FULL capacity live events are back at Frome’s Cheese and Grain after an absence of over 500 days.
The biggest season of shows in the venue’s 20+ year history kicked off in style, with legendary DJ and friend of the venue Fatboy Slim playing a special reopening party to a sold out venue on Wednesday 21st July.
Cheese and Grain’s events manager Rob Dahl said, “It was fantastic to be able to fully re-open our doors once again, and I couldn’t think of a better way to welcome full capacity audiences. It was great and a little bit emotional to see that we were able to safely get back for all the fantastic events the venue is known for, from massive shows like this, to our ever-popular markets.
“With three decades of DJ excellence under his belt, Fatboy Slim was instrumental in bringing dance music to the masses with his formidable arsenal of feel-good house that helped shape the face of club culture as we know it today.
“Normally only seen in the area’s amazing crowds at Glastonbury Festival, this was a rare chance to catch a musical icon in an intimate setting.”
With assistance from Frome Town Council, the Cheese and Grain has installed a state-of-the-art new ventilation system in the main hall. This system allows for the complete circulation of new air into the building every six minutes. This system will be constantly in use during the duration of events in the venue, which is one of the steps taken by the venue to ensure safe opening.
Phil Gibby, area director, Arts Council England, South West said, “We are so pleased that after many difficult months, the Cheese and Grain in Frome can finally open its doors and safely welcome back full audiences once again for live music.
“We greatly admire the organisation’s resilience and determination throughout the pandemic, to ensure that it’s here for its community in Somerset, and here for culture. The Cheese and Grain’s reopening has been made possible thanks to lifeline funding from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. It is testament to the importance of public investment in arts and culture, which we know brings communities together, makes people happy, and will help us recover from the pandemic.
“We look forward to many exciting cultural events taking place at the Cheese and Grain this summer, and for many years to come.”
The venue’s upcoming series of shows will see a mixture of some of the biggest and best touring acts take to the Grain’s stage in the coming months. These include the likes of folk-rock superstar Frank Turner, Brit award-winner Beth Orton, the UK’s best-selling country act The Shires and national treasure 80s’ icon Martin Kemp.
For full details and tickets for all events please visit www.cheeseandgrain.com
