Singer to stream gig from his own home to raise money for under-threat Leeds music venue BOOM

A folk/punk singer song-writer will play a gig from his own home tomorrow night and donate the proceeds to a music venue in Leeds which is fighting to stay open due to the coronavirus pandemic.
By Emma Ryan
Published 20th Jan 2021, 11:45 BST
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Frank Turner, who is originally from Hampshire, will live-stream his 'all-request' solo set - meaning the audience decides what he plays.

The gig will be aired via YouTube and while it is free to watch - he requests that people make donations to BOOM, a grassroots venue based off Mabgate, via its CrowdFunder pageBOOM is one of 30 grassroots venues that has been highlighted by the Music Venue Trust as being in imminent danger of permanent closure during the COVID pandemic. The venue was ineligible for the Cultural Recovery Fund and has had to continuously fundraise just to survive since March 2020.

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Punk music venue Boom Leeds in fight for survival
Frank Turner will play a gig at home for Leeds venue BOOM.Frank Turner will play a gig at home for Leeds venue BOOM.
Frank Turner will play a gig at home for Leeds venue BOOM.
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BOOM also provides the Leeds music scene with permanent rehearsal rooms for bands and recording facilities.

Venue operator Chris Flynn said: "We are very happy that Frank Turner has decided to use his platform to help our venue fundraise and stay afloat during the pandemic. The last time Frank was in Leeds was at the arena performing to thousands of people in 2019. As far as we’re concerned he’s back, albeit digitally to help save a 200 capacity punk rock venue here in Leeds.”

Music Venue Trust is a registered charity, created in January 2014 to protect, secure and improve the UK live music network by securing the long-term future of grassroots music venues.

The trust wants to gain recognition of the essential role these venues fulfil, not only for artist development but also for the cultural and music industries, the economy and local communities. It aims to preserve and improve venues, making them more efficient and improving the experience for performers and audiences.

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The Music Venue Trust added that, long-term, it plans to acquire the freeholds of as many of these vital venues as possible.

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Related topics:LeedsHampshireYouTube

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