Marshall has announced the Made of Loud Tour, a new live music initiative combining touring, venue investment and community support to champion the independent venues and local scenes that keep live music alive. The 16-date UK tour will be headlined by Cancer Bats, with support from Knives and Ignite. It launches alongside Cancer Bats’ new album, Give Me Dirt, and coincides with the tenth anniversary of Marshall Records.
The initiative arrives as grassroots venues continue to face significant challenges. According to the Music Venue Trust Annual Report 2025, 30 grassroots music venues permanently closed during the year, while 175 UK towns and cities no longer receive regular touring shows by professional artists.
At the heart of Made of Loud is direct investment in independent venues. Marshall is working with venue owners to fund projects intended to deliver long-term benefits, including dressing-room and green-room refurbishments, backstage improvements, custom stage backdrops, venue branding and infrastructure upgrades.
The venues receiving support include The Joiners in Southampton, The Cavern in Exeter, The Fleece in Bristol and The Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes. Each has identified a project tailored to its own needs and ambitions.
“Marshall have always been good to us, supporting events and supplying equipment that helps give new and upcoming bands the best possible start, whether it’s their first ever show or part of a wider tour,” Craufurd Arms owner Max Harvey said.
“That’s what grassroots venues are all about. Live music is the lifeblood of our community, and we’re passionate about nurturing the culture and the scene here in Milton Keynes. It’s great to see Marshall putting something back into independent venues through Made of Loud.”
“Grassroots venues are closing faster than they are opening,” Marshall Group CMO Nick Street said. “The Marshall Made of Loud Tour funds real improvements in the venues, upgrades that will still be there long after the tour ends.
“Marshall would not exist without independent venues and the musicians who play them. This is us listening to what they actually need and acting on it.”
The tour also reflects the values of Cancer Bats, whose two-decade career has been built within the independent music scene. The band will help spotlight the venues, promoters, staff, volunteers and fans who continue to shape grassroots music culture.
“We are so excited to kick off the first-ever Made of Loud Tour,” Cancer Bats’ Liam Cormier said. “We’re playing some of our all-time favourite cities across the UK in the best venues. These independent spaces are what keep the UK scene alive and kicking, and we’re so stoked to be hitting so many of our favourite spots.
“On top of all that, we are bringing an amazing bunch of bands with Ignite and Knives. This is going to be the best tour ever.”
“We would never be in the position we’re in without playing independent venues,” Knives said. “These are the places where we learnt how to be in a band, what type of music we wanted to make, and met so many people who have been integral to our journey.
“Moles in Bath had to close in 2023, and we were gutted, as it was one of the first venues we ever played. That’s why Made of Loud means a lot to us. It’s so good to see a company directly support our music scene, and it’s encouraging to know there are people in our corner who make us feel heard.”
A dedicated content series will explore the importance of independent venues, the challenges they face and the impact of Marshall’s support. Marshall will also revisit venues after the tour to examine the programme’s long-term impact.
October
