Pete Cogle. Podcaster & Grassroots Music Advocate

  In this podcast episode Sean Adams (Drowned In Sound Podcast) and Helena Wadia (Media Storm Podcast) discuss the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s Fan-Led Review into Live Music and Electronic Music. Alongside the in-depth analysis of the state of live music and what music fans want, there’s also The Fans’ Charter. Much shorter than the 100-page report, the Fans’ Charter has 50 recommendations that the government, the industry, and local authorities should implement, from ending ticket touting to improving late night transport and simple things like the live industry sharing timings so fans can plan their night out accordingly. You can read the full report HERE. Read my analysis of the report HERE. 

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Toni is joined by George Fleming from Save Our Scene for a conversation about the urgent need to protect and rebuild the UK’s grassroots live music ecosystem. From the origins of the campaign to the realities facing venues, artists and promoters today, they explore why structural change is needed now, and how initiatives like Liveline and Everywhere At Once are designed to create practical, long-term support for the communities that sustain live music. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 22/04/2026 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

 The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Sean Adams, founder of the pioneering online music publication Drowned in Sound, joins Toni for a conversation about the role of independent journalism in shaping grassroots music culture. From its beginnings as a late-90s newsletter to becoming one of the most influential music communities of the early internet era, Drowned in Sound helped launch artists, writers and entire scenes. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 05/03/2026 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Toni speaks to Jim Walsh, CEO of Conway Hall Ethical Society and author of Ethics Starts With You, about the role of ethics in grassroots music venues. Together they explore the Ethical Venues project, the power and risk of publicly stating values, and how venues can create spaces that are both principled and welcoming. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 05/03/2026 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mae Stephens to talk about her upcoming UK tour with Music Venue Trust and her brand new single Blue. This episode was recorded at The Black Prince in Northampton – a grassroots music venue that is close to Mae’s heart. This special conversation explores moving from viral online success to performing live on stage, the thrill of being up close with fans, and the bravery of people showing up solo to share the experience. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 11/02/2026 Get tickets for Mae’s tour: https://bit.ly/m/Mae-Stephens Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, to break down the latest on Business Rates for grassroots music venues – and how the music industry came together to challenge recent increases. They also cover the progress of key campaigns, such as the grassroots levy, Agent of Change, licensing, and more. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 04/01/2026 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

My podcasting mate Peter Clitheroe released his first episode of his long running show “Suffolk and Cool” 20 Years Ago today. Released only 2 days after I released my first podcast.  From the onset, sounding way more professional than my fledgling efforts,  Peter’s show and mine bumbled along independently, but with increasing intersections like a rather cool Venn diagram.  Back in the day we used music we found on the Podsafe Music Network and we registered when we played them. I found Peter was playing the same tracks as myself and, as my family and I regularly holidayed in Suffolk I decided to make contact. We met up for a beer or two in Southwold and you can find that encounter in Podcast #55. We’ve been firm friends ever since. But lets go back to the beginning and have a listen to Suffolk and Cool #1.   Here are the shownotes: The first show, which features: bill “Sound Scientist” – formed in the fall of 2003 when band members and long time friends Curtis Hartling (guitar, vocals, drums), Jonathan Coyle (drums, vocals, keys, guitars) and Dave Marciano (bass, sax, vocals) wanted to do something new in San Diego. Upcoming dates include: 4 Feb 06 SD Sports Club, San Diego 10 Feb 06 The BLVD, San Marcos 28 Feb 06 The Casbah, San Diego, CA Music purchase and dates at: www.billmusic.net The Fat Band interview – Suffolk and Cambridge based R&B band of varying size and line-up. The core of the band has been together for 30 years, together they always put together a great show. Line-up generally includes bass, percussion, lead and rhythm guitars, keyboards, a brass section and two lead singers. The band seems ready to recruit backing singers who will have to live with the name “The Fatettes”. Interview recorded in a very noisy village hall at Charsfield. A bit of a rant about the music business and the benefits of podcasting for musicians and listeners. If you’ve got views on this (or anything else in the show) post a comment on this page (use the comments link below), email your response or, best of all send me an audio file which I might be able to include in the next show. [email protected] Majek Fashek “I am not afraid” – Nigerian reggae artist who meshes Reggae, Rock, Afrobeat, Juju, Kpanngolo and Olokun rythems with nods to the like of Bob Marley, Fela and Jimi Hendrix. www.majekfashek.com This show includes music from the Podsafe Music Network    

Twenty years ago today a very young sounding, rather naïve, 45 year old bloke recorded his first podcast. He’d just been given an iPod for Christmas 2005 and just discovered these things called podcasts on the iTunes website. Finding that some of these podcasts featured independent, hobbyist DJs he decided to throw his own hat in the ring. The rest is history. I’ve thought about making a new “best of” podcast to commemorate 20 years since this event took place, but it would be no more than an extended version of podcasts I’ve already created. Instead I’m republishing that first ever podcast. Only 5 tracks, but clearly demonstrating what PCP would become over the years. I hope you enjoy it. I still do.   What if’s and maybe’s by Bromhead’s Jacket. Some Indie from the Sheffield 3 piece band, in the style of the Arctic Monkeys. Nice. From the single “What If’s and Maybe’s” and downloaded from the band’s myspace. Pearls’s Girl by Underworld. A classy electronic dance groove from the Album “Second Toughest in the Infants”. This version downloaded from the band’s website around 2004, and taken from the “Blue Mountain” concert Dhol Rinse by Asian Dub Foundation. Bhangra style beats from the album “Enemy of the Enemy”. This version downloaded from the band’s website Beauty by A Black City. Trip-hop style grooves from Nick Dwyer, based in Brighton. As yet unsigned. This version downloaded from the band’s myspace. Juggernaut by Groundation. Roots reggae from the Leicester cult band. This came from a one-off single I picked up at a gig at Leicester Polytechnic in 1981. I’ve loved it ever since. I couldn’t find it anywhere on the internet when I made this podcast in 2006 but it’s now resurfaced on Spotify and Bandcamp.

*CORRECTION: Blane McNab, Bar and Operations Manager, at The Court House Bangor wrote the report mentioned in this episode on reusable plastic cups* The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Toni joined by Charlie and Lala to explore the values that sit at the heart of grassroots music venues. Moving beyond funding and survival, the conversation looks at ethics, care, and culture, from sustainability and access to diversity, transparency, and community impact. All data is correct on the date of filming 08/01/2026 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The press were out in force with the MVT report releasing it’s 2025 report. Here are a few of the articles that came out of that event. All of these focus on different parts of the report. Guardian: Wednesday briefing: ​Can we afford to be optimistic about grassroots music venues? and: UK grassroots music venues show lowest decline since 2018 as sector stabilises post-pandemic BBC: Grassroots music venues struggle to make profit and Venues in the South missing out on touring bands Music Week: Music Venue Trust: 175 towns & cities with grassroots venues no longer receive regular touring shows The Line Of Best Fit: “We have pushed these music venues as far as they can go”: MVT urges government action to save grassroots music sector Arts Professional: Thousands of jobs lost in grassroots music venues Access All Areas: MVT optimistic despite 53% of grassroots venues failing to make a profit in 2025 Pollstar: ‘Current Economic Models For Grassroots Live Music Are Not Working’ Finds Music Venue Trust Annual Report Spectrum FM: UK Grassroots Music Venues Face Financial Struggles Despite Growing Audiences Metro: 30 grassroots music venues close in a year – here’s what the government must do Kerrang: British grassroots venues remain “financially fragile”, according to new report Music News: Grassroots music sector in crisis: MVT report warns of 6,000 job losses Far Out Magazine: Most grassroots venues failed to make a profit in 2025, new report reveals Billboard: Over Half of U.K. Grassroots Venues Unprofitable In 2025, Says Music Venue Trust Jazzwise: Music Venue Trust Annual Report warns Grassroots Music Venues remain financially fragile Rolling Stone: Over half of UK grassroots music venues didn’t make a profit in 2025 Event Industry News: Music Venue Trust Annual Report 2025 Warns Grassroots Sector Remains ‘Financially Fragile’ The Riff Report: Britain’s Grassroots Music Venues Are Hanging By A Thread NME: Over half of UK grassroots venues made no profit in 2025, with 6,000 jobs lost Music Ally: Music Venue Trust reveals tight margins for grassroots venues The Independent: More than half of grassroots music venues did not make money in 2025 – charity Filmogaz: Half of UK Grassroots Music Venues Operate Without Profit Billboard: Over Half of U.K. Grassroots Venues Unprofitable In 2025, Says Music Venue Trust God Is In The TV: Music Venue Trust Annual Report 2025 warns grassroots sector remains ‘Financially Fragile’ Mixmag: More than half of UK grassroots music venues failed to make a profit in 2025 The Ticketing Business: Music Venue Trust report warns sector remains “financially fragile” Music Radar: “This sector has done all it can to keep music live in our communities, it now needs permanent protection”: Annual Music Venue Trust report reveals sector is “fragile” and “one shock away from a crisis” Clash: UK Music Venues Lost 6000 Jobs In 2025 BBC Front Row Podcast (Kirsty Wark, Mark Davyd and Kathryn McShane discuss the MVT Report)   You can read the MVT 2025 Report yourself HERE.  

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this special episode, Toni and Mark unpack the findings of MVT’s brand Annual Report for 2025. They dig into what the data really shows about the state of grassroots music venues across the UK. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 08/01/2026 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, for a reflective conversation about the state of the grassroots music sector at the start of a new year. Looking back to January 2020 and the long period of survival that followed, they explore why 2025 was not the year the sector turned the corner, but why the foundations now feel stronger than they have in years. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 08/01/2026 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni and Mark Davyd look back on a defining year for the grassroots music ecosystem. From policy battles and frontline crisis support to the rise of community ownership and moments of collective action, they reflect on the pressures, progress, and hard-won victories of the past twelve months. A clear-eyed end of year round-up from Music Venue Trust, closing with thanks to the venues, workers, artists, and audiences who continue to keep the last safe space alive. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 11/12/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni and Mark Davyd break down a week of political pressure, frontline crises, and hard won momentum across the grassroots music venue sector. From the fallout of rising business rates and parliamentary scrutiny, to real time crisis support, rights management escalations, and the power of partnerships and community ownership, this Big Friday Round Up takes stock of a sector holding the line. A clear, data led snapshot of where things stand, why it matters, and how listeners can help keep grassroots venues alive. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 11/12/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni speaks with Lala, MVT’s Membership Coordinator, to uncover how the charity understands and supports grassroots venues across the UK. They discuss who makes up the network, the pressures venues are facing, and why MVT has broadened its definition of a grassroots space. A concise look at the data, challenges, and human connections that shape the membership at the heart of Music Venue Trust. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 20/11/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni sits down with Matt and Chris from Music Venue Properties to break down the extraordinary success of Own Our Venues Round Two. Together they explore how the campaign soared from a £1 million goal to £1.5 million in community investment, why 1,349 people chose to become shareholders in the future of grassroots venues, the pivotal moments that shaped the campaign, and what this landmark funding means for the next phase of securing buildings for the UK’s music ecosystem. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 20/11/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni and Mark dive into a fast-moving fortnight for grassroots music, covering surging political pressure on Business Rates, big wins in planning, major new partnerships, real-world crisis cases, and the rising wave of community ownership and workforce recognition driving the sector forward. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 16/10/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni speaks with Stina and Aled about the current pressures, regional strengths, and emerging opportunities shaping grassroots venues across Scotland and Wales, from licensing and planning issues to ethics, accessibility, and community-led support. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 16/10/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Arusa Qureshi hosts a panel discussion at EXIT Club in Glasgow, co-produced with Glasgow Life, NTIA Scotland, and the Association for Electronic Music. Together, they explore the heartbeat of Scottish nightlife – its unique culture, challenges, and the collective action needed to ensure a thriving future for live music across Scotland. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 16/10/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni speaks with Chris Sherrington from Music Venue Properties about the Own Our Venues campaign, exploring how community ownership is protecting grassroots venues, the impact so far, and what the future holds for the movement. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 16/10/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni speaks with Lloyd and Jay about the latest trends, challenges, and breakthroughs shaping grassroots venues across England – from rising costs to local government support and policy innovation. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 16/10/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

 The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni and Sophie unpack the government’s new consultation on licensing reform and what it means for grassroots music venues. They also cover this week’s crisis cases, community wins, and sector updates – from The Boileroom’s nineteenth anniversary to The Ferret’s expansion and the rise of the Grassroots Levy. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 16/10/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: This week on The Last Safe Space, Toni and Mark unpack the latest from Westminster and beyond. The House of Lords debates the Agent of Change amendment, the Government stalls on Business Rates reform, and MVT outlines a bold new investment approach: don’t just fund problems—fix them. Plus, community victories from The Sound Lounge and The George Tavern, new partnerships with Fred Perry and Yamaha, and a hard look at rights management and venue protection. All the frontline news from the UK’s grassroots music venue ecosystem, straight from the source. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 17/09/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The 5th podcast from the Music Venue Trust. The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: In this special edition of The Last Safe Space, Toni sits down with Music Venue Trust’s Chief Operating Officer, Beverley Whitrick, for an inside look at the work that keeps grassroots music venues alive. From the very first Grassroots Networking Day and partnerships with cultural institutions like the V&A and Southbank Centre, to ten years of Venues Day, Beverley shares how the conversation has shifted from survival to recognition, and why grassroots venues are finally being seen as the cultural powerhouses they’ve always been. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 17/09/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The 4th podcast from the Music Venue Trust. The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni and Mark tackle government changes, levy deadlines, and real crisis cases, including venues struggling with PRS/PPL invoices. Plus: Sam Fender’s £100k lifeline, Coldplay’s Wembley commitment, and the power of Sonic Boom Festival. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 17/09/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

The third podcast from the Music Venue Trust. The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: festivals + venues linking arms, Coldplay’s 10% ticket pledge, a new national networking day, the power of community ownership, the real story behind “Grassroots Music Venue,” and another Agent of Change win. Plus, fundraising hero Andy Hobson. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 13/08/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: Membership – Music Venue Trust Learn more about the MVT: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com  

The second podcast from the Music Venue Trust. The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni Coe and Mark Davyd discuss the Prime Minister’s backing of the £1 Grassroots Levy, the latest adoption numbers, frontline crisis cases, and how community power is saving venues across the UK. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 13/08/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: Membership – Music Venue Trust Learn more about the MVT: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com  

The first podcast from the Music Venue Trust. The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues – from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode: Toni Coe and Mark Davyd unpack a major win on licensing, Manchester’s new funding blueprint, MPs backing grassroots venues, and the latest updates on crisis cases, campaigns, and Own Our Venues. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 13/08/2025 Join the Supporters Circle: Membership – Music Venue Trust Learn more about the MVT: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com Learn more about the MVT: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com