Promoter takes over St Albans venue The Horn where he had wedding

Danny Fullbrook Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire Luke Hinton and Rachel Hinton celebrated their wedding at St Albans Register Office before heading to The Horn, where they cut their wedding cake in the bar and took to the live music room for their first dance. Luke Hinton, a promoter with 18 years of experience at The Horn, has become co-owner of the venue. Adrian Bell, the long-time owner, gave staff the opportunity to take over before selling it. Luke expressed concern about potential conversion to a commuter-friendly gastro pub, aiming to preserve The Horn as a grassroots venue for local bands. The venue has hosted acts like U2, Bastille, and Yungblud since the 1960s. Luke founded Juicebox Live in 2007 to promote shows across the east of England, organizing all The Horn’s original music events since 2013. He envisions The Horn as a hub for developing behind-the-scenes talent, such as new music promoters. Luke is a vocal supporter of grassroots venues, citing their role in bringing people together and fostering community. He believes these spaces are essential for local music scenes and has consulted for the Music Venue Trust.