New book Sweaty Ceilings aims to document London’s independent venues.
The city is lucky enough to have some incredible music venues, acting as the bedrock of London’s world-leading music scene. They’re under threat, however, with rising energy rates, rents, and more combining create a perfect storm.
New book Sweaty Ceilings will document this fragile live music infrastructure, telling the stories of those on the ground. Spearheaded by multidisciplinary artist and designer Sophie Mo and music manager Tash Cutts, each sale of the book will go towards supporting Music Venue Trust, a UK charity that protects, secures and improves grassroots music venues.
There’s an old saying that it takes a village to craft a project like this, and Sweaty Ceilings benefits from some sterling talent. Design and illustration work comes from Simon Hayes, with Raissa Pardini designing the cover; lavish photography comes from Holly Whitaker, Bridie Cummings, Nicole Osrin, Nina Radel, Alice Backham, Lindsay Melbourne, Tom Ham, Marilena Vlachopoulou, Jake Lewis, Ed Norton, Anna Louise Yorke, Danny North, Beth Knight and more.
Each venue will be profiled in-depth, capturing the people behind the scenes, and those in the crowd. The book will be published by David Dunn of D&B Books and it will feature writing from Robin Murray, Tristan Gatward, John Doran, Stuart Stubbs, Kate Solomon, Jen Long, Will Richards, Luke Cartledge, Rich Thane, Cheri Percy and Gemma Samways.
The foreword comes from The Libertines’ Carl Barât, while Felix White, of the Maccabees and 86TVs has thrown his support behind the book:
“There will never be a better or more important time to document and celebrate independent venues across London. Even reading the list of the featured venues for Sweaty Ceilings is like a flashback of meeting lifelong friends, or seeing all kinds of special bands for the first time. I’m sure every music fan will feel the same.”
Music fans are encouraged to send their favourite venue stories, and photos of any gig memorabilia to [email protected] which will be collated for the book.
Don’t forget – for every copy pre-ordered £5 is also donated to the Music Venue Trust, a UK charity that protects, secures and improves grassroots music venues.
Get involved on the Indiegogo crowdfunder right now.
