16 Oct 2023
St Albans grassroots venue The Pioneer Club recently hosted its first major event in partnership with Headliner Spaces, with a show-stopping performance from multi-award-winning UK drum and bass outfit Rudimental.
The event was the first of its kind to take place at The Pioneer Club since Headliner Space and St Albans locals Enter Shikari entered into a joint-venture to rejuvenate the historic venue.
Welcoming a full house of music fans, industry executives, and fellow artists, the night opened in style with a powerhouse performance from emerging artist Lo Lauren.
Backed with a live drummer, the electro pop artist commanded the stage with all the guile and gusto of a seasoned pro, drawing a vast crowd and providing a perfect opening salvo for the evening ahead.
Up next was London-based producer and DJ 220 Kid, whose blistering set paved the way for what was to follow.
By the time Rudimental took to the stage, The Pioneer Club was already heaving, and within the opening few bars of their set it was evident that the packed-out venue was in for a night that would live long in the memory.
The group’s hour-long set not only generated a rapturous response from all in the room, but provided a thrilling snapshot of what the future holds for The Pioneer Club.
Speaking to Headliner, Rudimental said: “Helping to preserve grassroots venues is something we are passionate about, and by headlining this fundraiser at The Pioneer Club we want to help raise awareness of the venue, the charity, and all that it is striving to achieve in terms of music education, entertainment, and providing a safe creative place for young people.
“When Rian [Zoll Khan, Headliner commercial director] first told us about the Pioneer Club and Headliner’s vision for the space we jumped at the opportunity to be involved.
“Supporting a grassroot venue with a charity that is helping young people is what we are all about! Looking forward to seeing how things progress from here.”
The October 7 show was just the first of many stellar nights coming to The Pioneer Club. On Thursday, October 12, TikTok’s music distribution platform SoundOn presents the first of two MOBO UnSung specials at the venue.
Designed to showcase the best in unsigned new talent, each MOBO UnSung event will feature performances from five MOBO UnSung stars. The second of the two MOBO UnSung nights will take place in November with details to be announced shortly.
The two MOBO UnSung events also mark the launch of a wider partnership between Headliner and SoundOn, which will see SoundOn present monthly SoundOn Sessions at The Pioneer Club, showcasing some of the most exciting new talent in the business.
Commenting on the partnership, TikTok UK head of artist services, Nichal Sethi said: “From my perspective it was a no brainer. It’s similar to the MOBO UnSung partnership where emerging talent is at the forefront. That was so key, but there is also the community element and the charity element with Headliner. And enabling artists to take their craft outside of TikTok and into a live space was an incredible opportunity without even seeing the venue.
“Then I saw The Pioneer Club and what we were supporting and what was being created. It’s this amazing venue with a bar and a skatepark and an incredible studio that’s being built. Plus, there are plans for young people to come in and learn how to make music. It’s just such a great way for us to give back to Headliner in terms of what they are doing. It’s a great space to support these artists and for us to be part of the Headliner and Pioneer Club community.
“And this opportunity with Headliner allows us to do SoundOn Sessions at the Pioneer Club with new talent on a monthly basis. And that opportunity intertwined nicely with MOBO UnSung.”
Originally launched as a charity back in 1941 for young evacuees during World War II, The Pioneer moved to its current site in 1961, becoming a hub for local musical talent with legendary ‘60s rock outfit The Zombies forming at the venue. It is also the site of the UK’s oldest indoor skate park and has gone on to become a regular gigging spot locals Enter Shikari, as well as hosting early gigs by the likes of Gallows, Bring Me The Horizon, and many others.
Headliner Spaces was set up by Headliner and Enter Shikari not only with the aim of reinstating The Pioneer Club as a touring-circuit grassroots venue, but also to have a wider reach into the community and transform the site into a creative and cultural hub. As such, the venue will also accommodate a rehearsal space and world class Dolby Atmos recording studio, as well as providing education, training, and experience for aspiring artists, live music crew and recording technicians.
