Mumford and Sons musician Ben Lovett opened London’s live music venue Omeara in 2016, seeing acts such as Clean Bandit, Jorja Smith, and Tom Walker take to the stage. Now Omeara, along with many other grassroots venues, are in danger of closing due to coronavirus measures. ‘Save Our Venues’ is a campaign set up by the Music Venue Trust in collaboration with artists and Crowdfunder to support the UK’s music venues.

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Alongside venue founder Ben Lovett and the incredible team that make Omeara the special venue that it is, @maggierogers @theamazons @dermotkennedy and @sonicseagirls show their support, sharing some memories of what the venue means to them… first headline show, first night of their first tour, the first place that showed the power of a British audience… long may it continue! To help raise support and vital funds, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/omeara (link in bio) Omeara x #saveourvenues

A post shared by Omeara (@omearalondon) on May 20, 2020 at 11:26am PDT

Not only will this action help artists and venue owners, but also promoters, chefs, bartenders, and more. Lovett has asked workers from various fields to come together with music fans in saving his beloved Omeara. In a statement on the Crowdfunder page, Lovett wrote that “in an effort to prevent the closure of Omeara and protect the wellbeing of our extended family, as well as ensuring we are still here on the other side of all of this to host artists again,” the venue will be offering experiences, merchandise, and more in exchange for donations.

He explained that “all proceeds will go directly to our staff and artists. Everything above the amount we need will be donated to the Music Venue Trust GMV Crisis Fund.” With rewards ranging from £10 to £25,000, there is plenty of incentive to participate, if not only to save this incredible venue. Fans can purchase clothing, accessories, or beauty products on the lower end of the scale, while for a higher price, they can receive a cocktail masterclass or an annual Omeara ticket pass. View all options here.

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To help raise support and vital funds to protect the wellbeing of Omeara and our staff we’ve reached out to artists, dug into the vault, spoken to everyone from our cocktail makers, suppliers, engineers, chefs and promoters to do what they do best… get creative and think of experiences we can open up to our community to show your support, as well as creating some special moments along the way! So whether it’s buying one of our new limited edition hoodies, coasters carved out of floorboards from the stage, dining experiences from Flat Iron Square, or your very own full take over of the space, every single contribution will make a difference. For more information on how to get involved, head to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/omeara (link in bio). #saveourvenues

A post shared by Omeara (@omearalondon) on May 19, 2020 at 10:40am PDT

With £9,000 already raised for Omeara, Ben Lovett recently opened new venue the Lafayette in a further attempt to keep the music industry open for  emerging artists. The musician himself  began performing around London in small, independent venues which have housed many more popular artists over the years. It is his hope, and the hope of music lovers around the UK, that we can continue to support both smaller artists and venues and appreciate them for their unique, high-quality experiences.

Lovett also showed his love and support for other musicians and record stores by sharing his favourite albums for Off the Record’s ‘Isolation Albums’ on their YouTube channel. His picks included No Doubt, Michael Kiwanuka, and Leiff Vullebekk.

Supported by UK singer-songwriter Frank Turner, the Music Venue Trust has confirmed that, thanks to the help of fans, artists, and staff, 140 venues have been protected from closure due to the coronavirus. The Save Our Venues campaign has raised over £1 million, while their target is £1.5 million, so head to their page to keep donating.

Image Credit: Kalyn Oyer