TRNSMT Boss Geoff Ellis Sounds Alarm Over Scotland's Venue Crisis

Mia Reynolds, 10/22/2025Geoff Ellis warns that proposed housing reforms could silence Scotland's vibrant music scene. As venues face new challenges, the balance between urban living and cultural preservation hangs in the balance. Can Scotland safeguard its musical heartbeat?

At first glance, the government's initiative seems straightforward enough — simplify building conversion rules to tackle the housing shortage. But scratch beneath the surface, and a more troubling picture emerges. The proposal would allow residential development in upper floors of city buildings without full planning permission, potentially setting up a clash between new residents and established venues that's all too familiar to anyone who's witnessed similar scenarios play out in cities worldwide.

Geoff Ellis, the mastermind behind DF Concerts and the massively successful TRNSMT festival, doesn't sugar-coat the situation. "Grassroots venues and pubs are where artists find their voices, and their Scottish fans," he explains, his concern palpable. The timing couldn't be worse — the UK's music venue landscape is already reeling from a brutal few years, with 125 venues shuttering or stopping live music in 2023 alone. Another 25 followed suit last year, and 2025 isn't looking any more promising.

Take Glasgow's legendary King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, for instance. This cultural cornerstone on St Vincent Street — where countless careers have been launched and memorable nights etched into music history — could soon find itself hemmed in by apartment buildings. The inevitable noise complaints would force venue owners to foot the bill for extensive soundproofing, assuming such modifications are even technically feasible.

"These changes add another unnecessary challenge," states Mike Grieves, managing director of the iconic Sub Club and head of the Night Time Industries Association. His frustration is evident when discussing the financial implications for venues still nursing wounds from the pandemic years. "Most wouldn't survive the financial burden of trying to completely soundproof their premises, even if that was possible."

The proposed changes are wrapped up in the government's vision for "20-minute neighbourhoods" — a lovely concept on paper, where everything you need sits within a short journey from home. But here's the rub: what good is a perfectly planned neighbourhood if it's stripped of the cultural pulse that makes city living worthwhile?

As next week's consultation deadline looms, Scotland stands at a crossroads. The challenge isn't just about preserving music venues — it's about protecting the very essence of urban life. These aren't just buildings with sound systems; they're the incubators of tomorrow's talent, the keepers of countless memories, and the beating heart of Scotland's cultural identity.

Without careful consideration and proper safeguards, these well-intentioned planning changes might just turn the volume down on Scotland's vibrant music scene. And once that music stops? Well, some things can't be fixed with simple planning permission.

Scotland's cherished music scene faces an unexpected threat from an unlikely source: housing reform. The latest proposed changes to planning permission laws have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, leaving venue owners and cultural advocates scrambling to protect the very soul of Scottish nightlife.At first glance, the government's initiative seems straightforward enough — simplify building conversion rules to tackle the housing shortage. But scratch beneath the surface, and a more troubling picture emerges. The proposal would allow residential development in upper floors of city buildings without full planning permission, potentially setting up a clash between new residents and established venues that's all too familiar to anyone who's witnessed similar scenarios play out in cities worldwide.Geoff Ellis, the mastermind behind DF Concerts and the massively successful TRNSMT festival, doesn't sugar-coat the situation. "Grassroots venues and pubs are where artists find their voices, and their Scottish fans," he explains, his concern palpable. The timing couldn't be worse — the UK's music venue landscape is already reeling from a brutal few years, with 125 venues shuttering or stopping live music in 2023 alone. Another 25 followed suit last year, and 2025 isn't looking any more promising.Take Glasgow's legendary King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, for instance. This cultural cornerstone on St Vincent Street — where countless careers have been launched and memorable nights etched into music history — could soon find itself hemmed in by apartment buildings. The inevitable noise complaints would force venue owners to foot the bill for extensive soundproofing, assuming such modifications are even technically feasible."These changes add another unnecessary challenge," states Mike Grieves, managing director of the iconic Sub Club and head of the Night Time Industries Association. His frustration is evident when discussing the financial implications for venues still nursing wounds from the pandemic years. "Most wouldn't survive the financial burden of trying to completely soundproof their premises, even if that was possible."The proposed changes are wrapped up in the government's vision for "20-minute neighbourhoods" — a lovely concept on paper, where everything you need sits within a short journey from home. But here's the rub: what good is a perfectly planned neighbourhood if it's stripped of the cultural pulse that makes city living worthwhile?As next week's consultation deadline looms, Scotland stands at a crossroads. The challenge isn't just about preserving music venues — it's about protecting the very essence of urban life. These aren't just buildings with sound systems; they're the incubators of tomorrow's talent, the keepers of countless memories, and the beating heart of Scotland's cultural identity.Without careful consideration and proper safeguards, these well-intentioned planning changes might just turn the volume down on Scotland's vibrant music scene. And once that music stops? Well, some things can't be fixed with simple planning permission.