A campaign to secure the future of Southampton's most iconic music venue has been launched.

The Joiners has helped launch the careers of bands including Oasis, Coldplay, Green Day and the Manic Street Preachers during its illustrious 60 year history, but is now facing an uncertain future as its lease expires. 

It is among seven grassroots venues community benefit society Music Venue Properties (MVP) is hoping to put into community ownership via its Own Our venues fundraising project.

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Speaking for 'The Joiners family', which operates the venue on St Mary's Street, Ricky Bates said: "Despite being an integral part of the U.K. touring circuit and a creative institution for the city of Southampton for almost 60 years, The Joiners is currently facing real uncertainty for its future.

"Our landlord is looking to retire and our lease expires this year, the building itself requires some investment, love and attention now being well over 200 years old, unfortunately it's impossible for us to justify as individuals given the current economic situation.

"We welcome the notion of MVP ownership being the only real solution to securing one of the most important live music venues ever to exist in the UK and with your help to ensure your venue The Joiners is here for another sixty years and beyond! Be part of history and get involved if you can."

(Image: The Joiners) Hosting around 300 events every year, the team at The Joiners is committed to nurturing emerging talent and have a strong community ethos that continues to resonate with both artists and audiences.

The new project aims to remove grassroots venues, including Esquires in Bedford, The Sugarmill in Stoke-on-Trent, The Croft in Bristol, Peggy’s Skylight in Nottingham, The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle and The Pipeline in Brighton as well as The Joiners, from vulnerable commercial leases and place them in community ownership.

It follows the success of a first campaign, in 2023, which raised £2.88 million and secured the future of five other venues. 

MVP is once again calling on music lovers to support the initiative, which runs from today until July 31. More details at musicvenueproperties.com

(Image: The Joiners)