The stunning announcement has been met with a wave of disappointment from performers and guests alike
Historical past is repeating itself for a beloved dwell music venue within the coronary heart of Cardiff, as The New Moon has introduced that it will likely be closing its doorways for good on the finish of the month.
Previously referred to as The Moon, the venue reopened earlier this 12 months with a recent identification beneath the management of Matt Cutrupi, who can be behind Bunkhouse Hostel and DnB Bar on St Mary’s Avenue. The relaunch aimed to breathe new life into an area many in Cardiff’s music scene thought of important.
The unique venue, The Moon, closed all of a sudden in November 2024, with its former workforce citing the price of dwelling disaster and rising operating prices as the ultimate straw. Its return as The New Moon sparked hope and pleasure, notably amongst impartial artists and gig-goers.
Chatting with WalesOnline earlier this 12 months, Matt mirrored on the venue’s legacy and the hope behind its rebirth: “The Moon earlier than it shut was internet hosting a load of occasions however not essentially much like those we’re doing. And when it shut, clearly everybody was fairly unhappy about it.
“The dwell music facet of it has been going rather well. We’re getting a great deal of folks turning as much as occasions. The venue’s packed out, so there’s undoubtedly a necessity for it – we have been placing artists on, a few of them have not even carried out in Cardiff as a result of there’s simply nowhere to play this form of music.”
Nonetheless, regardless of early optimism, The New Moon workforce confirmed that the venue will stop buying and selling on October 31, citing a well-known set of challenges. By no means miss a Cardiff story by signing as much as our day by day e-newsletter right here
“Because of altering circumstances, we are going to not be persevering with to commerce at 3 Womanby Avenue,” the workforce shared. “This resolution has not been made calmly. We now have made this resolution as a result of gradual commerce, rising bills, and an unsecured tenancy.”
Whereas they nonetheless imagine the venue has “big potential,” the workforce revealed that they’ve chosen to shift their focus towards different tasks, together with BNKHSE and DIFF Radio.
They went on to precise deep gratitude to everybody who supported the venue. The assertion continued: “We want to thank everybody for his or her help throughout our journey and in addition say thanks for all of the suggestions and perception which we are going to use on our journey at BNKHSE and DIFF Radio.
“We would additionally wish to thank our landlord who gave us the chance to try to make the venue work at the start of the 12 months; our inhouse employees who stored the place operating; our suppliers and contractors who allowed us to get the doorways open and commerce; and at last, to the performers who caught with us and confirmed how passionate they’re about this metropolis.”
Although The New Moon’s return was temporary, its presence reaffirmed the demand for grassroots, various music areas in Cardiff. The announcement has been met with a wave of disappointment from performers and guests alike.
One particular person wrote: “This place and avenue has been one of many longest serving helps to various music and native artists. For the perfect a part of fifteen years you’ve been a dependable supply of some lovely tradition and vital musical moments.
“Thanks to the administration and employees for supporting Welsh and native music. Absolute champions for soldiering on so long as you have got. Fingers crossed this isn’t the tip of an period however the begin of one thing else.”
One other added: “Very unhappy information – your venue has been an actual place for platforming artists.”
A 3rd particular person wrote: “That is horrible information however completely understood given the present local weather – wishing everybody all the perfect finest for the long run.”
