The Green Rooms / From More Struggles To Making History

Like many grassroots venues, The Green Rooms really does get kicked when it’s down. But Jonny Foxhall, supporters of TGR and lovers of music keep fighting for it.

Located in South Wales, The Green Rooms were hit by the Government’s decision to cut rate relief for music venues. But only in Wales. This means hundreds of pounds more going out a month for already struggling grassroots music venues, which could have been better spent on improvements and upgrades.

Rent has also been raised to an astronomical amount, and if that was not enough, there is a constant battle with the council, who are refusing to collect recycling. There was no warning or information given when, over night, they changed the rules and just stopped collecting it, leaving a rubbish build up outside the venue.

The Green Rooms, trying to follow ‘their rules’, had to seek out all information being passed around as no one seemed to know what was going on. It turns out the bags changed and now they are not collecting any glass. This largely affected the business in how they operate, and they had to quickly make costly changes.

Dealing with the council seems like a struggle and argumentative process, causing so much more stress, work, and time that could be put into the venue. When the venue is just trying to get by, it begs the question, what is council tax even for? Why set people up to fail?

There is more. Eisteddfod, Wales’ largest cultural festival, is coming to Pontypridd for the first time, just down the road from The Green Rooms. It had been arranged that bands would play at TGR. With very little communication from Eisteddfod, the last time Jonny reached out, they actually answered, simply saying they were going elsewhere now.

To add insult to injury, it turns out that elsewhere is a rugby club, not even another music venue. What a slap in the face. For something that claims to be deeply rooted in Welsh culture, music and poetry, it is sad that they let down a struggling Welsh grassroots music venue.

The Green Rooms is a place that helps local bands and prides itself on being an encouraging creative space. Here, they support new talent and provide music lessons and so much more. To leave TGR high and dry like that, is something Eisteddfod should be ashamed of.

Thankfully, Jonny and promotors such as Upto11, along with supporters of TGR, keep working hard so there’s still a permanent place like this for people to go to, enjoy, be themselves, rehearse, perform, show their talents and have fun as a community.

There have been many highlights at The Green Rooms this year. International Women’s Day Of Rock featured bands with female vocalists and artists, along with dance groups. It was a great celebration of women in this industry.

For the first time, Rock Fit came to TGR and sold out within 24 hours. “Rock out, get fit and have fun.” Liz showed off her fantastic dancing skills to some amazing female artists for us to follow along to. This had everyone’s blood pumping, and they felt energetic and empowered. Thanks Liz!

We also saw the return of the band Continents, which brought plenty of nostalgia to the night for those who started at TGR too. Amongst many happy faces that night was Lucas of Holding Absence enjoying his stag party. Congratulations on the wedding by the way. 

This was a great reminder of why The Greens Rooms is there, what it stands for and always will be, and why we need to keep supporting places like this. 

Young Promotors Network and Youth Music have also held events. All the way from Spain, a talented band called Corrosive blew the roof of the place. There has been a wrestling-themed band, The Small Packages.

This weekend, The Green Rooms is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a mini festival for the first time outdoors, and the response has been very strong.

Bands and artists who have previously performed at The Green Rooms have been invited back to be a part of this incredible weekend for the venue and community.

The excitement is building. We hope people continue to support this grassroots venue and together we can make history. For more details, visit greenroomswales.co.uk.

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