This past weekend, the Music Venue Trust joined forces with The National Lottery to bring big names to grassroots venues across the UK for the Everywhere At Once festival. Billed as a spiritual successor and “Glastonbury replacement” during Worthy Farm’s 2026 fallow year, the event highlighted the vital role that small, independent stages play in the British cultural landscape.
Artists including Fatboy Slim, Westside Cowboy, Master Peace, and D Double E took to the stages of small venues from June 26-28. The initiative aimed not only to celebrate these iconic spaces but also to shine a necessary light on the continuing financial struggles that threaten their existence.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play huge stages all over the world, but grassroots venues are where it all started for me and where music scenes really begin,” said Fatboy Slim regarding the tour. “Without grassroots venues, independent promoters and local crowds taking a chance on something new, none of this exists. These spaces are vital for culture and for local communities.”
Beyond the performances, the festival served a philanthropic purpose. Audiences were encouraged to support various music charities, with donations set to be distributed to organizations including War Child, Nordoff and Robbins, Help Musicians UK, and the Teenage Cancer Trust. The weekend served as a powerful reminder: if you care about the future of music, you must support your local venues today.