Bush Hall is a fully independent Grassroots music and events venue in grave danger of losing its unique live music facility. Can you help?
by Bush Hall Music Venue in London, Greater London, United Kingdom
The support we have had has been phenomenal and we are hugely appreciative to have reached our target ahead of time!
Any contributions above our original target will go towards further sustaining Bush Hall's musical future, by allowing us to focus on bettering our in house facilities and supporting emerging artists through reigniting our Bush Hall Presents' programming.
Thank you all so much!!
BH Team xx
Running a Grassroots venue in the UK right now is harder than ever, GMVs are currently closing at a rate of two per week (MVT 2023 annual report), 0.5% profits across the sector and 38% of remaining venues reporting a loss of earnings.
Despite our tireless efforts Bush Hall is now in danger of being next.
We have run a completely independent venue, without funded support (except during the pandemic) or external investment, for almost 23 years. It is with heavy hearts, but with a mind to a possible future, we are reaching out to those who love music and enjoy going to intimate gigs for help to keep the live music going.
If Bush Hall loses its music status the loss will impact on local, national and international communities.
We are now approximately 4 months away from making a hideous decision whether to cease live music at the unique treasure that is Bush Hall.
Since the pandemic sustaining live music continues to be incredibly challenging.
The marketplace and audience perspective has dramatically changed, compounded by the cost of living crisis with declining per head spend, spiralling utility and insurance costs. This leaves us with devastatingly low margins across the sector. We are now sitting in the red month on month.
The lack of profitability has caused the immediate, urgent financial situation for Bush Hall. This potentially means that two businesses may be affected: Bush Hall, and our non-profit music school: Music House for Children.
Every penny we have had has been ploughed back into overheads. In April the minimum wage goes up which only raises the burden for hospitality places and will increase our supplier costs yet again with budget increases also expected.
We have always been a rare breed of independent, self-sustainable grassroots music and events venue. We now seriously need funding support and investment, so we can continue our musical journey and not be forced to market during the recent and ongoing recession.
We urgently need £42k to keep us running effectively and keep live music going at Bush Hall.
Breakdown:
In 2001 Bush Hall was restored as a music venue by its current owners, Charlie Raworth and Emma Hutchinson. Formally an Edwardian dance hall, it is a naturally ornate backdrop for performers providing exceptional natural acoustics.
Based in the vibrant heart of West London in Shepherd’s Bush. Bush Hall is an independent music and events venue that has harnessed an international reputation at a grassroots level; supporting emerging artists and showcasing touring musicians & bands from the UK, the US, Europe and beyond. We have hosted some incredible artists since our doors opened, who continue to showcase an album or perform intimate gigs to an international following.
Normally we put on around 140 gigs annually with an average audience attendance of 400 standing and 250 seated per gig, providing up to 45,000 people with phenomenal live music each year. As expected our music programmes are blessed with diversity with a huge variety of different genres performed.
In 2023 we had a 24.5% decrease in live music bookings.
Our historic breakthrough came with REM gracing our stage in 2002. Amy Winehouse followed, with the likes of Florence & The Machine, Toots & the Maytals, Adele, The Killers, Michael Kiwanuka, Alicia Keys, Paul Weller, Nick Cave, Benjamin Clementine, Bombay Bicycle club, Maverick Sabre, PJ Morton, Black Country New Road **
Many of our artists have been starting out or are established artists showcasing albums, as part of their UK tour. We introduced international bands to the UK market with Kings of Leon performing their 1st UK gig with us in 2006.
We host a massive range of music in most genres from across the globe. We have a particular affinity to Country music, Americana, singer songwriters and folk music. Bush Hall wants to be able to continue hosting and promote all the many brilliant musicians who perform here.
While primarily a music venue, we are also proud to host a range of different events, from comedy, dance, cabaret and film/photo shoots. We host private parties, weddings and corporate events which all help us to remain independent, sustainable, and support emerging artists and charitable fundraisers.
Image by We Heart Pictures
We provide ongoing support to our charitable school Music House for Children. They serve the local communities with music tuition for children from 0-17 years old and children with additional needs. We have an ongoing partnership with Burlington House 6th form for students with additional needs, providing career and training opportunities.
Because of our passion for and musical history Bush Hall is now one of London’s iconic grassroots music venues.
Music is the very fabric of what we do creatively with both entertainment and education. We want to continue onwards and upwards!
Please forward this on to the great and good, colleagues, associates and friends who love live music and are passionate about the arts.