Arts Council funding ensures live music events in Bedford are accessible to all 

Thanks to a grant from Arts Council England, young people and those struggling financially will be able to experience live music events at Bedford Esquires from as little as a fiver.

Rick Skilbeck, who promotes events at the award-winning music venue as Club Biscuit, has received funding from the Supporting Grassroots Music fund to subsidise reduced-price tickets to all of their shows.  

The initiative means music lovers who are struggling with increases in the cost of living can pick up a ticket to see a touring act for as little as £5, without the need to provide evidence of their income.

These reduced-price tickets, which will be described as ‘Art is for Everyone’, are also available to anyone under the age of 25, regardless of their financial situation.

“Myself and fellow promoter Ian ‘Milky’ Kemp successfully applied for a grant from Arts Council England two years ago during the height of the cost of living crisis, and this initiative has allowed people to see some incredible shows at Esquires by the likes of Teenage Fanclub, The Horrors, Big Special and Throwing Muses for less than the price of a pint of beer,” said Rick.

“Our goal was to make our events accessible to everyone, no matter what their financial situation was.

“We have received some brilliant feedback about the initiative over the past 24 months and the difference it has made to people, so I’m incredibly grateful to Arts Council England for their ongoing support and this further award, which will allow it to continue for another two years.”

Inspiring the next generation

To encourage even more people to get out and see live music, Rick and Milky have expanded the eligibility criteria to now include anyone under the age of 25, regardless of their financial situation.

“Grassroots music venues like Esquires were a cultural lifeline for me when I was 18, and if we don’t encourage youngsters to visit them now, it is difficult to see where the next generation of gig goers, promoters and venue operators is going to come from,” explained Rick.

“These reduced price tickets could now allow someone to bring their son, daughter, niece or nephew to the venue at little financial cost.”

Forthcoming gigs with an allocation of Art is for Everyone tickets include The Moonlandingz, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, Whitelands, The Cords and more.

You can find out more and purchase subsidised tickets at the Esquires website here.