The recent closure of The Moon, one of Cardiff’s most iconic music venues, has prompted urgent calls to protect the city’s grassroots music scene.
Located on Womanby Street, The Moon shut its doors for the final time in November, marking the latest in a series of closures that have left the city’s live music scene in jeopardy. Other recently closed venues include Gwdihŵ, Buffalo, and 10 Feet Tall.
Cardiff, recognized as the UK’s first “Music City” in 2017, had made strides in preserving its live music venues. The city council has outlined a long-term strategy to support and promote the local music industry. However, the question remains: Is this enough?
Ed Townend, a former promoter and technical manager at The Moon, voiced his concern, stating that the closure is a troubling sign for the city’s music scene. “The future’s pretty bleak,” he said. He added that staff members were not informed about the closure until the very day it happened.
For many, The Moon was a crucial first step into the world of live music. “A lot of people’s first gigs were here, or their first gigs that they put on themselves were here,” Townend recalled. He emphasized the venue’s importance in providing opportunities for emerging artists, saying its closure limits the chances for new talent in Cardiff.
“The Moon was so in touch with the community. Now, that first step is gone,” he said. Townend fears that the lack of such venues makes it harder for young artists to gain a foothold. “You have to make a giant leap to get to where you need to go, which isn’t really possible now.”
The slim profit margins at music venues mean that one bad week or month can be enough to close a venue for good, Townend warned. His concerns about the future of grassroots music in Wales echo a growing fear that not enough safeguards exist to protect such vital spaces.
While Townend tries to remain optimistic, he also recognizes the cynicism that comes with working in the music industry. “It’s about thinking about what more can be done to protect places like these from closing,” he said, stressing the need to preserve spaces for music lovers.
The title of Music City was awarded to Cardiff in 2017 with the goal of protecting grassroots venues and enhancing the city’s cultural and international profile. The city’s efforts culminated in its first-ever Cardiff Music City Festival in 2024, which featured over 200 artists across 25 venues. The festival showcased a wide range of talent, from Welsh folk artist Mari Mathias to Mercury Prize-winning band English Teacher.
In light of recent venue closures, Townend and fellow promoter Christian have proposed a solution: a compulsory donation added to the price of tickets for larger gigs. “If you’re buying tickets for £300 to £400, no one’s going to miss a pound to support a local venue,” Townend said. “With 60,000 people in the stadium, that’s £60,000 for local venues.”
Christian also highlighted the long-term risks, noting, “If all grassroots venues close down, then in years to come there will be no artists to play the stadiums.”
Cardiff City Council acknowledged the critical role of grassroots venues in fostering new talent. A spokesperson pointed out that the Music City strategy aims to support venues and promote music development. However, they also noted the limitations of the council’s ability to save every venue facing financial struggles. “As in any business, customers need to come through the doors in sufficient numbers to ensure viability,” the spokesperson said.
The Welsh Government, meanwhile, recognized the challenges faced by grassroots venues in the current economic climate. Creative Wales continues to work with the Music Venue Trust and a network of venues, studios, and rehearsal spaces to ensure the best possible support for Wales’ music industry.
As Cardiff faces these challenges, the future of its celebrated music scene hangs in the balance. With calls to better protect and sustain grassroots venues, the need for action is more urgent than ever.
The recent closure of The Moon, one of Cardiff’s most iconic music venues, has prompted urgent calls to protect the city’s grassroots music scene.
Located on Womanby Street, The Moon shut its doors for the final time in November, marking the latest in a series of closures that have left the city’s live music scene in jeopardy. Other recently closed venues include Gwdihŵ, Buffalo, and 10 Feet Tall.
Cardiff, recognized as the UK’s first “Music City” in 2017, had made strides in preserving its live music venues. The city council has outlined a long-term strategy to support and promote the local music industry. However, the question remains: Is this enough?
Ed Townend, a former promoter and technical manager at The Moon, voiced his concern, stating that the closure is a troubling sign for the city’s music scene. “The future’s pretty bleak,” he said. He added that staff members were not informed about the closure until the very day it happened.
For many, The Moon was a crucial first step into the world of live music. “A lot of people’s first gigs were here, or their first gigs that they put on themselves were here,” Townend recalled. He emphasized the venue’s importance in providing opportunities for emerging artists, saying its closure limits the chances for new talent in Cardiff.
“The Moon was so in touch with the community. Now, that first step is gone,” he said. Townend fears that the lack of such venues makes it harder for young artists to gain a foothold. “You have to make a giant leap to get to where you need to go, which isn’t really possible now.”
The slim profit margins at music venues mean that one bad week or month can be enough to close a venue for good, Townend warned. His concerns about the future of grassroots music in Wales echo a growing fear that not enough safeguards exist to protect such vital spaces.
While Townend tries to remain optimistic, he also recognizes the cynicism that comes with working in the music industry. “It’s about thinking about what more can be done to protect places like these from closing,” he said, stressing the need to preserve spaces for music lovers.
The title of Music City was awarded to Cardiff in 2017 with the goal of protecting grassroots venues and enhancing the city’s cultural and international profile. The city’s efforts culminated in its first-ever Cardiff Music City Festival in 2024, which featured over 200 artists across 25 venues. The festival showcased a wide range of talent, from Welsh folk artist Mari Mathias to Mercury Prize-winning band English Teacher.
In light of recent venue closures, Townend and fellow promoter Christian have proposed a solution: a compulsory donation added to the price of tickets for larger gigs. “If you’re buying tickets for £300 to £400, no one’s going to miss a pound to support a local venue,” Townend said. “With 60,000 people in the stadium, that’s £60,000 for local venues.”
Christian also highlighted the long-term risks, noting, “If all grassroots venues close down, then in years to come there will be no artists to play the stadiums.”
Cardiff City Council acknowledged the critical role of grassroots venues in fostering new talent. A spokesperson pointed out that the Music City strategy aims to support venues and promote music development. However, they also noted the limitations of the council’s ability to save every venue facing financial struggles. “As in any business, customers need to come through the doors in sufficient numbers to ensure viability,” the spokesperson said.
The Welsh Government, meanwhile, recognized the challenges faced by grassroots venues in the current economic climate. Creative Wales continues to work with the Music Venue Trust and a network of venues, studios, and rehearsal spaces to ensure the best possible support for Wales’ music industry.
As Cardiff faces these challenges, the future of its celebrated music scene hangs in the balance. With calls to better protect and sustain grassroots venues, the need for action is more urgent than ever.
Related topics:
