Popular live music venue in MK releases remake of Bridge Over Troubled Water to stave off closure

An independent live music venue in MK has released its own single in a bid to stave off closure due to the effects of lockdown.

Unit Nine owners Dom Rampello and Jamie Stimpson hand-picked singers to remake the Simon and Garfunkel classic Bridge Over Troubled Water.

The singers range from from professional to amateurs and students and the youngest is just 15

Unit Nine, which is at Old Wolverton, has its own recording studios but these are out of bounds due to lockdown restrictions, so each singer recorded their own piece from home or in their car.

Many used the video on their mobile phones, said Jamie, but the end result is highly impressive.

Callum Ryan from Kick Media offered his services free of charge to help put together a music video to go along with the release.

"With a complete mix of ages on the track, the song and video offers a sense of togetherness and understanding and a real raw visual edge during these testing times," said Jamie.

You can see the video and listen to the song here The release is being used to raise awareness and money for what is happening to live music venues across the UK.

Meanwhile Unit Nine has launched a crowdfunding bid to raise the £24,500 it needs to stay open after lockdown. So far it has raised £2,421.

Jamie said: "Our venue faces closure because with no income and ever growing bills to pay, the inevitable is in front of us. We have no idea how long this will go on for which is scary to say the least. The Government grant has been welcomed with open arms but it does not touch the sides overall."

He added: "Your donations will be used to help keep up with all costs associated with running a venue, even when the doors are closed.

"If we hit our target, and we can prevent the closure of our venue, everything above the amount we need will be donated to the Music Venue Trust GMV Crisis Fund to protect other venues just like ours, right across the country.

"You can donate to Unit Nine's fund here.