Music clubs are in a deep crisis, a phenomenon not limited to a specific country, although the struggles are regionally different. In the UK, for example, poor public transport is a significant challenge.
Rising costs and the deep scars left by the pandemic unify the club crisis. Two years of barely any activity led the older audience (which I consider myself a part of) to enjoy a calm night at home rather than a gig late in the evening. On the other hand, young people were never introduced to the club and live music culture.
Furthermore, restaurants and bars have started to spice up their experiences with live music, too, with the big difference being that they don’t charge an entry fee.
And if people actually go to a club event, they spend less money. Alexander Bücheli, director of Zurich’s bar and club commission, recently stated that they see a 40% revenue decrease per guest. Mostly because people drink less alcohol—which is, regarding public health, not a bad trend.
In Switzerland specifically, the federalised nature brings along challenges as well. State subsidy programmes vary vastly in scope and quality; there’s no unified approach to applying for government funding. In some cities, clubs are located in publicly owned buildings with little or no rent. In other places, there’s funding for a curated live music programme.
Defying the Trend
However, at the m4music festival, Dave Naef gave some interesting insights into his business, the club Bierhübeli in Bern, Switzerland—a mid-sized venue that proudly survives without any public funding.
