Buckley's Tivoli earns praise from the First Minister as it welcomes Reef on tour

Few venues in North East Wales have a reputation quite like the Tivoli in Buckley, and this autumn it was given a shout-out in the Senedd.

During First Minister's questions, Marc Jones MS named the Tivoli and The Rockin' Chair in Wrexham as great grassroots music venues that give artists the chance to grow and support creative and economic growth. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said he knew the Buckley venue well. "It's good to hear that the Tivoli is still there," he said, adding that it was about a quarter of a century since he had been and calling it "a great venue". He declared an interest as somebody who has "played on many a stage myself and realises the value of these venues".

The Tivoli continues to attract touring bands. Reef, the Glastonbury-formed rock band known for their top ten anthem Place Your Hands, brought their 14-date autumn tour to Buckley on 24 October. Fronted by Gary Stringer alongside bassist Jack Bessant, with drummer Luke Bullen and guitarist Amy Newton, the band have sold more than three million albums.

"Our live shows recently have been some of the best of our career, and we are excited about travelling the country again this autumn," Gary said ahead of the tour.

The venue's place in local history runs deep. When the Buckley Society appealed for memories of the Tivoli as part of a heritage project, secretary Paul Davies recalled how well known the place had become since it became a nightclub in the 1960s. Former Radio 2 presenter David Hamilton gigged there as a DJ early in his career, he noted, and Oasis are among the famous names who have played there.

The society asked people to share old tickets, flyers, photographs, autographs and anecdotes, a sign of just how many people in Flintshire have their own Tivoli story.

Grassroots venues like the Tivoli are where many bands cut their teeth, and where local audiences can see touring acts without making the trip to Manchester or Liverpool.

The Tivoli is on Brunswick Road in Buckley. For upcoming gigs and tickets, visit tivolivenue.com.