What next for the Somerset music venue that hosted Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney

It’s the venue that made international headlines when Foo Fighters arrived for a secret gig in 2017. The Cheese and Grain has enjoyed worldwide attention for attracting famous musicians over the years, with Sir Paul McCartney swinging by for a warm-up gig before his headline set at last year’s Glastonbury Festival.^[1]

But outside of these famous faces, it is a venue that is entrenched in the local Frome^[2] community. The venue employs 60 local people, uses local food suppliers and electricians and strives to be a strong community hub.

It’s also a place where visitors could enjoy a tattoo fair, chocolate shows, enjoy a snack at the Grain Cafe Bar, visit the Barclays pop-up hub or just drop by to watch a Oasis tribute band. Speaking to Somerset Live,^[3] the venue’s director Steve Macarthur shared that the Cheese and Grain is a beloved venue for all.

He said: “We are a number of things. We are a community-based and membership-owned charity and our charitable objectives are to enhance life chances and employment. We provide entertainment and work with musicians, we are providing jobs for the town. We have 60 people on our payroll. We're very serious about training. When I first came here 10 years ago, the best jobs weren’t going to local people.

“We wanted to build the studio to get a new gen of sound engineers and women as they are underrepresented.”

Having survived the Covid pandemic and a cost of living crisis, 2023 saw a record number of gigs and events at the Cheese and Grain as well as record ticket sales. Bosses at the venue say there are more than 200,000 visits a year, with customers coming from across the UK and beyond.

Its new recording studio and the launch of its second venue were widely celebrated as the Cheese and Grain goes from strength to strength. “I think we are a bit of a brand as well as some of our top acts are not on stage but coming into the studio to record”, Steve continued.

“The West Country is amazing for music. The thing about the Cheese and Grain is that we don’t get subsidies or council grants, we stand on our own two feet which is a strength. We are a £2 million business and make a point to buy locally when we can”.

Steve was able to confirm that 2024 will be an action-packed year of events, gigs, shows and more, but unable to tease any news about Glastonbury Festival. He revealed acts from Glastonbury Festival are often booked for the Cheese and Grain at the last minute to ensure there is some secrecy around the performance.

The chance of a Glastonbury performer at the venue means they have to keep evening slots free for a mystery guest - a gamble that can pay off if an act like Sir Paul McCartney rolls into town. He said: “I never thought I’d put on Paul McCartney!

“But there’s a 50/50 chance we’ll get something from Glastonbury. Normally bands are arranged a long time in advance but any Glastonbury acts are confirmed at very short notice.

“I think they generally arrange with the artist at short notice. You really have to ask promoters and Glastonbury organisers what they do as it’s quite stressful for us as we left gaps in the programme.

“We knew we weren’t going to get Elton John. It was a possibility but it wasn’t going to happen.”

Recalling the infamous Foo Fighters gig, Steve recalled: “I do remember when the Foo Fighters came. They were just brilliant. They were really friendly and so professional.

“At the end of the gig, they came to the bar and had drinks with everyone - it was really great.”

There have still been more famous faces at the Cheese and Grain with Joni Mitchell, Robert Plant, Bob Geldof, The Pretenders and Joan Armatrading among those to have performed on the iconic stage.

Beyond the venue’s star appeal, the focus is on improving what they have. Its management has invested more than £1 million over the last 10 years to enhance the venue and want to continue to promote a new generation of musicians, sound engineers and producers.

He said: “We do have plans to expand and improve the backstage, training spaces and music recording spaces. We are looking to create a rehearsal space and an editing suite.

“All we need for that locally is permission from Somerset Council. It will create jobs, promote the local economy and enhance the venue.”

Steve was keen to praise the venue’s loyal customers and regulars who kept them going despite a tricky Covid-19 pandemic and toasted to the venue's future. He said: “The loyalty of the customers and wanting to see those bands and waiting until it was all over. It was loyalty our customer base which was really good and enabled us to survive. “

References

1. ^{^} Glastonbury Festival. (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Frome (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Somerset Live, (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^{^} Glastonbury Festival: Ultra-posh glamping site where celebrities stay reveals prices for 2024 (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Mystery surrounds origin of Somerset 'Curry' village names (www.somersetlive.co.uk)