Ciaran Lavery announced as new patron of Music Venue Trust alongside Norman Cook and more

Ciaran Lavery has been announced as a new patron of the Music Venue Trust alongside Norman Cook, Jamie Cullum, and Chris Hawkins.

The Music Venue Trust is a UK charity that focuses on protecting and improving grassroots muisc venues. The charity helps benefit communities, growing artists, and local venues.

MVT COO Beverly Whitrick explains the role these artists have played in uplifting grassroots venues.

"Artists and broadcasters have played a hugely important role in helping us build understanding of why grassroots music venues matter and why they need protecting," she said.

"Norman, Jamie, Chris and Ciaran have all been doing that work with us for some time, so making them official patrons is really about recognising that contribution and saying thank you. Their voices help us reach audiences, communities and decision-makers that MVT could never reach alone."

 

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Ciaran Lavery took part in MVT's Annual Report event at Stormont in April.

"It is an honour to become a patron of Music Venue Trust and have the opportunity to help protect the grassroots music scene here in Belfast and across Northern Ireland," he said. "I believe MVT’s work can strengthen not only the health of venues, but the wider thriving music scene here."

The Irish singer-songwriter released an EP, Trophy Wife Tapes, Vol. 1, with Sir Jude in March 2026. He also featured on AOIBHA's single 'Albatross', released in June 2026.