The Joiners is an iconic grassroots venue nestled in the heart of Southampton’s live music scene. Currently run by Ricky Bates and Pat Muldowney, it’s essentially a pub lying in the middle of St Mary’s street, but what makes this intimate venue stand out is that it has played host to a diverse range of artists who have gone on to make it big including Circa Waves, Arctic Monkeys, Bury Tomorrow, local heroes Creeper, and Enter Shikari.
Although opening as a music venue in 1968, The Joiners got its big break in the 1980’s when Mint Burston, a promoter who had previous success promoting The Smiths, established the venue into one of the leading “toilet circuit” venues, bringing alternative bands on the verge of mainstream success These included Oasis, Radiohead, and Coldplay. It’s an ethos that still firmly exists today, along with the unforgettably sweaty atmosphere that greets you when a band walks onstage.
The community feel that is so prevalent at the Joiners is very strong. It was awarded the Best Small Venue by the NME in 2015, but in August last year, it was threatened with closure due to a lack of funds for repairs. Although initially The Arts Council were due to help, they pulled out because they thought small venues weren’t important.
The Joiners, Southampton
In response to this, Bates set up a Go Fund Me account for fans to donate to and keep the venue alive. The venue quickly hit its target of £5,000, demonstrating how the community spirit is essential in supporting venues like The Joiners and it’s a place where music fans can congregate, lose their minds, and have the time of their lives as they look directly in front of their heroes.
Grassroots venues matter because they are essential in a new bands’ career. It’s where they find their feet on tours, where they earn their stripes, and understand the feeling of playing in front of a crowd. It’s where they gain a fanbase who’ll continue to see them, inspiring them to form bands, or even chat to them at the merch table. It’s also at venues like The Joiners where you’ll see a band at their most intimate, run by people who are extremely passionate about music and committed to creating a timeless space that’s popular with fans and bands alike.
The Joiners has hosted gigs that live long in my memory. When Martha and Joyce Manor came there in July, you could see that both bands revelled and embraced the rowdy atmosphere, encouraging them to put on an exhilarating show. Another highlight was when Employed to Serve and Milk Teeth arrived there a month later playing a sold out show, and I hadn’t seen the place explode in a sweaty delight before, reminding me how special live music can be, with 200 people belting out all the words at the top of their lungs.
For a tiny pub, The Joiners is creating a massive impact, reflecting the importance of independent venues and bolstering Southampton’s reputation in the live scene. As it approaches its 50th anniversary, it’ll continue to be a stunning cultural hub and a staple for the live music scene in years to come.
