British singer/songwriter Tom Grennan has become a patron of Music Venue Trust, a charity that is working to protect, secure and improve the UK’s grassroots music venues (GMVs).
Grennan’s career in music was kickstarted by north London venue, The Finsbury.
In an interview with mobility app Free Now, which has also partnered with MVT to fund gigs at grassroots music venues, Grennan said: “Grassroots venues are so important because if we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t have music.
“Music is still alive and this is why venues like this are so important, because if we didn’t have venues I wouldn’t be about, and I know a lot of others wouldn’t be about. There are so many artists, so many genres of music, so many different people that are wanting or needing to be found.”
Grennan added: “You don’t need to be glued to your phone to try and find the next big thing because, trust me, the next big things are in venues like this. So, get off your phone, go out and watch and listen to live music, and enjoy it.”
Free Now is highlighting the importance of GMVs in its role as sponsor of Mercury Prize music awards. The company has committed to underwriting the costs of one-off shows by future Mercury Prize winners in venues across the UK.
Grennan also recently announced he was keeping ticket prices low for his upcoming 2023 UK arena tour, which has been praised by those in the industry and music fans during the current cost-of-living crisis.