Know where your money goes: music venues

Sadly, many music and arts venues are struggling. Particularly small and grassroots venues, which are imperative to bringing music to towns and cities not visited by significant tours. The Music Fans’ Voice Survey found that 58% of participants had experienced the closure of a locally significant music venue or nightclub in their community since 2020.  

If you bank with Triodos Bank in the UK or Europe, here are some of the music venues and projects your money has helped to support.  

Komedia, Bath  

Komedia offers a varied programme of comedy, music and cabaret. A Triodos Bank UK loan helped with the conversion and refurbishment of the Beau Nash Picture House in Bath, and Triodos supported the organisation to transition into community ownership. 

SouthBank Club, Bristol 

The organisation behind SouthBank (previously the DanceQuarter) has been the driving force behind many important arts initiatives in Bristol including the first Harbourside Festival Dance Stage. It has acquired the old ‘Holy Cross Club' in Southville, Bristol, to establish the SouthBank Club as a permanent base for its programme of music and dance activities.  

Stoke Canon Inn, Devon 

Residents of Stoke Canon, in Devon, campaigned for eight years to save their village pub. The community were able to purchase the pub using a combination of a community share offer, a grant from The Plunkett Foundation and lending from Triodos Bank UK. The Stoke Cannon Inn – now fully community run and staffed by volunteers – is an essential meeting place for people within the village, and hosts a packed programme of regular events, from a book club to live music.   

Darbar Arts Culture & Heritage Trust 

Since 2007, the Darbar have been celebrating and championing Indian classical music in London. Collaborating closely with talented musicians and creative practitioners, the Trust is dedicated to working with Asian communities and young people to create new generations of musicians while preserving centuries of tradition.  

Aurelia Feria, Gent 

In 2005 Aurélie Dorzée and Tom Theuns converted the space of a houseboat into a small theatre for performances for up to 80 people. They then travel from Paris to Liège to give concerts. Triodos Bank Belgium financed the purchase and outfitting of the boat. 

Elysée Montmartre, Paris  

The Elysée Montmartre is a famous concert hall at the foot of Montmartre. It is the venue where the French Cancan originated. From 1980 to 2011, many great talents performed concerts there. The hall represents a rich French cultural heritage but had to close in 2011 due to a fire - Triodos Bank Belgium is supporting them and has provided co-financing for the renovation of the venue.