Everywhere At Once: Nationwide Festival Brings Live Music to UK During Glastonbury Gap

On a weekend that normally reverberates with the roar of the world’s largest open‑air festival, a different kind of music boom is set to shake the country. The Music Venue Trust, backed by the National Lottery, has unveiled Everywhere At Once – a three‑day tour of grassroots live music that will fill the void left by Glastonbury’s one‑year hiatus.

From 26 to 28 June, the festival will map itself across hundreds of independent clubs, warehouses and bars, staging more than 2,000 performances. The line‑up spans the spectrum: pop singer Becky Hill, hip‑hop duo Rizzle Kicks, post‑punk stalwart Inspiral Carpets, the satirical band Divine Comedy, and indie newcomers The Lathums, among others.

Opening day will kick off with a 60‑seat DJ set by Fatboy Slim at Brighton’s Pipeline, followed by grime pioneer D Double E’s warehouse show at Nottingham’s Brickworks. In Worcester, Hill will preview tracks from her forthcoming album, Rebecca, at Marrs Bar. Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze will perform aboard the floating arts centre Theatreship in Canary Wharf, while Tinie Tempah’s M25 tour will take him to Newcastle, Norwich and Southampton.

The initiative was born to replace the energy Glastonbury normally delivers and to spotlight the importance of local venues at a time when the sector is under siege. The Music Venue Trust reports that 37 % of UK clubs have closed since the pandemic, and more than half of those that remain operated at a loss last year. The Trust also cites changes to national insurance and business rates that cost the live‑music industry 6,000 jobs.

Artists are backing the cause. Harry Styles has pledged £1 from every ticket sold for his 12‑night residency at Wembley Stadium to the Trust, a contribution that has already raised over £900,000. Wolf Alice has made a similar promise during their recent tour, noting that “small venues were a huge, formative part of our journey.” The money will help venues and young performers who struggle to cover touring costs.

Local governments are stepping in as well. In Halifax, proceeds from shows at the outdoor Piece Hall – which can hold up to 6,000 people – subsidise five smaller venues. Liverpool city council offers grants of up to £3,000 to venues with a capacity of less than 30. In London, the O2 and the Royal Albert Hall donate a portion of ticket sales to the Trust.

Yet many venues still face regulatory hurdles. Rising operating costs, stringent noise regulations and early curfews bite hard. Sacha Lord, founder of the Warehouse Project, has criticised local authorities for limiting operating hours and outdoor seating. Glenn Tilbrook has called for legislative protection, suggesting a VAT cut or other measures to keep low‑budget venues viable.

Everywhere At Once’s programme deliberately showcases the diversity of the UK live‑music scene. From Fatboy Slim’s exclusive set in a 60‑seat venue to D Double E’s warehouse performance, the line‑up demonstrates how artists can thrive in intimate settings.

The festival will run from 26 to 28 June 2026, with venues listed on the festival’s website. Supported by the National Lottery, it aims to bring live music to communities across the country while highlighting the vital role of grassroots venues.

Success will hinge on continued backing from artists, venues and local authorities. As the live‑music sector grapples with financial and regulatory pressures, the event represents a coordinated effort to preserve the cultural and economic value of small venues across the UK.