[rex_gallorum2]

There was a connection between deindustrialization in American cities (and the crappy property market in the 80s) and the music and arts scenes in the 80s and 90s. It was relatively cheap and easy to set up studios, galleries, music venues, or just squat in empty industrial buildings. Property owners were happy to have someone to keep the lights on and keep the bums out. Stages and makeshift bars were built out of scraps, and bands were booked, and people came. Music scenes used to require physical spaces (and arguably still do) to breathe and take shape.

I've watched interviews in which veteran musicians from one city in Texas describe how things developed in the 80s - it was all made possible by rock bottom rents and tons of empty warehouse space. I think the situation was similar across much of the US. Space was cheap enough to allow for low-profit activities and businesses to take root. The stakes were very low compared to today.

An analogous situation emerged in other places (in part for different reasons) such as the former East Berlin. I would guess similar circumstances also emerged in the UK around the same time - perhaps someone here can confirm.