Mike Baxter, the owner of Gonzo’s Tea Room, is looking to shine a spotlight on more local artists this year at Gonzo’s Two Room, a music venue in the building’s basement.
It’s stage has hosted musicians such as SHERELLE and Craig Richards and has been nominated again for Grassroots Venue of the Year, a BBC Radio One Dance Award.
Mr Baxter hopes that his small but well-known venue will help to put more musicians on the map.
Inside Gonzo’s Two Room (Image: Emily-Rose Thompson)
He said: “We’re so excited to have been nominated once again.
“Our goal is to continue to launch local artists to the national stage while also hosting some of the best and biggest touring talent in the world.
“After our huge, surprise win last year, we’re still the massive underdogs in this race.
Mike Baxter, the owner of Gonzo’s Tea Room (Image: Ash Chaudri)
“Gonzo’s Two Room has a 200-person capacity.
“Once again, we’re up against some venues that have capacities in the thousands.”
Other nominees include Amber’s in Manchester, the Warehouse in Leeds and Corsica Studios in London.
Last year, Gonzo’s Two Room won Radio One’s Best Venue in Europe award.
The site in London Street (Image: Emily-Rose Thompson)
Mr Baxter said: “To be back here again is an absolute dream.
“This was a crazy year.
“We moved the venue to a new space downstairs just months after winning the award, which was terrifying.
“Grassroots venues like us need your help.
“It’s not just Gonzo’s and our staff that earn the nomination, it’s Norwich.
“We hear all the time from artists that the crowd here is amazing.”
Voting for the award closes on February 13 at 7pm and the winners will be announced on Radio One Dance from 8pm on February 20.