We’re over the moon to announce renowned Bristol gig-goer Big Jeff Johns as our fifth and final ambassador for Independent Venue Week.
Renowned Bristol gig-goer Big Jeff Johns is today named and the fifth and final ambassador for Independent Venue Week.
Speaking about accepting the role, Jeff said: “I just think that it’s been an incredible opportunity that’s landed in my lap. Considering last year was my first involvement, this is a huge leap forward – it’s quite amazing for me. It’s especially great with independent venues has meant so much to me. I always looked at the NME and all of the venues named and dreamt that one day I’d like to go to all the venues.”
Sybil, Independent Venue Week’s founder, said:
“Big Jeff came to our launch event at the 100 Club back in November last year. He told me, when he walked in, that he’d never been to the club before. So I asked him if he’d be up for saying a few words on stage about his years of gig going. He kindly agreed and Shaun Keaveny, who was compering the launch, chatted with Jeff for about 15 mins about the thousands of shows he’s been to.”
Big Jeff is co-curating a show with fellow ambassador Adrian Utley from Portishead on Monday 29th Jan at the Crofters Rights with This Is The Kit (now sold out).
On Wednesday 31st, he is curating and DJing a show with deaf and disability charity, Attitude is Everything at the Exchange with Jesuits, Iceman Furniss Quartet and Emily Isherwood.
Last week Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC and Jamie Cullum were announced as two further ambassadors bringing a very eclectic mix of supporters to the project.
Founded in 2014 as a way to shine the spotlight on the heroes that own and run small venues all across the country, Independent Venue Week has grown massively in five years. Starting out with just 17 venues in 2014, it has grown this year with 172 venues signed up.
Once again the project will run at the end of January from Monday 29th – Sunday 4th February 18.
