Music Venue Trust has announced plans for Fightback 2017, a major fundraising drive in partnership with Pledge Music.
Fightback will launch a series of MVT merchandise and special items, including artist signature T-shirts, VIP Fightback and aftershow tickets, and the chance to own an exclusive, signed Fender Mustang guitar, to support the campaign to protect grassroots music venues.
The six-week campaign concludes on Tuesday, October 17 - following Venues Day 2017 - with a celebratory gig at Camden Electric Ballroom.
“Fightback 2017 is all about artists and fans, because in the end Grassroots Music Venues are all about artists and fans,” said MVT CEO Mark Davyd (pictured). “Fightback 2017 will be working with artists to create something special that fans can own or take part in, with all the proceeds going to support the work of the Emergency Response Team."
The MVT Artists Signature series of T-shirts kicks off with a limited-edition shirt specially designed by Frank Turner. Just 200 shirts are available, featuring a print of handwritten lyrics signed by Turner. More signature shirts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Early Bird Tickets for the Fightback 2017 concert at Camden Electric Ballroom are on sale now, with special VIP and Aftershow tickets also available. And there’s a challenge for brands and companies who want to connect with fans, artists and venues in the grassroots sector; Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship packages for Fightback 2017.
MVT strategic director Beverley Whitrick said: "Between 2007 and 2015, over a third of the UK's Grassroots Music Venues were forced into closure. We were losing twenty venues a year, every year. Music Venue Trust launched our Emergency Response service in 2016 thanks to generous fundraising and support from artists, fans and brands. We promised that Emergency Response would make a real difference. One year later there are the same number of venues open. This isn’t rocket science. We can stop venue closures like The Cellar in Oxford and The Sound Lounge in Tooting, we just need the resources to do it”.
The Trust is keen to hear from more artists who would like to be involved. Contact gary@musicvenuetrust.com
