In a bid to help the UK’s small, grassroots music venues survive the coronavirus pandemic, The Pet Shop Boys, KT Tunstall, Russell Watson and Passenger have all agreed to perform live for the Passport Back To Our Roots campaign.
Pet Shop Boys will play at Camden Town’s Electric Ballroom in north London, Russell Watson will appear at Manchester’s Stoller Hall, Passenger at Brighton’s Komedia venue and KT Tunstall is to play two gigs – one at Windmill Brixton in south London, and the other at PJ Molloys in Dunfermline, Fife.
Passes to the concerts can be won through a prize draw which will run from 14 September to 5 October via crowdfunder.co.uk/passport-back-to-our-roots.
To enter the drawer, fans must donate a minimum of £5 to the campaign and the winners will get two passes to a gig of their choice.


Show dates will be confirmed when venues are able to open without social distancing.
Two further artists to join the campaign will be announced on BBC Radio’s 6 Music show on Thursday, 10 September, which is the station’s State Of Independents Day.
The campaign previously raised £75,000 for concerts to Elbow, Public Service Broadcasting, Everything Everything, The Slow Readers Club and Ash.


Speaking about the campaign, KT Tunstall said, “Without grassroots music venues, there are no big acts. It’s as simple as that. The incredible eco-system of small venues exists, in the vast majority of cases, as labours of love. Constantly up against rapidly rising business rates and big developer interests, these essential community hubs are kept alive by often overworked owners and staff with an unending passion for music.”
Sally Cook, co-founder of Passport: Back to Our Roots, said, “We’re blown away by the incredible response to the first block of fundraisers, and want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated. We are really excited to be announcing this new group of artists this week.”
Words by Robert Spellman.
Recent Posts
Latest Travel News
Upcoming Events
Tenerife Carnival 2023, Santa Cruz
January 17 - February 26Broadway Week 2023, New York, USA
January 17 - February 12Sundance Film Festival, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2023
January 19 - January 29Chinese New Year 2023, Global
January 22 - February 9Gran Festa de la Calçotada, Valls 2023
January 29Up Helly Aa, Shetlands, 2023
January 31Vinterjazz Festival Denmark 2023
February 2 - February 26Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2023 in Thailand
February 3 - February 5Quebec Winter Carnival 2023
February 3 - February 12Chingay Parade Singapore, 2023
February 3 - February 4Fiesta Tapati de Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile
February 3 - February 11