Cardiff’s Porter’s Bar celebrates national Music Makeover award win
Music Makeover prize includes £10,000 sound system upgrade and expert advice from world-renowned music producer Steve Levine
Cardiff’s Porter’s Bar and the all-star local team behind its beer pumps has been named winner of PRS for Music’s national Music Makeover Pub competition. The hidden Harlech Court gem beat more than 200 pubs across the UK, trumping pubs from Glasgow to Cornwall for the sought after accolade due to the pubs talented musical staff and their vision to give customers the best possible music experience.
As well as an upgrade to the music set-up, which includes a bespoke music consultancy from globally renowned producer Steve Levine (The Clash, Beach Boys), the prize also included a gold disc presentation, which took place last week (Thursday 13 July).
PRS for Music launched the annual Music Makeover competition seven years ago to raise awareness of the important impact music can have on local businesses and to showcase those businesses that use music to its maximum effect.
Porter’s is an established creative hub in Cardiff, with events ranging from theatre productions to comedy nights, while also offering a platform to local and emerging musicians. Many of the staff are artists themselves, creating a welcoming environment for performers and customers alike. Up against stiff competition, Porter's Bar was ultimately awarded the top prize due to the Manager's enthusiasm.
As part of the celebrations, PRS for Music held a special launch party, followed by live performances from Welsh acts Sweet Baboo (BBC) and Kizzy Crawford (BBC) at Porter’s. Both acts are members of PRS for Music, the collecting society that represents the rights of over two million songwriters, composers and music publishers across the globe through its networks. Sweet Baboo has also previously been funded by the PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading funder of new music and talent development across all genres.
We're delighted, surprised and humbled to be the winners of this year's Music Makeover. We will use this fantastic prize to give back to all the artists and good people who are the lifeblood of not only this venue but also this city. Thank you so much PRS for Music!
I was really impressed with the entry from Porter's Bar due to their passion, knowledge and understanding of the Music Makeover competition. We can't wait to see what the £10,000 Music Makeover will achieve in their fantastic venue and I have no doubt that they will be one of the leading live music venues in Cardiff.
PRS for Music launched the annual Music Makeover competition seven years ago, starting with the pub sector, before launching in hair and beauty a year later. More recently, as the competition has grown, PRS for Music has opened Music Makeover up to restaurants and fashion retailers. The aim of the competition is to showcase and raise awareness of how important music is to local businesses; from the quality of the sound system, to acoustics, volume and playlists, music has a huge impact on both customers and staff.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For media enquiries, photos, interview requests and further information, please contact:
Coral Williamson, Communications Executive, PRS for Music:
Coral.Williamson@prsformusic.com / 020 3741 4777
About PRS for Music
PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 165,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, it works diligently on behalf of its members to grow and protect the value of their rights. With a focus on innovation and integrity, PRS for Music is redefining the global standard for music royalties to ensure creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2022, PRS for Music collected £964m and paid out £836.2m in royalties. prsformusic.com
About the Staff at Porter’s Bar
Porter’s Bar is run by creatives, for creatives. Manager Lewis Morgan is in two bands; Colours of One featured on Huw Stephen's BBC Radio 1 show and BBC Radio Wales' Artist of the Week segment, while Red Room Therapy has played the BBC Introducing stage at Lakefest as well as at Liverpool Sound City festival. Elsewhere among the staff, Ellis Walker is the bassist of a band called Mellt, who have also featured on BBC Radio Wales and had live sessions from Maida Vale studios broadcast on Huw Stephens' show after being successful applicants for BBC's Horizons scheme. Employee Ellen Thomas has worked with the BBC via the It's My Shout training scheme and last year directed a short film called Tin Dancing Shoes, which was broadcast on BBC 2. This year she will star in her third film with the BBC, to be broadcast this autumn. Aspiring actor Phillip Jones will be attending drama school this autumn in London and Ashley Roberts has worked in the art department and on set design for TV favourites Casualty, Doctor Who, Russell Howard's Good News and Not Going Out.
