By Sally Churchward.
“It’s all about solidarity and community.”
Ricky Bates, venue operator and promoter of The Joiners (and the wider Southampton music scene) summed up the feeling in the room at the St Mary’s venue last night.
He was addressing the capacity crowd who had come together to celebrate the legendary Southampton venue’s 57th birthday and the fact that its future is secured thanks to a community ownership scheme run by Music Venue Properties under their Own Our Venues scheme.
It was a night of coming together, celebrating and looking to a brighter and more secure music scene for the city.
The evening boasted a stellar musical line-up. Southampton favourite Sean McGowan headlined, with surprise performances from Sam Duckworth, AKA Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, and Coach Party, alongside crowd-pleasers Strayers and Pegasuses.
There was a friendly, collaborative atmosphere, celebrating the importance of the grass roots music scene.
“Every grass roots music venue plays a part in the eco-system,” said Ricky Bates, namechecking venues including The Hobbit, Heartbreakers and The Engine Rooms.
Later, Sam Duckworth mused on the importance of small venues, beyond simply performing and listening to live music.
“Everything is a battle but in these places you feel safe and strong, and they have to be protected forever,” he said.
“We have to fight to protect the real things in life – community, friendships.”
He linked the importance of grass roots venues to the wider community, stating that it was time to be actively anti-racist, adding “we need to stand up for each other and protect each other.”
Everyone would have had their own highlights of the night, from Pegususes’ stunning harmonies to Strayers’ guitar riffs.
Coach Party proved why they’re ones to watch with a powerful indie-punk performance. The Isle of Wight band ended their energetic set with Girls!, inviting members of the audience to join them on stage, with two of their guests taking the once in a lifetime opportunity to stage-dive into the crowd.
Sean McGowan had the crowd singing along from the outset to songs about how the government and big corporations rip people off, Only Fools and Horses, foreign holidays and more.
He bantered with the crowd, chatting about the venue, his songs and his delight when Joiners legend Pat Muldowney brought him a pint to the stage.
“If you’ve been here before, you know how much this place means to me,” he said, summing up the atmosphere of the night.
The Joiners meant so much to everyone there last night, and to the wider music scene and very community fabric of Southampton. And thanks to donations and Own Our Venues, it’s here to stay.
- In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton
Related stories:
Joiners bought by ‘Own Our Venues’ community ownership scheme
Interview: Ricky Bates of legendary Southampton venue The Joiners