Wealth of UK musicians get behind campaign to save Thekla

Wealth of UK musicians get behind campaign to save Thekla

Posted on: 09 Nov 2017

News broke last week that Thekla, an iconic UK music institution and one of the pillars of Bristol's music scene, is in danger of being closed down if plans for a nearby housing development are approved. Owner Alex Black quickly took to social media to raise awareness with the #SaveThekla campaign, urging musicians, punters and members of the music industry to do all they can to protect the much-loved venue.

 

As locals set about campaigning to block the proposed development, which would see an apartment building constructed straight opposite Thekla, personalities from across the UK music scene have been voicing their support for the venue in the hope that they can prevent it from becoming yet another British grassroots venue closed down for the sake of property development.

 

Bands, singers, DJs and UK festival organisers have been sharing links along with the hashtag #SaveThekla in an effort to push back.

 

Indie band Two Door Cinema Club played their first gig outside of Ireland at Bristol's Thekla

 

Sheffield-based rockers Reverend and the Makers are another prominent UK act to get behind the campaign

 

Indie-pop singer Kate Nash, who has performed in Bristol numerous times, tweeted her support

 

Thekla has regularly hosted DJ sets and electronic music over the years as well as live bands and singers:

 

London-based DJ and producer Artwork has graced Thekla with sets in the past

 

Much-loved Bristolian techno DJ Eats Everything is another artist to join the campaign to save what he describes as a "legendary venue"

 

The campaign has also seen UK music festivals voice their support, with huge online followings that could prove instrumental in getting the public together to prevent Thekla's closure:

 

Boardmasters festival, based in Newquay and attended by over 50,000 people every year, voiced their support online

 

Boomtown Fair attracts huge crowds from the electronic music scene

 

What can you do to support the #SaveThekla campaign?

An online petition has been started on Change.org to gather signatures: add your name to over 4,500 others here. Members of the public can also add their comments to the planning application, so to voice your concerns directly to the Bristol City Council here. 

 

Thekla manager Alex Black also urges concerned members of the public to email their local councillor and MP and ask them to support Thekla in its objection to planning being granted before a proper noise assessment and sound proofing scheme is assessed and proved to be sufficient for the residents and Thekla to co-exist.

Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.