before energetic crowds or maybe even just facilitating good times for everyone. 

You have to remember: you’re not just supporting a band and cheering them on, you’re supporting people, a business and a community.

If people like it, the bars will book more bands, you get more music, and the local scene gets a bit more money.

ALSO ON MNB: AI-Generated hits: Are we listening to real artists?

Preserving a culture - closing remarks

Remember the first time you heard your favourite song? If you like music, chances are it was a recommendation from a friend or you just heard it one day and wanted to hear it again.

Bands aren’t just about seeking fame; it’s about preserving a culture.

All those groups or artists mentioned before, they probably heard somebody themselves one day and had a good enough time to decide to try it themselves.

Stereophonics, Pulp, Oasis, Blur, The Beatles and so on - these artists are all so influential in British culture today and continue bringing joy way past their heyday.

Britain is renowned worldwide thanks to many of these artists.

Supporting such gigs also supports the roots of the industry, helping people find music and identity in places they’d never expect.

Keep the industry going, and you can contribute to ensuring one of Britain’s most iconic industries stays alive for future generations to discover and innovate for years to come.

Communities and local economies can thrive through supporting artists big and small, so why not at least check one out? 

Next time you see a flyer, a Facebook post, an advertisement - if you find yourself free, go!

You might just find the next big thing. If not, the worst-case scenario is you’ll probably have a pretty decent time.

READ NEXT: How celebrity casting is reshaping modern theatre: Trisha Paytas joins ‘Beetlejuice’