Fatboy Slim shares love for grassroots music scene at ‘intimate’ venue
Fatboy Slim Celebrates Grassroots Music Scene at Intimate Brighton Venue
Fatboy Slim shares love for grassroots - On a sweltering Sunday in Brighton, the iconic DJ and producer Fatboy Slim, known to fans as Norman Cook, delivered a performance that resonated deeply with the city’s local music community. The event took place at The Pipeline, a compact venue with a capacity of just 60 people, where the artist emphasized the significance of supporting small-scale music spaces. Describing the gig as “very humbling,” he highlighted the enduring role of grassroots venues in nurturing talent and keeping the spirit of live music alive.
A Festival for Local Sound
The Everywhere At Once festival, which ran over the weekend, aimed to showcase the vibrancy of regional music scenes. Organizers noted that the event, held during what would typically be the Glastonbury Festival period, served as a reminder that live music thrives beyond major festivals and urban centers. This year’s edition featured over 2,000 artists performing across 400 grassroots venues nationwide, creating a network of local cultural experiences.
The Pipeline, located above a bar in Brighton, became a focal point of the festival’s mission. Its owner, Thomas Evrenos, expressed enthusiasm about the event, calling it a “great idea” that elevated the city’s status as a hub for community-driven music. “We usually compete with Glastonbury, and many bands are away during this weekend,” he told the Press Association. “Now, we have a festival that brings everyone together, and it’s a privilege to host such a strong lineup.”
Fatboy Slim’s Message of Gratitude
Before taking the stage, Fatboy Slim shared his thoughts on the importance of smaller venues, a theme that echoed through his set. “These places are where careers start,” he said, reflecting on his own journey. “In the twilight of my career, I want to give something back.” His comments aligned with the festival’s goal of spotlighting venues that often go unnoticed but play a crucial role in the music ecosystem.
“There’s a lot of DJs in my family, we all feel the same, it’s a nice thing to do,” he added. “They are vital for sustaining the culture that keeps music alive.”
The performance itself was a high-energy celebration, with Fatboy Slim’s hits like The Rockafeller Skank and Right Here, Right Now igniting the crowd. Despite the venue’s small size, the atmosphere was electric, as fans danced on cushioned seating and sang along to anthemic tracks. Evrenos noted that the intimate setting allowed for a unique connection between performers and audiences, creating a sense of community that larger festivals often lack.
Preserving the Future of Live Music
The Pipeline’s potential acquisition by Music Venue Properties (MVP), the “National Trust for music venues,” underscores efforts to secure the future of such spaces. MVP’s campaign, Own Our Venues, focuses on maintaining affordable rents, ensuring maintenance, and offering long-term lease security to grassroots sites. This initiative has already secured nine properties since 2022, with £7 million raised through fundraising to date.
Evrenos, who launched The Pipeline nine years ago after losing his banking job in 2008, voiced optimism about the deal. “If MVP takes over, I’ll feel reassured that this space will stay a music venue even after I move on,” he said. “For Brighton as a whole, having a designated live music venue would be a major win.” While acknowledging the ongoing financial challenges, he added, “I’ll still have to pay rent, but having a landlord who understands the value of live music makes all the difference.”
A Star-Studded Lineup for the Community
The festival’s lineup included a mix of established and emerging talents. Alongside Fatboy Slim, acts like Tinie Tempah and Becky Hill graced the stage, while local support came from Jacobi Knight, Fatboy Slim’s daughter Nelly Cook’s partner, and Woody Cook, who joined forces with the hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks. These collaborations underscored the festival’s commitment to fostering connections within the music community.
Evrenos also praised the collaborative spirit of the event, noting that it provided a platform for venues often overshadowed by larger events. “This is a chance for smaller spaces to shine,” he remarked. “It’s not just about the music—it’s about the people who make it possible.” His remarks reflected a broader message from MVP, which emphasizes the need for government intervention to safeguard these spaces.
Grassroots Venues as Cultural Pillars
Mark Davyd, CEO and founder of Music Venue Trust, highlighted the necessity of grassroots venues during the festival’s opening remarks. “These venues are absolutely essential,” he said. “We are a music nation, and we should be demanding more support from the Government.” His comments resonated with attendees, many of whom saw the event as a testament to the resilience of local music culture.
Fatboy Slim’s performance marked the final night of the festival, closing with a reminder of the community’s role in preserving artistic expression. The National Lottery, which backs the initiative, has invested £1.3 billion in music-related projects since 1994, providing a financial foundation for such endeavors. This support is critical, especially as the industry faces challenges from rising costs and shifting audience preferences.
Looking Ahead: A Venue’s Legacy
As the festival drew to a close, the focus remained on the future of The Pipeline. Evrenos, who has been running the venue since its inception, expressed hope that its community-driven ethos would endure. “This place is more than just a venue—it’s a part of Brighton’s identity,” he said. “If it stays in the hands of the community, it will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans.”
With the MVP acquisition looming, the conversation around the venue’s preservation is gaining momentum. The move could ensure its survival in an era where smaller music spaces are increasingly vulnerable to closure. As Evrenos and others in the industry advocate for stronger support, the event served as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of grassroots music venues in shaping the cultural landscape.
Additional Festival Highlights
While the main focus was on Fatboy Slim’s performance, the festival also featured other notable acts. For instance, the event drew attention to the importance of local talent, with smaller venues across the UK hosting diverse lineups. The success of Everywhere At Once underscores a growing movement to highlight the value of community-based music spaces and their role in fostering creativity.
Evrenos’s journey from banking to music exemplifies the personal and cultural investment that often drives grassroots venues. His decision to pivot to the music industry nine years ago, following redundancy, has paid off in creating a space that now attracts major names and local favorites alike. The Pipeline’s story is not just about a venue—it’s about the power of community and the resilience of local culture.
A Call to Action for Music Lovers
The festival’s closing remarks emphasized a call to action for audiences and policymakers alike. “We are a music nation,” Davyd reiterated. “The Government needs to recognize the value of these venues and provide the resources to protect them.” As the sun set on the event, the energy of the crowd and the shared passion for live music painted a picture of a thriving, grassroots movement that continues to inspire.