Grassroots | Huck
Huck

Grassroots

Large white domed arena with yellow support masts beside River Thames, with Canary Wharf skyscrapers in background under blue sky.

London’s O2 Arena will donate ‘significant’ funds to grassroots music venues

Investing in the pipeline — The 20,000 capacity arena will provide funding to the Music Venue Trust every time it hosts a new headliner, on top of a ‘six-figure upfront donation’ under the new scheme.

  • Music
  • Isabelle Blakeney
Group of young people posing on black metal stairs holding cardboard protest signs, wearing casual clothing against white backdrop.

Queer nightlife in crisis: 8 of London’s biggest parties unite to save LGBTQ+ venues

Not a eulogy. A declaration — Over the weekend, INFERNO, Queer House Party, Riposte, RIOT, BUMPAH, Coven, Uhaul Dyke Rescue and PLASTYK came together in a photoshoot to call for collective action, as the landscape for grassroots venues continues to worsen.

  • Music
  • Ella Glossop
Black and white image of performer on stage pointing towards crowd with raised hands reaching upwards, smoky atmosphere visible.
© Cheap Dirty Horse

In Nottingham, punk’s UK revival rumbles

Grassroots grinding — The city has a rich history of creative resistance, and now a new wave of noise is emerging. From DIY recording studios to impromptu skatepark gigs, Hannah Bentley travels to the east Midlands to meet the artists keeping rebellion alive – and loud.

  • Music
  • Hannah Bentley
Boxing trainer in black tracksuit instructing young boxer wearing headgear in gym ring under bright lights.

Warm, tender photos of London’s amateur boxing scene

Where The Fire Went — Sana Badri’s new photobook captures the wider support networks and community spirit around the grassroots sport, as well as the significance of its competitions to the athletes who take part.

  • Sport
  • Isaac Muk
Rustic footbridge across a river, with people crossing it on a sunny day. Warm tones and shadows suggest an outdoor, natural setting.

In Medellín’s alleys and side streets, football’s founding spirit shines

Street Spirit — Granted two weeks of unfettered access, photographer Tom Ringsby captures the warmth and DIY essence of the Colombian city’s grassroots street football scene.

  • Sport
  • Isaac Muk

On the sidelines with Rise United, the football club redefining Asian identity

Football, family style — Blending creativity on and off the pitch, the London ESEA+ grassroots team is providing its burgeoning community with spaces to express, and be, themselves.

  • Sport
  • Isaac Muk

Is the UK ready for a Kabaddi boom?

Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi — Watched by over 280 million in India, the breathless contact sport has repeatedly tried to grip British viewers. Ahead of the Kabaddi World Cup being held in Wolverhampton this month, Kyle MacNeill speaks to the gamechangers laying the groundwork for a grassroots scene.

  • Sport
  • Kyle MacNeill

In Bristol, pub singers are keeping an age-old tradition alive

Ballads, backing tracks, beers — Bar closures, karaoke and jukeboxes have eroded a form of live music that was once an evening staple, but on the fringes of the southwest’s biggest city, a committed circuit remains.

  • Music
  • Fred Dodgson

One year of Jeremy Corbyn’s Music for the Many

Photographer Emily-Jayne Nolan went down to Moth Club, Hackney to capture the anniversary show of Peace & Justice Project’s campaign to save grassroots music venues.

  • Activism
  • Ben Smoke

Grassroots football teams take a stand against racism

‘Racist fans are not fans‘ — In response to the abuse faced by Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, teams from across London gathered in solidarity with the England players.

  • Activism
  • Huck

How Philly's young activists are setting the political agenda

'We the youth are in control' — In Philadelphia, grassroots operations in communities of colour helped Biden secure the presidency. Now, they're determined to ensure the next four years bring transformational change.

  • Activism
  • Alex King

How you can help homeless people this Christmas without handing over money

People helping people — Gavyn Emery launched Keep Bristol Warm to encourage people to share clothes, time and love with the homeless, rather than cash - and he’s eager to see the idea spread across the UK.

  • Activism
  • Alex King

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck+ members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:
Black and white O'Neill logo in a bold, stylised font against a black background.
You've read articles this month Thanks for reading

Join Club Huck — it's free!

Valued Huck reader, thank you for engaging with our journalism and taking an interest in our dispatches from the sharp edge of culture, sport, music and rebellion.

We want to offer you the chance to join Club Huck [it's free!] where you will receive exclusive newsletters, including personal takes on the state of pop culture and media from columnist Emma Garland, culture recommendations, interviews and dispatches straight to your inbox.

You'll also get priority access to Huck events, merch discounts, and more fun surprises.

Already part of the club? Enter your email above and we'll get you logged in.