Televised Dub… with tracks by… Elastica Dub,Zion Train, Gee Tee, Skapital Sound Manwel T, Muflon Dub Soundsystem, Warrior.Wav, Rastaveli Mc, Dub Healer, 12 Tribes of Mars, Hermit

This podcast is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC-NT-NC-ND 4.0) License

That’s the question at the heart of this episode, as Sean sits down with David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), and musician and former FAC board member Roxanne de Bastion to talk about the newly launched UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT).

In The Mood For Dub… with tracks by… Manwel T, Prince François Far I, ShaYaman, Swanga, Art-X, Dubmatix, Audacious P Dubdaddy, Hermit, Bakû, Stress Assassin, Jah Duder, Badger Bob, Muflon Dub Soundsystem

This podcast is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC-NT-NC-ND 4.0) License

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Omar Lye-Fook, an absolute legend in British soul, about 40 years in the music business and his upcoming ‘Brighter the Days’ tour with MVT and AGMP. They discuss the beauty of intimate shows in grassroots venues (with a special shoutout to Alphabet in Brighton), the power of community and connection when you’re up close with the audience, and the importance of protecting these spaces for generations to come.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 04/02/2026

Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership

Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Wolf Alice won the “Group Of The Year” ward at the BRITS last night. They took the opportunity in their speech to highlight the plight of Grassroots Music Venues. Data from the 2025 MVT Report which you can read HERE.

Links to this story from other sites:

Future Yard CIC is a truly inspirational 280 capacity music venue in Birkenhead, the other side of the River Mersey, from it’s big brother Liverpool. 

Unlike other venues which are managed by 3-5 people, Future Yard has 45 people working to provide services for the local community. But now, it’s full. Demand has outgrown the 280-capacity live room. Shows are oversubscribed. Training programmes are limited by space. So now it’s time for them to start a new phase called Build Our Future.

The crowdfunding campaign will enable the local community to support the construction of a new, indoor venue and 12 flexible studio spaces at our venue on Argyle Street. This expansion will enable Future Yard to host more shows, host higher-profile artists, create more opportunities for emerging talent and expand our training programmes and education work for local people.

They have already secured 97% of  the £3m project which will begin this Spring. This fundraising campaign is looking to raise £150k, of which 50% will support construction costs and 50% will support Future Yard’s Neighbourhood Ticket Scheme, alongside the organisation’s skills and training programme.

If you want to get involved and support the Build Our Future Campaign you only have one month to do so. The crowd funder closes on the 27th March.

Click HERE to support them.

If you want to find out more, there is also a live-recorded interactive podcast recorded in August 2023, featuring Craig Pennington, Founder of Future Yard in conversation with Seva Phillips, Chief Innovation Officer of Arts and Culture Finance at Figurative. You can listen to that below:

You can read more about it that podcast HERE, including a transcript of the audio.

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni Coe is with special guest Steve Tannett, Director of Music Platforms for Marshall Group – they talk about his early relationship with music, both through playing and being in the audience, and the essential role grassroots venues play in shaping careers and culture. They discuss Marshall’s support through Marshall Nights, the power of artist advocacy, and the realities facing venues today, showing why standing with the scene matters for everyone who loves live music.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 04/02/2026

Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership

Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mae Stephens to talk about her upcoming UK tour with Music Venue Trust and her brand new single Blue. This episode was recorded at The Black Prince in Northampton – a grassroots music venue that is close to Mae’s heart. This special conversation explores moving from viral online success to performing live on stage, the thrill of being up close with fans, and the bravery of people showing up solo to share the experience.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 11/02/2026

Get tickets for Mae’s tour: https://bit.ly/m/Mae-Stephens

Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, to break down the latest on Business Rates for grassroots music venues – and how the music industry came together to challenge recent increases. They also cover the progress of key campaigns, such as the grassroots levy, Agent of Change, licensing, and more.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 04/01/2026

Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership

Right Dub… with tracks by… Hummingbird, Rastaveli MC, Dubmatix, Audacious P Dubdaddy Andres Cotter, Eitan Avineri, Manwel T, Ashtech, Art-X, The Roots Addict, Youthie, Charlies Flat, Ash Digs, Springtones, Javinz, Hidden Encampment

This podcast is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC-NT-NC-ND 4.0) License