When the announcement came that venues Gorilla, The Deaf Institute, The Polar Bear and The Welly were shutting down, four music lovers came together over social media to save them.
On the 16th of July, the announcement rippled through social media, taking many avid gig goers by surprise (us included). Four independent venues that have hosted so much up and coming talent, we’re to close. Katie Macbeth, one of the founding members of The Big Plan, was heartbroken over losing the independent Manchester venues.
“Both venues hold a special place in my heart and the closure left me in tears,” she said. “It was then that I rang Eden (Robinshaw, another member of TBP), we were both stressing over it, and we decided that there must be something we could do to save independent venues from closure.”
After urging for support over social media, they were eagerly joined by Niamh Pillinger and Piran Aston. The four quickly formed ‘The Big Plan project, got their heads stuck in and began planning ways to raise money and attention for the closure of independent spaces.
Within 24 hours, the big plan had gone from four individuals to a project creating a compilation album for different musicians and artists in order to raise money. The reception for the project blew up over social media, with bands such as Swim Deep and Sports Team messaging the team and getting onboard.
“Initially we wanted it to be primarily northern bands but then that shuts off the rest of the country,” said Piran Aston. “We have bands from all over the place involved in this album from multiple genres, established and up and coming. It is a real eclectic mix.”
The Big Plan album is available to purchase and stream on Bandcamp from today onwards for just £5. Consisting of 53 tracks, the compilation album sees many exclusive tracks that listeners won’t find anywhere else. The money raised from sales will be shared towards ‘Help Musicians UK’, ‘Music Venue Trust’ and ‘Save Our Venues’
All those who make a purchase of the album will receive automatic entry into the forthcoming raffle (Every £1 extra above the £5 minimum payment for the album, also counts as 1 extra raffle entry)
Although the two Manchester venues were saved on the 21st of July, that doesn’t mean the end for The Big Plan as they aim to keep creating projects for at risk venues to kee the live music scene alive.
