International Women’s Day is a time to show appreciation to all the amazing women around the world. Music Venue Trust have recently launched a new campaign #WomenToTheFront to help highlight the incredible women and female-identifying people who work in the grassroots music sector.

With the hashtag #WomenToTheFront, MVT and music venues from all over the country will be shining a light on the women who are vital to the grassroots music community. When talking about the campaign, Sarah Claudine, Events, Projects & Communications at MVT explains;

“It’s incredibly important to Music Venue Trust to be using International Women’s Day 2021 as an opportunity to celebrate the women who play such an important role in the UK’s Grassroots Music Industry. We are very proud to have so many remarkable women contribute to MVT, from our core team and coordinators to our board of trustees and patrons and know that this diversity is reflective of the changing face of the wider live music community.”

Recently, MVT have announced that six new patrons will be joining them on their journey – all of which are amazing women on the music scene. These wonderful patrons are; rock duo Nova Twins, Welsh post-punk trio Adwaith, DJs Moxie and HAAi, singer-songwriter Kerri Watt, and Director of Mother Artists Live, booking agent Natasha Gregory. When talking about being a patron for Music Venue Trust, singer Kerri Watt shares;

“When I began touring 9 years ago, the industry felt to me like kind of a boys’ club. However, as the years have gone on, I’ve been proud to watch so many wonderful women step into and gain recognition in the live music sector. One of my early gigs was booked after a promoter in Glasgow saw me on YouTube – her support really gave me the courage I needed to pursue music as a career. From tour managers to merchandise sellers, venue owners to sound engineers, and members of my own band, I’ve experienced first-hand the heart and soul that the women in our industry put in to live music. I see my colleagues as role models, giving younger women the confidence to get more involved in live music and work within an industry they’re really passionate about.”

So, who are Music Venue Trust? They are a charity that was created back in 2014 who’s aim is to help protect, secure and improve the UK live music network by securing the long-term future of iconic grassroots music venues. The music venues that they have helped have played a significant role on the music scene. Small venues allow upcoming artists bulid their future. Most of the well-known artists that we all enjoy listening too would have strated out performing at their local venue. With the COVID-19 crisis, these venues have had their struggles more than ever and it is important that, we as music lovers, support them.

For more information about the #WomenToTheFront campaign, and to find out more about what Music Venue Trust do, be sure to visit their website. You can also follow their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to show further support.

Let us know how you will be supporting International Women’s Day over on our Twitter! – @AboutThe_Noise