The Ground Up
Dan McCarthy, Will Baldwin-PaskA celebration of the UK’s grassroots music venues. Through stories and interviews, we spotlight the vital people and places making local scenes thrive, often against the odds.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 11 | Founded | a year ago | Last Issue | 3 months ago |
| Active | |||||
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groundupmusic.substack.comLatest Issues
How a derelict car park became one of Bristol's best grassroots venues
A quick note about The Ground Up: I'm a journalist reporting on music and culture for The Guardian, The Quietus, Dazed, Clash and elsewhere. I started this project with my friend Will because we realised there was no dedicated space documen...
Talking Independent Venue Week with founder Sybil Bell
A quick note about The Ground Up: I'm a journalist reporting on music and culture for The Guardian, The Quietus, Dazed, Clash and elsewhere. I started this project with my friend Will because we realised there was no dedicated space documen...
2025 debrief: reflections from the grassroots
Dan (left) and Will (right) on location at Birmingham’s Hare & Hounds. Image: The Ground Up (2025)
Since launching in July, The Ground Up has travelled from the coastline of North Shields to the verdant Calder Valley to find out what’s hap...
Inside the Hare & Hounds with Marta del Pino
The Hare with a full house during a METZ gig back in 2024. Image: Argiris Liosis (2024)
Interview and words by Dan McCarthy and Will Baldwin-Pask
Birmingham is a city well-versed in being underestimated. It’s the “Second City” that often...
There’s something in the air at The Trades Club, feat. Mal Campbell
Words and interview by Dan McCarthy
The beacon-red front door of the Trades Club. Image: The Ground up (2025)
Descending into Hebden Bridge as an outsider is a revelatory experience. There’s something in the air in this stretch of the Yor...
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Freelance journalist with a focus on music and culture | Bylines in The Guardian, Dazed, Clash, The Quietus, New Humanist, and beyond
Writing longer & sometimes useful ideas about arts, comms and audiences. | The Ground Up & Content Culture UK | www.content-culture.co.uk
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