Milton Keynes City Council is investing £40,000 to boost Milton Keynes’ grassroots music venues and bring fresh energy to the night-time economy. This funding will help create more free gigs, new DJ nights and better platforms for emerging local talent.
The Craufurd Arms (Wolverton), MK11 (Kiln Farm), The Stables (Wavendon) and Unit Nine (Wolverton) will each receive support to grow their event programmes and strengthen opportunities for local artists.
This shows the importance of grassroots venues to the city’s cultural life, especially for young people who want creative experiences close to home. These independent venues nurture new talent, create jobs in the creative industries and keep the MK night-time economy thriving and the council are committed to helping them continue that work.
Here’s how some of the funding will be used:
- The Craufurd Arms will run a series of live showcases, giving local bands the chance to perform on a professional stage and take home high quality recordings and video content.
- MK11 will launch a run of free-entry gigs, helping more people experience live music while ensuring artists are paid fairly.
- Unit Nine will expand its FUTURE SOUNDS events, giving aspiring DJs and producers the chance to play to large crowds and gain experience on a major stage.
Venues were selected using the Music Venues Trust definition of a Grassroots Music Venue, which recognises independent spaces that champion new and emerging talent, reinvest in their communities and operate with limited profit margins while prioritising cultural value.
Photo: The Stables MK
