19 Aug 2026
A fresh chapter has begun for one of the UK’s best-known grassroots music venues with a new team at the helm of The Horn.
Luke Hinton, Shane Smith and Abbie Whitrow will be taking the venue forward, combining a long-standing connection to The Horn with years of experience in live music, venue management and promotion.
Shane has served as general manager of The Horn for almost four years, playing a central role in the day-to-day running and development of the venue during that time.
His partner, Abbie Whitrow, will also be part of the takeover and the team responsible for the venue’s next chapter.
Luke has a long-standing connection with The Horn through Juicebox Live, having promoted countless shows at the venue and brought an extensive range of emerging and established artists to St Albans over many years.
The change marks the end of a remarkable period under Adrian Bell and James McLaughlin, whose contribution to The Horn and grassroots music in St Albans stretches back decades.
During their tenure, The Horn has grown from a small local music venue into one with a reputation and influence extending far beyond St Albans. It has welcomed countless emerging and established artists, provided an important platform for new talent and received multiple national awards and industry recognition.
The scale of what Adrian and James have supported a relatively small independent venue to achieve during their time at The Horn should not be underestimated. At a time when grassroots venues across the country have faced enormous challenges, their commitment has enabled The Horn not only to survive, but to establish itself as an important and respected part of the UK’s grassroots music network.
Luke said: “The Horn has been an incredibly important part of my life for many years, so having the opportunity to help shape its next chapter is an enormous privilege.
“Adrian and James deserve huge credit for everything they have achieved here. The Horn has consistently punched above its weight, becoming nationally recognised while remaining a small independent grassroots venue at its heart. I’m incredibly grateful to them for the opportunities they’ve given me.
“Getting to this point has been a mental and emotional roller coaster. I cannot thank Shane and Abbie enough for everything they have done to make it happen, and personally Rachael and the kids have been incredible throughout.
“Now it’s about the future. We want to protect everything that makes The Horn special while continuing to develop it, create opportunities for artists and ensure it remains an important part of the UK’s grassroots music scene for many years to come.”
Having managed the venue for almost four years, Shane will continue to lead its day-to-day operation, with a particular focus on developing the wider venue and bar experience alongside its established live music programme.
Shane said: “I know just how much The Horn means to our customers, our team and the wider St Albans community. I’m incredibly excited that Abbie, Luke and I now have the opportunity to take it forward together.
“The live music will always be at the heart of The Horn, but there is also a huge opportunity to continue developing the bar and the venue outside of show times. We want The Horn to be somewhere people choose to come whether they’re seeing a band, meeting friends for a drink or simply looking for a great independent pub with a welcoming atmosphere.
“We have lots of ideas for the future, but equally we understand the importance of retaining the character and identity that people love about The Horn. This is about building on what is already here, investing in the venue and creating a positive and sustainable future for it.
“It’s an exciting moment for all of us and I’m looking forward to working alongside Abbie, Luke and the whole team on the next chapter.”
The new team intends to build on the venue’s established identity rather than reinvent it, protecting the qualities that have made The Horn such an important part of the grassroots music ecosystem while continuing to develop both its live programme and its role as a pub and social space.
Alongside established touring artists and tribute shows, new and developing music will remain central to The Horn’s identity, providing opportunities for artists at the beginning of their careers and creating pathways through to support slots and headline shows as their audiences grow.
Away from the stage, the team will also focus on the continued development of the bar and customer experience, ensuring The Horn remains a vibrant destination throughout the week and not solely when live events are taking place.
The takeover comes at a tough time for grassroots music venues nationally, with rising operating costs and changing audience habits continuing to put pressure on independent venues. The new ownership team is committed to ensuring The Horn remains sustainable, ambitious and independent, with live music and its local community firmly at its heart.
