Manchester’s ‘The Peer Hat’ Venue Launches Crowdfunder

There’s no end in sight to the current pandemic and our venues remain under threat, this week The Peer Hat, the venue that hosted my first, and as it turns out probably my last, gig of 2020 has launched a Crowdfunder. The Peer Hat‘s Nick Alexander explains about the future of the venue and the current financial situation; “That The Peer Hat is facing financial devastation, is not a unique story. Venues across the country are experiencing similar scenarios, to the point, that the whole of live music culture is facing an existential crisis. But… The Peer Hat is more than just bricks and mortar…it’s the extension of an idea that people in the city have held close to their hearts for years and have not, crucially been able to express easily in recent times, that is; our culture is our own to alter and create as we see fit. That’s Manchester and everybody is invited. The Peer Hat is only the embodiment of that and that’s why people want to support it. Either way,..every penny donated is hugely valued.  We’re unbelievably grateful and heartened to see people’s lovely show of family and understanding.” The Peer Hat‘s Crowdfunder can be found here and you can read more about campaign below

The COVID-19 pandemic is ripping through our economy at a rapid rate of knotts, sadly independent music venues are going to be the worst hit. Without help they cannot guarantee that they’ll still be here when the dust settles. That’s the long and short of it. Venues like The Peer Hat have been able to keep afloat for the last couple of months mainly due to the government grant. However, the screw is beginnning to tighten leaving many on decidely shaky ground from hereon in.  

The future of music venues in the city is for many very vague, especially in the case of businesses that are renting and have not been granted any rent deferral whatsoever. Whenever the crisis resolves itself, the potential ramifications of social distancing and fallout from virus-paranoia may live beyond the day restrictions are lifted. Those that have a connection with venues like The Peer Hat know why they do and that’s why they return. If we emerge into a new world then lets build something from the ashes of the old one and keep places like The Peer Hat alive with the warmth of their (inebriated) community. 

Ilana of XUP had this to to say about the importance of the venue “It’s hard to remember a time before The Peer Hat. Even though it’s only been with us for a few years. I have probably spent more time there than in my own home since it’s been open. So much so that if people need to contact me they know that’s where to find me and they’ve even sent me post there! My band XUP has a rehearsal space above it and it’s been amazing having the bar to get some downtime from making albums. It also feels like home whenever I get to play live there and the support I’ve had from everyone involved with the place has been fantastic. I think of The Peer Hat as family. The Peer Hat is also regularly frequented by artists who attend life drawing sessions upstairs, while more informal art clubs are often held at the bar itself by resident artist Fruschian Void. All of this will be lost if we don’t act quickly. Even the smoking area lovingly known as Rat Alley (no drinks outside the venue please!) has its own fanzine and TV episodes as well as a meme account on Instagram! The Peer Hat is the city’s underground beating heart and its own unique networking hub. We cannot let it go under. I can’t wait to be back!”

 

Over the years The Punk Site has caught many bands at The Peer Hat including The Hipshakes, Uncle Jane, Tensheds, The 99 Degree, The Maitlands, The Jungfraus, GUTS, Death Vignettes, Hopper Propelled Electric, Bones Shake, Snakerattlers, The Battery Farm, Cold Water Swimmers, Furrowed Brow, The Monfones, Thee Windom Earles and The Red Stains, and we hope to add to that comprehensive list when self isolating, social distancing and COVID-19 are nothing more than a bad memory, you can read the review of our first, and quite probably last, gig of 2020 at The Peer Hat here, a review that ended with these words “The Peer Hat is the kind of venue where you can put your drink down and know it’ll still be there and untainted when you return, coats can be abandoned and retrieved untouched after the bands have played and the ticket price is stupidly reasonable. After 40 days without live music tonight was the shot in the arm I needed to remind me exactly why I keep coming to shows and why The Punk Site and others like it exist, it’s simply because we love music and, like the bands, we can’t imagine not doing it or being part of it.”