The Musicians’ Union (MU) is proud to support Independent Venue Week (IVW), a seven-day celebration of small music venues across the UK. To mark IVW’s 5th Birthday, we’re putting the spotlight on independent venues also on our Fair Play Venue list. First up, Mal Campbell from The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire…
Tell us a bit about the venue.
The Trades Club is a socialist members club and music venue - it’s a members co-operative, so jointly owned and democratically controlled.
The latest incarnation of the club began in the early 80s and since that time has put on thousands of shows, fundraisers, benefits, and awareness raising events.
The social activism is just as important as the amazing musicians that play here.
What has been your favourite gig of the last year?
Brutal question… seeing The Orielles sell out the club and then play a riotous show was a highlight, definitely.
But there are so many great shows. Band of Skulls, Richard Hawley, Everything Everything, Hurray For The Riff Riff - I’ll stop now.
What have you got coming up that you’re excited about?
Of the shows I can talk about... Nadine Shah is amazing, she’s been on the wish list for a while.
The Heavenly Weekend with King Gizzard, Gwenno plus a lot of their new signings - that’s going to be exciting.
You’re on the MU Fair Play Venue list. What does being a Fair Play Venue mean to you?
Not ripping off bands. Bands always get paid here, whether they bring 1 person or 100.
However, I would suggest that if they want to get on they need to round up their mates.
It’s always been like that.
I used to go and see Blur (then called Seymour) when they played pubs and they always had their mates from Goldsmiths dancing at the front.
I’m not saying that's how they got their record deal with Food Records, but it certainly helped.
What’s the strangest request you’ve had from an artist?
We enjoy strange requests and don’t get enough.
Lias from The Moonlandingz wanted cheap pâté.
We did wonder why someone would request that.
As it transpired, it was to rub all over his face before going on stage. Of course it was.
Follow the Trades Club on Twitter at @thetradesclub
Check out the full MU Fair Play Venue list or contact your Regional Office for advice and more on our Fair Play scheme.