Nirvana, NIN, Suede, Oasis. Debut UK Tour Dates; Could They Be Done Today?
An investigation into the grassroots live music scene in the UK.
My findings show upwards of 50% of debut tour dates by these landmark acts would not be possible today by an emerging new band. Conditions in the UK’s grassroots live music industry are detrimental to the broader music ecosystem.
For those close to the issue, it is no secret that the live music circuit for new acts is in crisis in the UK and beyond. This is where superstars of tomorrow develop from; critical for forging experience, developing sounds, building media profile and ultimately a fanbase.
The Music Venue Trust was established to ensure grassroots venues might be saved and protected for communities and the ecosystem of developing artists and bands so they might make a foothold on the touring circuit.
Venues closing have an impact on local communities, local economies, jobs, livelihoods, alongside diminishing opportunities for talented musicians and the music industry itself.
Music Venue Trust patrons include Sir Paul McCartney.
“Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to play in venues of all different shapes and sizes, from tiny clubs to massive stadiums all over the world. Without the grassroots clubs, pubs, and music venues my career could have been very different. If we don’t support live music at this level then the future of music in general is in danger.”
My previous article Vicious: How Streaming Services Reshaped the Music Industry and Artists' Livelihoods found 80% of UK musicians and music creators earn less than £200 a year from music streaming. Its findings concluded the buck stops with labels and streaming services. Firstly, labels must honourably review contract terms, and respectably compensate artists for streaming under license definitions rather than inappropriate sales terms. Secondly and just as importantly, many streaming services must pay better rates - some of the most popular services pay in the lowest half of rankings. Whether either of these critical requirements are carried out remains uncertain.
Most artists in this savage environment need to survive by touring, selling merch and if applicable, hoping for music writers publishing income. New and developing artists are hit most by the combined challenges of today, while heritage acts with significant profiles built in a former age are more weatherproofed by returning audiences and the ability to play larger venues, and price tickets higher.
Let’s test the environment at play.
I’ve researched four classic debut tours from four bands that went on to be hugely commercially successful and culturally impactful from approximately 30 to 35 years ago. Bands that still resonate today. Grassroots venues played a vital part in that rise to success, as they would today. First, we have to assume the acts have the touring funding for today’s environment, many artists do not, but let’s assume they do, with that said would those same venues be open, and if not, would other similar sized venues be available to play in the same locations?
Would these tours even be possible in 2024?
FINDINGS
The greater majority of venues in the UK that were a vital ingredient in founding the careers for these four bands, do not exist today.
Alternative tour routing is possible for the majority of Nirvana and Nine Inch Nails debut UK tour dates, but note these were short tours, occasions where the U.S bands were parachuted in for seven UK dates. Suede and Oasis especially, did far more dates on their debut tours, the impact of venue closures is far more apparent with these larger samples of tour dates.
In some cases, alternative venues in similar locations cannot be found today. Another major impact is venues that do still exist or can be found as replacements, often survive through hosting cover bands and tribute acts, comedy, club nights, and other events for the majority of their business now. Across the UK, even where venues exist, there is a notable drop in the hosting and promoting of new acts. When The Fleece & Firkin in Bristol attempted to axe tribute acts in favour of bringing back more new music, the venue was threatened financially, venue policy reverted back to including the likes of Abba and Queen cover bands.
There is a further impact on the grassroots music scene with the fact University Student Union venues no longer provide a nationwide network for new music touring acts as they once did. Thirty years on, many Student Union venues host considerably less touring bands.
Oasis’s first UK tour, 30 years ago, would be hugely impacted by today’s challenging conditions. Their debut tour activity was extensive. Only 11 of 32 venues survive. Taking possible replacement venues into account in the towns and cities they played in the spring of 1994, very close to 50% of the tour would be at risk, and very likely not possible today. 25% of dates would not be possible at all.
30 years ago today on the 5th of April 1994, Oasis’s date in Dundee would not be possible, it was the same day Kurt Cobain died.
Oasis had played a co-headliner with Whiteout at Tunbridge Wells Forum on 26th March 1994, which thankfully remains open today, but the gig itself still might not be possible in a contemporary setting due to increasing financial constraints. Promoter and Music Venue Trust founder Mark Davyd has commented; “You could not afford to put on a similar show now featuring two new bands. You will definitely lose money. Even with all 250 tickets sold, you'd lose money." At this grassroots level ticket prices and bar takings have not kept up with venue costs, with rent and energy price rises being the most impactful for venue promoters today.
Just 8 of 17 venues on Suede’s debut UK tour survive. Taking replacement venues into account it still leaves 30% of the tour at risk of not being possible under todays’ conditions.
With regard to Nirvana and Nine Inch Nails success, international acts now have higher costs and more red tape post Brexit, many are put off the UK. This has not been factored in this study, but it’s having an impact today.
Only 3 of 7 venues on Nine Inch Nails debut UK tour survive. Included though is their first ever UK date supporting Guns ‘N Roses at Wembley! Remaining dates were on the new band circuit. There are two dates at risk of finding a similar venue in a similar location, leaving them very possibly with only 5 dates if a band attempted the same tour today. With higher costs associated, the whole nationwide tour of key cities could be pulled. Strategic solutions beyond the tour routing might be possible.
Nirvana’s 7 date debut UK tour would be possible, with 5 replacement venue options, as 4 venues are now closed, and the additional one (a student union) does not put on rock bands anymore.
The facts illustrate a crisis in grassroots touring for emerging new acts across the UK. One glimmer of hope is that key hotspots are still thriving beyond London. In Brighton, Southampton, Leeds, and Newcastle for example. Southampton Joiners only survived by promoting larger acts in larger venues away from the new band circuit. Savvy new ventures can keep venues afloat, but often to the detriment of new music and talent. Across the UK the opportunities for emerging acts, and access to new live music by communities of music fans has diminished. The internet in whatever form is never going to make up for that real life experience, the cherished memories forged, the sense of tribe and community, the livelihoods lost, the stark reality of its socio-economic impact and huge repercussions for cultural output.
For those that remain. Support your local venue. Keep music alive.
RESULTS IN FULL
Nirvana 1989.
Nine Inch Nails 1991
Suede 1992
Oasis 1994
Duncan Illing © 2024