Jeremy Corbyn is celebrating a one-year anniversary in April. But of what…?

Jeremy Corbyn will be celebrating a one-year anniversary in April of a project that’s become groundbreaking and important.

Corbyn’s 1st anniversary. Well, not his…

The Peace and Justice Project, founded by Jeremy Corbyn in 2021, launched the Music For The Many campaign in April 2023 to protect grassroots music venues and demand the government creates a support fund to protect the futures of at-risk venues.

In 2022, 22 million people saw live music at grassroots music venues and brought £500m into the UK economy. However, operating costs ran at over £499m, leaving a profit margin of only 0.2%.

The latest annual report from Music Venue Trust suggests that 16% of the UK’s grassroots music venues were lost in the past year, with 125 spaces permanently closing in 2023.

This is unsustainable and has put thousands of jobs under serious threat. So, the Peace and Justice Project and Corbyn are determined to change things with Music For The Many.

In the past year, the campaign his seen numerous gigs – including in Margate, London, and Sheffield.

Now, it’s celebrating its 1st anniversary. The Peace and Justice Project said:

Tickets for the Music For The Many 1st anniversary gig at MOTH Club in London on Monday 15 April are on sale now.

Join Jeremy Corbyn and more for a one night only show featuring headliners DITZ and very special guests Saint Agnes, as well as support from MOSKITO and Gender Crisis.

The first year of this campaign has seen us supporting grassroots music venues up and down the country with exciting shows to amplify our demands for a small ticket levy on corporate sponsors of large music arenas to secure the long-term future of small independent spaces.

Music For The Many

Corbyn said in a statement:

Grassroots music venues are at serious risk. The Music For The Many campaign by the Peace & Justice Project is demanding the creation of a grassroots music venue fund, paid for with a small ticket levy on the corporate sponsors of large arenas, to protect the long-term futures of vital creative spaces in our communities.

Over the last year, our Music For The Many campaign has welcomed the likes of English Teacher, ZAND, Enola Gay and Lambrini Girls to stages up and down the country – and now we are delighted to be joined by DITZ, Saint Agnes, MOSKITO and Gender Crisis at the campaign’s first anniversary show at MOTH Club in April.

These fantastic artists know the importance of grassroots music venues in their journey and how they help others like them navigate the difficulties of the music industry, as well as giving their fans a home and sense of belonging through their art.

Music For The Many campaign organiser Samuel Sweek said:

For decades music has played an important role in building unified communities in the fight against racism, austerity and war. The Music For The Many campaign continues in this tradition by bringing people together to stand up for grassroots music venues in towns and cities up and down the country.

In the past year, it has supported some of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in British music, including musicians from marginalised and under-represented communities, and is totally committed to fighting until this government, or the next, does the right thing and does whatever it takes to save our grassroots music venues.

You can get tickets for Music For The Many at MOTH Club here. Also, you can take action by writing to your MP here.

Feature image via the Peace and Justice Project