The Lubber Fiend is a non-profit music venue in Newcastle that opened in 2022 after several local venues closed. Founded by Sam Booth and Tom Hopkin, who initially joked about starting a venue to host their own band, it has since become a hub for live music, club nights, and community radio. The venue also includes a restaurant and kitchen, and its radio station, Slack’s Radio, is run by Booth, Hopkin, and Jon Cornbill on a not-for-profit basis. The Lubber Fiend is part of The Independent’s Main Stage initiative, which supports grassroots music venues across the UK. As part of the initiative, the venue will receive a feature in The Independent, £5,000 worth of advertising space, and design assets to use in their marketing and communications. The Lubber Fiend is planning a festival called New Ruins, scheduled for September 17–20, which they hope to turn into an annual event. They have also introduced a membership scheme to support the venue financially and are exploring the long-term potential of their restaurant to generate income. The primary goal is to keep the venue open, continue programming music they love, and support the grassroots music scene both locally and nationally. Running a music venue has not been without challenges. Booth noted that rising costs and lower disposable incomes among patrons, combined with a trend of reduced alcohol consumption, have made it harder for venues that rely on bar sales. To address this, the team is promoting their membership scheme as an alternative way for supporters to contribute without depending on drinking. Despite these challenges, Booth finds running the venue rewarding. He enjoys the music itself, the chance to work with friends, meeting talented and interesting people, and the autonomy that comes with the role. He also highlights opportunities outside the venue, such as running bars at the Supernormal Festival, and the satisfaction of hosting artists and doing something he cares about. Booth even admits to enjoying the food at the restaurant, though he jokes about its impact on his waistline.