Why Newbury’s ACE Space is bucking the trend of grassroots music venues closure

With two grassroots music venues closing every month Newbury’s ACE Space is bucking the trend. Stephen Ottner from the management team looks at why.

THERE had been occasional gigs at ACE Space since 2010 but towards the end of 2014 gigs started to appear on a regular monthly basis.

The upcoming gig in April with Damn Tall Buildings from Brooklyn, will be the 100th of the regular gigs.

Quite an achievement at a time when it has been reported that “two grassroots music venues are closing every month”. According to the Music Venues Trust latest annual report, on average, grassroots venues operated on a profit margin of just 0.48 per cent, with an alarming 43.8 per cent of them reporting a loss in the last 12 months.

The type of music offered by ACE Space can be broadly categorised as folk/roots/Americana, with those boundaries occasionally being stretched. It is original music (no covers or tribute bands) from musicians across the British Isles, Europe, America, Canada and Australia with musicians building their career in music as well as others who would normally be seen at larger (more expensive) venues, but choose to play at a more intimate venue to a very appreciative and supportive audience.

In addition to national and internationally acclaimed musicians many local musicians have been part of the ACE Space journey.

The transition from occasional to regular gigs happened by chance rather than design with the Hut People being booked as I was unable to persuade any other local venue to book them.

Around the same time Steve Knightley (half of Show of Hands) was planning his ‘grow your own gig’ tour. Aimed at small venues not usually putting on gigs and providing advice and help in easily putting on a gig. Somehow ACE Space managed to secure one of the limited evenings from over 200 venues who applied.

The gap between the two gigs was filled after a chance encounter with local musician Mark T and a conversation with my accordion teacher, Paul Hutchinson, about his new duo Pagoda Project. A small team of ACE Space trustees and supporters was formed and kept going with one gig per month.

Show of Hands may not be a household name, but they are one of the biggest names in the folk world, having filled the Albert Hallsix times. Both Steve Knightley and duo partner Phil Beer have played ACE Space twice. Last year they decided to call time on touring as Show of Hands and marked it with a farewell tour of more than 70 gigs. As part of the tour, they included a few grass roots venue of the type that they started their career in. ACE Space was delighted to be one of those selected venues.

The hugely popular Track Dogs and award winning Edgelarks have appeared with Show of Hands at the Albert Hall and have also played ACE Space.

The team are also delighted to see bands wo have been to ACE Space being invited to Newbury Spring Festival. Last year The Finn Collinson Band and this year Coracle. With almost 400 talented musicians appearing across the 100 gigs it is difficult to single out particular ones. A full list of those who have appeared can be found on the ACE Space website. The team would love to hear of any particular favourites of Newbury Weekly News readers by email to events@acespce.org.uk

It’s thanks to the volunteer team who organise, promote and run the gigs and to the folks who come along and support the gigs that ACE Space is able to continue to bring quality live music to Newbury.

Which gigs are on offer for the rest of 2025 can be found at www.acespace.org.uk and bands are already booked for most of 2026.