Joesef, Mace The Great And Soak Announced As National Ambassadors
For Independent Venue Week
Friday, 29 October 2021
Written by Laura Johnson
Independent Venue Week have announced their national ambassadors.
Joesef has been named for Scotland, Mace The Great for Wales, and SOAK will represent Northern Ireland. Cardiff's Mace The Great said:
“I am really excited to be Independent Venue Week’s Welsh Ambassador and bring something different to the table, especially music of black origin! Independent venues play a crucial part in this industry, not only for providing a platform for local music creatives but I think it also helps build a wider community within the music scene by bringing people together."
Glasgow native Joesef, "the prince of bedroom pop", also commented: "“It feels class to be the IVW ambassador for Scotland. Independent venues breathe life right into areas like Glasgow, I used to eat chips under the lights of the Barrowlands at Christmas time until I was old enough to go and see the Specials play there myself. My first ever gig was in King Tuts which basically kick started my career, as it has done for many others, and now my name’s on the steps. Independent venues are catalysts for culture within areas that sometimes get left out of the conversation, that’s why when the lights of the Barrowlands were out during the pandemic, everyone felt it a little bit more.”
Singer-songwriter SOAK from Derry added:
“For a relatively small place, the wealth of talent that comes from Northern Ireland is vast and unique. As a teenager I spent most of my time in local independent venues, either playing or watching shows and meeting others who shared my passion for music and creativity. I felt so lucky and safe to have access to those environments, the sense of community and support was always so tangible. Not only did they provide a protected space to develop songwriting and performance, they also offered a nexus for the creative community to exchange ideas and experience.
"When I was fifteen and started ‘chancing my arm’ at the open mic in Bennigan’s, I never anticipated that one day I’d be invited to act as ambassador for IVW in Northern Ireland. It’s an immense privilege to be part of something which was so important in my life, and which highlights the incredible role independent venues play in the cultural, creative and social capital of Northern Ireland."
Earlier this week, Wet Leg were announced as the main ambassadors for the whole event, which will run across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from January 31 to February 6. So far, 121 venues from 66 different villages, towns and cities have already signed up, 89% of which are outside of London, with more to be announced in due course. Head here for more information about IVW.
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