'The model in question will serve as a platform for exhibiting local music talent'
In the wake of a challenging year for the live music industry, Si Blatchly, the driving force behind the popular Chai Wallahs touring festival stage, is proposing a new model for the future of live music events. This innovative approach is encapsulated in Grassroots Rising, a Community Benefit Society (CBS) venture billed as a 'festival of festivals'.
Grassroots Rising, set to launch in August 2025, aims to put power back in the hands of independents and make live music more affordable. The venture is a response to the unprecedented strains and challenges that the UK music scene has faced, resulting in the loss of 78 music festivals in 2024.
Blatchly, who remains passionate about creating moments that produce a buzz and evolve people’s souls through music, believes that Grassroots Rising can serve as a blueprint for the future. The model is a collaboration between independent festivals, venues, and promoters, making it a unique and inclusive platform for artists and music lovers alike.
One such artist who has benefited from Blatchly's commitment to supporting unsupported artists is Luke Potter, a singer-songwriter. Potter credits Chai Wallahs for saving his life on more than one occasion and supporting his band for 10 years. Chai Wallahs, a staple at festivals across the UK since 2007, offers a solace and discovery away from the hustle and bustle of busy main stages, aiming to open people's minds up to the talent at the lower levels and encourage them to engage with new music.
If successful, Grassroots Rising will take place in June 2026 in Cambridgeshire. The goal is to create a festival that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of the grassroots music scene, providing a professional platform, great sound, hospitality, and a nice venue for artists.
The Community Benefit Society founded by Blatchly and others to address challenges in the live music sector is called The Live Music Society. In 2024, the group held a collaborative event over a weekend in Cambridgeshire, marking a significant step towards the realisation of Grassroots Rising.
The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, a group of students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, performed on the Chai Wallahs stage for the first time, demonstrating the wide-ranging appeal of this grassroots approach to live music.
For Blatchly, music is a universal language that can express much, serve as a form of communication and education, and provide immense joy. He believes that Grassroots Rising can be a beacon of hope for the live music industry, fostering a sense of community and nurturing the talent of tomorrow.
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