£35,000 funding lifeline for Kirkcaldy's Kings Live Lounge

Kirkcaldy’s Kings Live Lounge has been given a huge financial boost.

The town’s newest live music venue got £35,000 from the Scottish Government’s emergency fund to support music venues.

PJ Molloy’s in Dunfermline also got £17,000.

The venues are of huge importance to the region’s live music scene, with the King’s just beginning to establish itself before being forced to shut its doors for lockdown.

A summer and autumn programme of gigs and events had to be postponed, and the building was also damaged by last month’s devastating floods.

With live venues still no clearer when they can re-open as restrictions remain in place, the funding, distributed through Creative Scotland, will come as a very welcome boost.

In total, the organisation was able to help 72 venues from just under 100 which applied.

Alan Morrison, head of music at Creative Scotland said the funding would bring “short-term stability” to the grassroots music sector.

He added: “Music is such a significant part of Scotland’s cultural life and it is here, at grassroots level, that talented musicians create new material connecting with audiences young and old.

“We look forward to the day when we’ll all be back together, cheering on artists face to face – but, until then, this fund will provide a lifeline to one of the most vibrant scenes that Scotland has to offer.”

The funding was also welcomed by Beverley Whitrick, strategic director, Music Venue Trust.

She said: “There is still a lot of work to do to support these venues through the crisis but to see so many venues awarded short-term financial support is an incredible step forward.

“We thank Creative Scotland for working so hard to make this possible and involving us in shaping the fund so it could be targeted effectively. We look forward to working further with them.”

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