The closure of any grassroots music venue is a tragedy (and a recent report by the Music Venue Trust found that we lost 125 of them in 2023) but the loss of some spaces is felt especially deeply by the communities they serve.
Off The Cuff, tucked away beneath a pair of railway arches in Herne Hill is one such space, and the recent news that excessive rises in costs are threatening its future have been met with grave concern. OTC’s unique ambience and varied schedule of music and comedy would in itself be a significant loss to this corner of South London, but what really sets Off The Cuff apart is its dedication to providing opportunities to the next generation of musicians through its award winning Junior Open Mic (JOM) events.
These shows provide performers from ages 4-18 an opportunity to play on a proper stage with proper equipment, a sound engineer and a supportive, inclusive audience, free of charge. JOM is staffed by a community group of volunteers and has been running at OTC since 2017. They are the largest open mic sessions in the country, often featuring more than 70 young artists per event, with more than 1,000 performers having graced their stage to date.
The opportunities they provide go well beyond developing a new generation of artists. JOM provides a safe space, a community to connect with and an opportunity for self expression much needed in an era of youth mental health crisis. It’s a space to make friends, develop skills and confidence and find acceptance.
Of course the community around OTC aren’t going to sit back and watch their venue go to the wall – the Save Off The Cuff group formed following the news of its potential closure and is organising a two-day Bandathon on 18th and 25th February to help raise funds and awareness of the venue’s plight. The event will feature a mind boggling 150 artists, with a mix of young performers from the JOM events alongside established artists and a few celebrity turns, including comperes Kerry Godliman and Jo Brand, food critic and accomplished pianist Jay Rayner and a DJ set from BBC News’ Ros Atkins.
When Joyzine got the call to get involved, in partnership with our friends at LOUD WOMEN, there was no doubt in our minds that we should lend a hand. We will shortly be announcing five of our favourite artists who will be joining the Bandathon line up. Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement soon.
Bandathon takes place on Sunday 18th and 25th February from 10am-11pm at Off The Cuff, Railton Road, London SE24 0JN. It’s free entry so please spend a few quid at the bar to support the venue.
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Article by Paul Maps
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