December 20th 2024.
Exciting news for music lovers in London! The beloved Matchstick Piehouse in Lewisham is finally reopening its doors after a two-year hiatus. This iconic venue, known for its anti-capitalist stance, has hosted some incredible talent, including Kamasi Washington, Ezra Collective, and Moses Boyd. Unfortunately, the pandemic caused the venue to accumulate a debt of £36,000 to its landlord, forcing it to shut down in 2023. This was a heartbreaking blow for loyal attendees who had come to cherish this intimate space.
Despite a fundraising campaign that raised £30,000, the venue was still unable to pay off its debt. Shim Vereker, a supporter of the venue, expressed, "Matchstick Piehouse is exactly the kind of intimate venue that helps build connection, community and allows us to share collective joy. Please bring it back." But thanks to the efforts of the "Piehouse Co-op," a group of former staff, artists, and workers from other local venues, the Lewisham Council has granted a £15,000 capital grant to the venue. This is a major win for the grassroots music scene, especially considering that two venues close every week in the UK, according to the Music Venues Trust.
However, the venue still needs some help to fully open its doors. The Music Venues Trust and celebrities like Kate Nash have raised awareness about the struggles faced by venue owners and emerging artists. This growing support helped the "Piehouse Co-op" negotiate a new lease with the landlord, and they are now in the process of raising the remaining £15,000 through a Crowdfunder campaign. As their latest post explains, "We urgently still need to raise at least £15,000 to open the venue. We are moving into a totally empty building, so we need to cover all the fit out and furnishing costs, as well as some pre-trading costs such as staff wages." To reach their goal, the group has organized a series of fundraising gigs, which have been a huge success so far.
The reopening of the Matchstick Piehouse is not just a win for the venue, but for the entire community. Plans are already in motion for a grand reopening in February 2025, with a lineup of music, comedy, and theatre that fans have come to love. Grace O'Malley, a staff member, says, "If anything, we're planning even more gigs. It will definitely look different but will have the same values at the core. We just want people to recognize that we're valuable to the community, even if people with money don't want us there."
If you would like to support the venue and help them reach their goal, you can donate through their fundraiser link. The Matchstick Piehouse is more than just a venue; it's a symbol of community, connection, and collective joy. Let's come together and help this beloved space open its doors once again. And for the latest news from London, be sure to visit Metro's London news hub.
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