The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Omar Lye-Fook, an absolute legend in British soul, about 40 years in the music business and his upcoming ‘Brighter the Days’ tour with MVT and AGMP. They discuss the beauty of intimate shows in grassroots venues (with a special shoutout to Alphabet in Brighton), the power of community and connection when you’re up close with the audience, and the importance of protecting these spaces for generations to come.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 04/02/2026

Get tickets for Omar's tour:
https://omarmusic.co.uk/events/

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni Coe is with special guest Steve Tannett, Director of Music Platforms for Marshall Group - they talk about his early relationship with music, both through playing and being in the audience, and the essential role grassroots venues play in shaping careers and culture. They discuss Marshall’s support through Marshall Nights, the power of artist advocacy, and the realities facing venues today, showing why standing with the scene matters for everyone who loves live music.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 04/02/2026

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mae Stephens to talk about her upcoming UK tour with Music Venue Trust and her brand new single Blue. This episode was recorded at The Black Prince in Northampton - a grassroots music venue that is close to Mae's heart. This special conversation explores moving from viral online success to performing live on stage, the thrill of being up close with fans, and the bravery of people showing up solo to share the experience. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 11/02/2026 Get tickets for Mae's tour: https://bit.ly/m/Mae-Stephens Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, to break down the latest on Business Rates for grassroots music venues - and how the music industry came together to challenge recent increases. They also cover the progress of key campaigns, such as the grassroots levy, Agent of Change, licensing, and more. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 04/01/2026 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmer... Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

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*CORRECTION: Blane McNab, Bar and Operations Manager, at The Court House Bangor wrote the report mentioned in this episode on reusable plastic cups*

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni is joined by Charlie and Lala to explore the values that sit at the heart of grassroots music venues. Moving beyond funding and survival, the conversation looks at ethics, care, and culture, from sustainability and access to diversity, transparency, and community impact.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 08/01/2026

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmer...

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this special episode, Toni and Mark unpack the findings of MVT’s brand Annual Report for 2025. They dig into what the data really shows about the state of grassroots music venues across the UK.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 08/01/2026

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, for a reflective conversation about the state of the grassroots music sector at the start of a new year. Looking back to January 2020 and the long period of survival that followed, they explore why 2025 was not the year the sector turned the corner, but why the foundations now feel stronger than they have in years.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 08/01/2026

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode: Toni and Mark Davyd look back on a defining year for the grassroots music ecosystem. From policy battles and frontline crisis support to the rise of community ownership and moments of collective action, they reflect on the pressures, progress, and hard-won victories of the past twelve months. A clear-eyed end of year round-up from Music Venue Trust, closing with thanks to the venues, workers, artists, and audiences who continue to keep the last safe space alive.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 11/12/2025

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show