Sweaty Ceilings launches crowdfunder to publish a book on London's independent music venues

Sweaty Ceilings is a celebration of London’s grassroots music venues featuring The Windmill, 100 Club, Roundhouse, Moth Club, KOKO, New River Studios, Cafe Oto and many more. These are places that have not only created an environment for young musicians to cut their teeth, but have also formed communities, shaped genres and created a significant cultural impact.

The project is spearheaded by Sophie Mo, a multidisciplinary artist and designer (Abrams, Laurence King Publishing, Little White Lies) and Tash Cutts, an Independent Music Manager working with Squid, Mandy, Indiana, Jerkcurb and more. 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.

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Last year was the worst for music venue closures in a decade, according to Music Venue Trust. In 2023, across the UK, two venues closed down every week ‒ that’s 125 lost in total. Starting its series in London, the book will go behind-the-scenes of 30 landmark venues, showcasing interviews and stories from writers, musicians and cultural figureheads, all of whom shed light on the venues’ history and cultural importance. It will also include an additional spotlight feature on venues that have closed down.

Sweaty Ceilings will feature exclusive interviews with musicians, bookers, photographers and many more. Additionally there will be a dedicated foreward written by The Libertines’ Carl Barât. Felix White, of the Maccabees and 86TVs, said, “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.”