Tyneside independent venue raises over £40k for emerging artists in the region
Last updated 12th Mar 2021
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to place strain on the music industry, one independent Tyneside venue has raised over £40,000 for the region’s musicians.
Since May 2020, The Globe in Newcastle city centre has committed to help support the struggling sector with a series of successful live streamed concerts.
Now, as it approaches one year since the beginning of the first UK-wide lockdown, The Globe is celebrating its 100th live stream on Sunday 14th March with a performance from Bossa Trio, an international jazz group from Edinburgh.
The community-owned venue is co-operatively owned and run and has developed its livestream programme during the pandemic. Now, it broadcasts 15 events a month across jazz, folk, rock, classical and spoken word.
Performers and technicians work in a covid-secure environment to deliver its video performances via YouTube. Since the first show in May, The Globe’s livestreams have been viewed by thousands of people in the UK, Europe and further afield.
They have also raised tens of thousands for musicians and other performers who have had their incomes hit drastically by the crisis.
Rob Heron, events manager at The Globe, said: “It’s an incredible achievement for this small music bar in Newcastle to have livestreamed 100 gigs when almost all venues are closed. Musicians are delighted to have the opportunity to play here live and make some money. They are all impressed by the quality of the sound and video. We are now looking ahead to our 200th livestream.”
When the first lockdown started in March 2020, the co-op that owns The Globe involved its members and supporters in developing a plan for the future. There was a strong desire from its volunteers to find a way to provide live music as soon as possible and to make the venue safe for performers and audiences.
The Globe has been refurbished and redecorated, and new sound, light and video equipment has been installed by a team of volunteers. The Globe was fortunate in accessing funding from Power to Change and the Culture Recover Fund.
Dave Parker, co-chair of the co-op that owns The Globe, said: “Our livestreaming is very successful and we will certainly continue it after audiences can return to the venue. We are aiming to provide the best of both worlds.
“The audience seated in the venue gets to see the musicians in an intimate but safe environment, while those who live too far away or who would prefer not to travel receive as close to the live gig experience as can be achieved.”