Marshall has launched the Made of Loud Tour, a new live music initiative that puts Cancer Bats, Knives and Ignite on the road across 16 independent UK venues this October while funding lasting upgrades at grassroots spaces. Tickets are on sale now via cancerbats.com.
The run launches alongside Cancer Bats’ new album Give Me Dirt and the 10th anniversary of Marshall Records. It is also being framed as a direct response to the squeeze on independent rooms. Music Venue Trust’s Annual Report 2025 found that 30 grassroots music venues closed for good last year, while 175 towns and cities across the UK no longer get regular touring shows by professional artists.
Shows run from 12 to 31 October, starting at The Booking Hall in Dover and finishing with a Halloween date at London’s Electric Brixton. Marshall says the tour is designed to take live music to fans while creating lasting value for the venues, artists and communities that keep grassroots music going.
At the centre of the project is cash for venue led improvements. Marshall is working with owners on dressing room and green room refurbishments, backstage upgrades, custom stage backdrops, branding and infrastructure work meant to still be in place long after the last encore. Named recipients include The Joiners in Southampton, The Cavern in Exeter, The Fleece in Bristol and The Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes.
Marshall Group CMO Nick Street said: “Grassroots venues are closing faster than they are opening. The Marshall ‘Made of Loud’ Tour funds real improvements in the venues, upgrades that will still be there long after the tour ends. Marshall would not exist without independent venues and the musicians who play them. This is us listening to what they actually need and acting on it.”
Craufurd Arms owner Max Harvey said Marshall has long backed events and supplied kit for new and upcoming bands. “That’s what grassroots venues are all about. Live music is the lifeblood of our community, and we’re passionate about nurturing the culture and the scene here in Milton Keynes. It’s great to see Marshall putting something back into independent venues through Made of Loud.”
Cancer Bats’ two decade career has been built on the independent circuit, and the band will use the dates to spotlight venues, promoters, staff, volunteers and fans. Liam Cormier said: “We are so excited to kick off the first ever MADE OF LOUD TOUR! We’re playing some of our all-time favourite cities across the UK in the best venues! These independent spaces are what keeps the UK scene alive and kicking and we’re so stoked to be hitting so many of our fave spots! On top of all that we are bringing an amazing bunch of bands with Ignite and Knives! THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST TOUR EVER!!!”
Knives said they would never have got here without independent rooms, including early shows at Moles in Bath, which closed in 2023. “That’s why Made of Loud means a lot to us. It’s so good to see a company directly support our music scene and it’s encouraging to know there are people in our corner who make us feel heard.”
A dedicated content series will look at why independent venues matter, the problems they face and the impact of Marshall’s backing, as part of the company’s Keep Live Music Alive work. Marshall will also go back to venues after the tour to track the longer term effect of the programme. The campaign sits alongside Marshall Amplify, which commits an amount equal to 1% of member purchases on marshall.com, starting with independent music venues. More details are at marshall.com/amplify.
Made of Loud Tour 2026 dates:
- 12 October: Dover, The Booking Hall
- 13 October: Brighton, Chalk
- 15 October: Exeter, The Cavern
- 16 October: Falmouth, Princess Pavilion
- 17 October: Southampton, The Joiners
- 18 October: Plymouth, The Depo
- 20 October: Bristol, The Fleece
- 21 October: Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
- 22 October: Milton Keynes, Craufurd Arms
- 24 October: Birmingham, The Asylum
- 25 October: Manchester, Gorilla
- 26 October: Newcastle, Anarchy Brew Co
- 28 October: Glasgow, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
- 29 October: Leeds, The Key Club
- 30 October: Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
- 31 October: London, Electric Brixton
Add as a preferred source