Within the last week, the significance of grassroots venues within the music industry has once again been brought to people’s attention. A controversy occurred when Gary Roden ex-CEO of CO-OP Live resigned following his ignorant remarks on grassroots venues. Gary  commented on how smaller venues are poorly ran ignited fury among music lovers, and rightfully so. Mr Roden’s comments highlight bigger venues’ reluctance to support their smaller counterparts.

Places such as The Snug in Atherton play a vital role as pillars within the community, actively supporting the continuation of the local music scene. Serving as a safe space for artists and music fans, alike this venue fosters connections between a diverse community to connect and enjoy music together. The Snug attracts many bands and music lovers into the town establishing itself as the cultural hub of Atherton.

My second visit to the Early Doors Club on Friday proved as spectacular as the first. With performances from the Snug’s own Pete Fitton and rock band Alberta Cross, the night was bound to be a success.

Snug-legend Pete opened the show and stunned the crowd with his melodic tunes on his guitar. The guitarist claimed that playing The Snug was his dream come true to play the venue. It was an honour to hear Pete play who blew me away with his soulful playing of his guitar. I felt myself transported to a dive bar in America in the 1970s, a picture of a Californian desert set against the backdrop. This is what came to my mind. A favourite of mine was his song “Anna” which resonated this image with me but also made me feel a sense of deja vu almost as if I had heard Pete play at another time or place in history.

Taking the stage next was the rock band Alberta Cross delivering a powerful set filled with music that resonated with epic proportions, brimming with emotion and frustration at the current state of the world. Their performance blended a genuine style of rock with the company of the electric and acoustic elements. ‘The Fool I Once Was’ was a song that stood out to me capturing the essence of despair many of us have experienced. The lyric ‘Bring you to your promised land’ evoked Biblical imagery of an unfulfilled promise, a paradise assured now lost.

The Early Doors Club proves time and time again the importance of supporting local venues amongst the proliferation of massive venues across the North-West. The shortcomings of the Co-Op so far have only reinforced the lack of dedication big venues have to cater to the local community and create positive changes within the local music scene. Their primary concern seems to be profit not the love of music. Therefore, it is important to support local establishments that are here for the music. The Snug has created a local legacy and long may it continue!

Please check out the Early Doors Club Below. I have linked their socials and Eventbrite to book tickets to their next event at St George’s Church in Tyldesley with performances from Noel Fraser and Kyle Edge.

https://www.facebook.com/theearlydoorsclub

https://www.instagram.com/theearlydoorsclub/?hl=en-gb