Norwich music venue installs artist accommodation to tackle high touring costs
With the help of funding from the UK's arena ticket levy, Voodoo Daddy’s has undergone renovations
Norwich live music venue Voodoo Daddy’s has installed artist accommodation as a way to alleviate high touring costs for musicians.
With the help of the UK’s arena ticket levy, which sees £1 from every ticket sold for selected large-scale arena and stadium shows go toward grassroots music venues, the venue was able to undergo renovations.
The London Street venue is the first to fit accommodation for musicians as part of a scheme launched by Music Venue Trust and Volunteer It Yourself, Stay The Night and Feel At Home.
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The scheme aims to support grassroots venues across the UK and the musicians who perform at them, bringing touring costs down by offering a space to rest after shows.
Renovation work began at Voodoo Daddy’s in March to create self-contained accommodation featuring bunkbeds, showering space, washing machines and kitchen facilities. The venue’s manager, Ben Street, tells Mixmag that renovations and safety checks should be complete by the end of summer.
Speaking to the BBC, Street explained: “It's a game changer for us, it puts us on the international scene, it puts us on the A-list of touring around the nation.
“To be able to offer that means it's the difference between not being able to take on a show because the costs on both sides are too much and actually saying let's go ahead and do it.”
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He continued: “Norwich gets forgotten a bit. It's up in the armpit of East Anglia, but actually, we're becoming even more a market for international bands and touring.”
The venue has expanded into a neighbouring building, and was renovated with the help of 21 young people from Norfolk who gained 16 qualifications and skills including carpentry and health & safety, per the BBC.
See a photo of Voodoo Daddy's accommodation space below.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X
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