Back in September 2023, there was a triumph for the Liverpool music scene. One of Liverpool’s legendary live music venues, Arts Club, was saved and re-opened after becoming yet another casualty of the strained entertainment industry. With many venues closing in Liverpool and across the UK, it seemed Arts Club was to be another victim — that is, until Tokyo Industries saved the day.
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Perhaps a small victory in the great scheme of things, but a very important one, Arts Club is back and has been thriving ever since. An iconic institution, the Seel Street destination was established in 1928 — existing as a social club before transforming into a live music venue — and the gem has hosted countless nights of jazz, rock, indie, and electronic beats, hosting legendary acts and emerging talents alike.
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When the venue was closed by then operators Academy Music Group back in early 2023, another big collective sigh was expressed by Liverpool’s music scene. No less than 125 live music venues shut their doors in the UK, 15.7% of all such spaces, and it was lamented that Arts Club had become yet another on that fateful list.
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Then, just as all was lost, a saviour came from an unlikely source. Manchester’s Tokyo Industries, the team behind the noisy neighbour’s Gorilla, The Deaf Institute and Factory251 venues, took on the venue and have re-cemented it as a thriving live music destination — putting on huge shows alongside local promoter Revo of EVOL and the likes of SJM and Live Nation.
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Tokyo Industries’ David Roman said: “Arts Club has been great to reopen, with it being such a legendary venue in the city. I was part of AMG when they owned Arts Club so to be a part of re-opening it was something I leapt at. The feedback has been great amongst the tragic news of so many grass roots venues closing. Arts Club is an integral part of the Liverpool music scene so it’s a real triumph.”
He continued: “The Wombats and Two Door Cinema Club were amazing shows — thrusting Arts Club back onto the scene. Revo from EVOL has been putting on some stellar shows too — notably FESTEVOL with indie pioneers Peace. We have an ever growing programme of events, plus a run of club nights from September, with state of the art sound and lighting coupled with the biggest LED screen Liverpool has to offer.”
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Arts Club offers a 550 capacity theatre room and a newly renovated 350 capacity loft space — both fitted with state of the art sound, lightening, equipment and screens. With gigs from the likes of Pixey, Noisy and The Luca State planned for later in 2024, and a whole host of other events to be announced, it seems the venue is very much back to stay!
David summarised: “Venues like this are SO important, giving grass roots bands the opportunity to support and play alongside some of the worlds biggest artists, and they are crucial to the development of the new range of talent in a medium to large venue. We work with promoters such as EVOL, SJM and Live Nation, who continuously source and book up and coming fresh talent and put on top quality gigs.”
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Arts Club re-opened in September 2023 courtesy of Tokyo Industries — the team behind 45 of the world’s coolest bars and venues as far and wide as LA, Ibiza, New York and the UK. The venue is located on Seel Street and has a diverse programme of live music events planned for the rest of 2024.
Arts Club / 90 Seel Street, Liverpool, L1 4BH
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