13 July 2023 – At the Full Council meeting of RBC, 12 July 2023, Labour Councillors proposed a motion to engage and develop Rugby’s thriving live music scene.

The motion received unanimous support following a compelling and impassioned maiden speech by Cllr Rob Barnett in which he voiced personal views of several local musicians, across all age ranges and different musical genres. A key message from Cllr Barnett speaking on behalf of the community, is the need to secure sustainable and accessible rehearsal, recording and performance facilities.

Local musicians have been frustrated about the lack of facilities since the closure of Great Central Studios nine years ago. Cllr Barnett described how young people and those on a low income can be squeezed out, he quoted an anonymous student who said “as a growing musician over the past three or four years I felt creatively oppressed because there was nowhere to practice outside my own home. I left Rugby and pursued my love for music elsewhere”.

The problem of a lack of facilities is felt across the musical community. Emma Butler, director at Rugby Music Centre says “we run several weekly rehearsals for musical ensembles including choirs, electric guitar orchestras, folk band, string orchestra and more, leading to an end of term performance. We are trying to find more spaces for our pupils to perform, but we are limited”.

Rugby Labour Councillors have engaged the musical community and we have a vision to turn this around. Many of the artists in Rugby’s current band scene grew to musical maturity through shared experience. Ben Jennings, Community Outreach Officer for St. Andrew’s Church, local events organiser, and musician, says “the music community which existed in and around the Lower Hillmorton road studio gave opportunities, connections, and resources to start bands, make albums, book gigs, meet other people, and sculpt positive futures”.

The approved motion commits the Council to engaging the community that Ben Jennings describes and wider community, to learn from what worked well in the past and understand the current needs and opportunities. Cllr Barnett said “my vision is inclusive. I want the Council to support and enable all ages, capabilities, and genres from underground grime to opera, anything goes. To do that we must listen to what the community needs and invest in space, facilities, and modern technologies”.

Cllr Barnett also made the clear case that this provision is a progressive step in levelling-up opportunities for people within Rugby. A message also articulated by Andy Walker, director of Be Awesome Music, who said “by providing affordable or subsidized rehearsal spaces, the Council can ensure that every young musician, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has an equal chance to pursue their musical dreams. This not only fosters a sense of social equity but also enhances the diversity and richness of our local music culture”.

Cllr Slinger seconded the motion reminding Council of successful musicians from Rugby. Namely Spacemen 3, some of whose member went on to form the multi-million selling Spiritualized and James Morrison who attended Northlands Primary School. Cllr Slinger impressed on the Council how “well-planned action to boost the music scene of Rugby will be a win-win-win-win… Win for musicians. Win for audiences. Win for our night-time economy and venues. Win for Rugby’s renewal and pride in our town.”

This Labour-led campaign to boost the music scene for Rugby, and the rural areas of the Borough, supports delivery of Labour’s manifesto pledge to Renew Rugby Together.

To follow progress with this campaign, follow Rugby Labour Group and Councillor Robert Barnett on social media.·

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