Moles: Bath nightclub where Oasis and Radiohead cut their teeth to shut

One of the well-known grassroots music venues in the UK, Moles in Bath, is set to close its doors after 45 years, marking the end of an era. The club, where acts like Oasis and Ed Sheeran gained early recognition, has played a crucial role in the careers of numerous artists, including Manic Street Preachers and Supergrass.

The owners have filed for insolvency, citing the impact of rising bills amid the cost of living crisis as the reason for closure. Co-owner Tom Maddicot expressed the difficulty of the decision, emphasizing that the economic viability of live music at the grassroots level is increasingly challenging. He cautioned that other small venues may face closure if the situation doesn’t improve.

Moles, which opened in 1977, has been a significant venue hosting early shows for renowned artists such as Blur, The Killers, Pulp, Tori Amos, and many others. The closure adds to the challenges faced by the UK’s live music circuit, with about 120 small venues closing or ceasing gigs this year, resulting in job losses and income decline for musicians.

The Music Venue Trust highlights the urgent need for industry and government investment in grassroots venues. CEO Mark Davyd suggests drawing inspiration from France, where a ticket levy on arena shows supports smaller venues and emerging artists. Davyd has written to the UK government and opposition parties, advocating for similar legislation.

In the face of these challenges, the Music Venue Trust’s “Own Our Venues” initiative encourages fans to invest in threatened venues. The project aims to purchase venues, such as Atherton’s Snug Club, and lease them back to owners on more favorable terms, providing a lifeline for struggling grassroots establishments.