Venue Trust Announces Austin Alliance

Austin, Texas, has become the first international member of the Music Venue Alliance, an informal grassroots venue association founded in the UK.  

According to a statement by the MVT, the Music Venue Alliance Austin already signed up 30 venues, the names of which were not disclosed. Heading the operation in Austin is Rebecca Reynolds. Reducing liquor taxes is one of the first issues the Music Venue Alliance Austin will focus on.

Said Reynolds: “Here in Austin, we have been following the work of Music Venue Trust and the Music Venues Alliance in the UK with huge interest.The problems they are describing resonated very clearly with us here.

“Although we have our own unique drivers for what threatens the future of Austin music venues, the core challenges are the same; gentrification, rising rents, a lack of cultural acknowledgement and respect for the work they are doing, and a music industry that needs to start backing these spaces if they are to continue to develop new and emerging talent.”

Mark Davyd, founder and CEO of the MVT, added: “Coming shortly after the announcement of Music Venues Alliance Northern Ireland, we are delighted to welcome our first American alliance of venues to our growing network. We firmly believe there is so much to learn from each other in this sector, and the more we can grow it the more strength we can bring to the arguments we are making about grassroots music venues.”

Speaking of MVT, the organization just announced the addition of Lohan Presencer, chairman of the legendary Ministry of Sound, and Sarah Thirtle, head of business lending programmes at funding body Creative United, to its board of trustees.