From Crisis to Community: How The Cornish Bank is Reviving Local Music Venues

On a cold Wednesday, Falmouth is enjoying a peaceful calm night, with all the local shops tucked in for the evening. But outside The Cornish Bank, there is an excited crowd forming, eagerly waiting to see Australian folk, rock, and blues singer Kim Churchill take the stage. The atmosphere is lively and inviting, as this event brings the Falmouth community together. Local Cornish singer Isla Byrne will also join Kim, sharing a song with the audience and making the evening even more special.

The music industry has taken a severe hit in recent years, with reports indicating that up to 60% of venues closed in 2020, and almost half of the remaining venues have since reported financial losses. The decline of these spaces, particularly outside of urban centres, has led to a lack of accessible venues for up-and-coming musicians, local talent, and communities hungry for cultural connection. As much as cities like London have robust live music scenes, rural areas often lack the infrastructure to support music venues that can sustain themselves long-term.

This was the situation in Cornwall when Will Greenham and Rufus Maurice began to form their vision for The Cornish Bank. The two first met in 2018 while volunteering for a tree-planting project, and it wasn’t long before they discovered they shared a passion for music and the arts. Will, a musician and founder of Smuggler Records, had been running a record shop and organising festivals. Rufus, who owned land with a barn he used for hosting gigs, invited Will to perform with his band. Their shared experiences laid the groundwork for a partnership that would later lead to the creation of something much larger.

In 2019, Will and his partner found themselves feeling restless. They wanted to create something lasting that would have a real impact on Cornwall’s music and creative scene. While walking through Falmouth, they stumbled upon an empty building. It was then that they realised the space could be transformed into a community-driven arts venue, something Falmouth sorely lacked.

“I truly value the nurturing environment at The Cornish Bank,” Will says. “The ripples of inspiration here encourage the community to get creative and bring beautiful art together under one roof.”

The Cornish Bank’s founders envisioned a space that would support both local musicians and international artists. “It’s a venue large enough to draw international bands, but not so big that local musicians can’t come to play and experiment with their sound,” Will explains.

One of the biggest challenges for Will and Rufus was curating a diverse range of music that would appeal to a wide audience. As Will describes, “Attracting a diverse range of music was tough, but achieving that diversity is what makes this place special. Music is a powerful way to break down boundaries and unite people. For example, a funky band from Africa playing traditional instruments helps us understand the roots of music, which ultimately brings us closer together.”

Booking international bands, managing the venue’s expenses, and navigating the challenges of renting the building added significant pressure. “After almost losing the venue this year, we’ve gained strength through community support,” Will shares. “The work we’ve put into this space, including building additional areas, has opened my eyes to the changing landscape of the music industry. I’m now actively involved in national conferences to highlight the challenges facing independent music venues today.”

Alongside his work at The Cornish Bank, Will has continued to pursue his own musical endeavours. His band, Blind Yeo, was formed during the 2020 lockdown after another project was put on hold. With the support of The Cornish Bank’s residencies and community-driven atmosphere, Blind Yeo has grown from a fun side project into a serious musical venture. After releasing an EP, the band played at the Green Man Festival and has already lined up a booking agent for festivals in the coming year. “What began as a fun project has grown into something that inspires us every day,” Will says.

While The Cornish Bank has faced financial hurdles, it has become more than just a venue, it has become a cultural hub, offering a place for artists and musicians to share their work and find a sense of community. “We aim to be a voice for Cornwall, underscoring the importance of community spaces in rural areas,” he explains. “Having a music venue in town is just as important as having a library. It’s a place for people to come together, share ideas, and celebrate creativity.”

Looking ahead, Will envisions a future where The Cornish Bank is owned by the community itself, a sustainable, lasting resource for Cornwall’s artistic community. “We won’t stop until we reach this goal,” he affirms.

Gallery of promotional events at the Cornish Bank, as well as the previous and future gigs of Blind Yeo – Curated by Virginia Melodia