Everything Everything to play Bedford Esquires as part of campaign to save the venue

Elbow, Everything Everything and Public Service Broadcasting are just some of the bands set to play smaller venues as part of a new campaign.

Called Passport: Back to Our Roots, it's designed to raise money for grassroots music venues at risk of closure.

And in a major coup, Everything Everything will play Esquires in a one-off, intimate show which will happen only when gigs can take place with no social distancing.

Entry to any of the Back to Our Roots gigs will be via a prize draw which will run for two weeks from Monday, August 17. For a £5 minimum donation to the campaign, music fans will be entered into the draw to win tickets to the show of their choice for themselves and a guest.

Jeremy from Everything Everything said: “Like all artists worth their salt, we came up through smaller rooms and tiny stages, learning our craft as we went. So often these vital venues are run on a shoestring, but what they provide to their community socially and artistically is invaluable.

"The Back to Our Roots project is helping grassroots music venues back on their feet after these testing times. We wanted to come to Esquires as it’s exactly the sort of gig we’d have done 10 years ago, but actually never had the opportunity to. It’s our pleasure to be involved."

Gareth Barber of Esquires said: “I'm thrilled that Everything Everything will be coming to Esquires as part of Passport: Back To Our Roots. We had them booked for a tour warm-up show in April this year, which we were gutted to not see happen.

"When we were told that they had chosen us as the venue they would like to play and support, we were very grateful that they remembered us and honoured the booking. For a band of their stature to give their time says a lot about them as artists and how much they value grassroots music venues - we are going to do everything we can to make this show extra special.”

For your chance to win tickets and help save Esquires, visit here