A small pub in Surbiton has been praised for its dedication to grassroots music.
The Lamb, run by Adam and Liz Lewis, has been hosting free music events for more than a decade, featuring acts from as far afield as Senegal, California, Paris, and Melbourne.
The venue has become a favourite among musicians, with many, including The Lagans, The Swamp Stomp String Band, Tankus the Henge, and Joe Corbyn, having played there on their way to larger audiences.
Americana singer-songwriter Peter Bruntnell praised the venue, saying: "The Lamb is amazing because it gives us musicians such a warm welcome and brings a touch of bohemian attitude to Surbiton."
The Lamb operates a collection pot policy for its gigs, which usually take place on Thursdays and Sundays, with additional events throughout the year.
The pub also participates in local events, such as the Seething Wells Sardine Festival, the Sports Day, and the Mini car jamboree, either by hosting planning meetings or running a charity bar.
It also hosts a weekly art session.
The Lamb's example seems to have inspired other venues in the area, leading to a growth in pubs offering live music.
This growth is at odds with the national trend, as the Music Venue Trust's (MVT) 2024 Annual Report revealed that two venues a month closed in 2023, and more than 40 per cent of the UK's grassroots music venues were operating at a loss.
According to research from LIVE, a federation of 15 industry associations, 125 grassroots venues shut their doors last year.
Both MVT and LIVE cited rising business, staffing, and energy costs as factors threatening venues' survival.
MVT's Mark Davyd said: "Venues, despite all the very welcome good intentions, and acknowledgements they are receiving for their vital work, are still closing; still under extreme and totally unnecessary financial pressures; and still failing to be recognised, as everyone agrees they should and must be, when government designs policy, taxation, and legislation."
The number of touring venues has halved in the ten years that the Trust has been operating, making The Lamb's continuation all the more remarkable.
Adam and Liz started hosting music 11 years ago, with Adam training as a sound technician to ensure the best sound quality for acts.
Adam said: "We felt it was important that the music which we love gets heard in this community."
For nine years, The Lamb has hosted Lambstock, a two-day event with more than a dozen acts playing blues, jazz, Americana, and folk, all without an entry fee.
This year's festival on June 7 and 8 will see Celtic folk punk band The Lagans headline, while The Lost Revellers, Longshore Drifters, Joli Blon, and Brooke Law are also set to play.
Festival director Liz said: "Over the years, The Lamb has been committed to bringing the best of grassroots jazz, blues, and folk to the public, and this year’s Lambstock once again will bring the best to our corner of London."
The Lamb's dedication to grassroots music is a beacon of hope in a challenging landscape for music venues.
It continues to provide a platform for musicians to perform and learn, while also bringing a diverse range of music to the Surbiton community.
