The circuit:
the acts in a more intimate setting. We’re a far cry from the 02 Arena. “Maybe our booking policy is not as adventurous as it was when there was more money about, but we’re riding out the recession. As regards the changes in the licensing act, it will certainly cut out the red tape for a lot of operators, but it’s really too early to say what the overall effect will be. There are other factors that come into play.” Brighton & Hove on the South Coast, home of the Great Escape festival, boasts an estimated 500 active performing bands and there is a fair spread of venues catering for them. At the smaller capacity end of the scale, The Neptune Music Bar on Hove seafront has established itself as one of the more popular. Neptune booker and
promoter Andy Clarke reports regular full houses on their main music evenings – Fridays and Sundays. “We are regularly full to bursting,” says Clarke, “and our acts cover a broad spectrum of musical styles. We are widening the scope of music we put on, trying to get more local bands on and I’d like to get some jazz back in. Essentially we have no solid music policy, we wouldn’t have an electronic techno band. But if it’s good and it floats people’s boats we’ll put it on. And I don’t just draw on my personal taste. I can’t stand Bob Dylan or Neil Young but I know a lot do and if there’s a band that ploughs that sort of furrow and is in demand, we’ll go with it. “My philosophy is don’t
expect the bands to bring a following. I want people to have the attitude, ‘I’m going to the Neptune tonight I don’t know who’s on but it will be good’.
That’s what we are working towards. People like the variety we offer.”
The closure of a couple of
nearby venues has no doubt helped the Neptune’s cause. And the changes in the Licensing Act? “Forgive the pun, but that’s music to my ears.” Another venue that is
enjoying relatively good times is The Market Inn in Faversham, Kent, which refurbished its live music facilities thanks to winning the 2011 Music Makeover competition organised by PRS for Music. (The 2012 Makeover winners will be announced shortly). For some years, the pub’s main
source of entertainment was sporting activities but due to a heavy increase in broadcast fees, they made the decision to move into the realm of live music instead. With the introduction of open- mic nights to the pub, along with other musical events including The Hop Festival, The Market Inn has started to become a music venue in its own right. The money from PRS for Music has allowed for new equipment including new PA system, staging and a backdrop which will help to encourage more bands to play and use it as a venue. Manager David Pott says: “The prize money has been a great boost for the pub and the community, and we have put it to good use.” In fact, the venue now has a long waiting list of bands wanting to play there, while the 2012 Hop Festival is scheduled for the first weekend of September.
QUALITY SOUND Integrators and manufacturers obviously keep a close eye on the changing fortunes of the various live sound sectors. Colin
Pattenden, who via his CP Sound has been installing sound systems in venues of all sizes for many years, says that business is buoyant in the ‘small venues’ sector, but notes that it’s not just
areas to attract more custom,” he says. “There have been cut- backs, but the majority of clients appreciate that there is little point in skimping. You need quality, reliable equipment.”
“The success of live music depends on small venues where bands and songwriters can learn their craft and play to small audiences before they move on in their musical careers" Robert Ashcroft, PRS for Music
traditional music pubs that are installing PA systems and associated technology. “A lot of restaurants and clubs are also establishing dedicated live sound
CP’s credits include Waxy O’Connor’s Irish pub in London’s West End, Bootsy Brogan's bars in Fulham and Wembley and, further afield,
Barnaby Joe’s live music club in Bahrain. “Every project is different,” adds Pattenden, “but they all want good quality sound – and so do the punters. They are not going to tolerate inferior sound for long. In an increasingly competitive market, you’ve got to get it right.” Sam Brandon, project engineering manager at distributor Sound Technology, reports steady business across the live sector – “from O’Neills bars to superclubs”, and he echoes Pattenden’s view on quality. “We are getting a lot of enquiries from venues wanting to upgrade the system they’ve been using for years. Products like the popular JBL Eon series are not the cheapest in a crowded market, but they work in a crowded hot sweaty pub. Inferior products just don’t deliver.” The law may change, but quality never goes out of fashion. PSNLIVE 201
NOT YOUR BOG-STANDARD SMALL VENUE NME awarded the title of Britain’s best
small venue for 2012 to Tunbridge Wells Forum. The venue, which can hold up to 250 people, was once a public toilet and has hosted groups including Oasis and Coldplay, celebrates its 20th anniversary next year. The Forum triumphed out of a
shortlist of 10 venues from around the country, including Bristol Thekla, the Stoke Sugarmill, Norwich Arts Centre
www.prosoundnewseurope.com
and the Belfast Limelight. Jason Dormon, who co-founded
The Forum, says the award was testament “to all those who have put so much time and effort into making the venue what it is”. Tunbridge’s reputation may even
have helped. “It’s a bastion of middle class England in Tunbridge Wells. That helps as people can rebel here and really stand out,” Dormon adds.
PSNLIVE 2012 l 41
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