Live Music???

[onemanband]

Hi All
I was just wondering how everyone is coping in these troubled times.

Pubs, clubs and hotels failing and closing at an alarming rate, thus reducing the number of venues offering live music. This affects us all of course as there are fewer gigs to go around.

I have always been an avid supporter of live music but I'm very disappointed that in many cases nowadays, what is promoted as "live" is nothing more than karaoke, in which case I normally make a quick exit!

I'm lucky, I have a decent agent who keeps me ticking over with enough work to support my living but I have noticed that numbers in many venues are declining too, (and I believe this also may be due to peoples despair at this regular s..t "karaoke" entertainment being dished up).

Over the years I've made a living from busking and playing indoor venues in Europe and the UK, and had a good time doing so, but I fear for the future

Come on, offer me some inspiration!!!

Cheers............Brian

[MIKE 450]

Back in 1989 my band was booked in at one of the biggest gigs in N.Ire Kellys Hotel in Potrush. We where very excited about the gig -- done are sound check then went into the town for dinner.

On are return to the gig things where looking up, hundreads of car's where lined up the road screaming girls everywhere. It seemed that the whole of Ireland had come to see the newly crowned kings of the Rock&PoP awards.

But they where not there to see us they where going to THE RAVE. Six hundread almost naked mad idiot's wiped out of there heads where dancing in a scene -I'll never forget. "I was tempted to join them"

Are band had worked hard very hard for ten years and there we stood with our pints in hand- the gig was called off. We played anyway--but there was no one there except a few friends. After an hour of playing we packed it in and went to see the mad RAVERS.

We all went back to Belfast with our tails between are legs, it was the end of Rock bands. I left my band like many other guys, Rave's took over.

I'll get back to you Brain on a more positive note I'm just goig out.

[adhamh]

Take a trip down to Dundalk. We some amazing live music venues like The Spirit Store!
Live music is very much ALIVE AND KICKING!!!
Thank God for that!
Unfortunately I've not been lucky enough to make a living from my music yet, but there are still several places around the area where people will pack in to hear live music.
I think live music has recently become cool again amongst local young people.
So I have nothing but positive things to say!

[MIKE 450]

Thanks Adhamh, I hope I'm not going on stage after you!

Yes Adhamh I agree there are thousands of gigs if your not looking for money. But I think onemanband plays for a living as I used to to.

Having said that my advice to onemanband is Kick the Karaoke in the teeth by hosting your own night of acoustic music--your local landlord will love it.

Asking for money at the door is always a no no-it's all about bums on seats selling drink. Ask the landlord for £80 and pass round a jar if all's going well. If say the tuesday nights a success then go for friday night.

Agents in Ireland are called Mr 20% great if your U2 but when times are hard--times are hard-lol. The trouble with local bars is they'll let any cowboy play- it's up to you to wipe the decks with the local cowboys.

This means not playing your own stuff man! and learning to take request's.But then I'm sure you already know this onemanband, but I'm talking now to anyone hoping to earn a few BOB.

If I'd a penny for every time I'd play for nothing.

[onemanband]

Hi fellas, good to know there are still some folks who DO care, perhaps I should move to Ireland......a lovely country!!

I have been fortunate enought to make a living playing some self penned stuff (although not that confident) that I drop in from time to time amongst mostly covers (Dylan/Beatles/Eagles/Simon&Garfunkel/CSN&Y etc).

I was going to try to do an "Avalon" open night at my local (see one of my previous threads), but unfortunately that pub too has become a victim of the recession!

Thanks for your response guys; I was hoping for better but perhaps after all, even though there's not a lot we can do about the global economy, many just don't give a s**t!
This isn't sour grapes as I'm still hanging on in there enjoying playing; I'm just alarmed at the decline in small LIVE entertainment venues, the starting point for many potential great young bands and singer songwriters etc.

Cheers............Brian

[Ross A]

In my neck of the woods it would seem that starting an acoustic night is the last throw of the dice before the pub/venue closes down. So as soon as a place gets a good reputation, it either changes hands or closes.

Maybe if the people running these places hadn't rested on their laurels for so long and tried a few different things out, they wouldn't have run into financial difficulty.

[Loki]

We are very lucky in having The Real Music Club in Belfast. It uses a few venues but generally is based in the Errigle pub.

Not always what you think of as pub acts though ---- thanks to its great connections I have seen people like Tom Paxton, Steve Earle, Tom Russell, Eric Taylor, Peter Mulvey and many more up close, personal and entirely acoustic in small intimate venues

[MIKE 450]

Yeah Loki dead right the Old Errigle -- I used to play there a lot,and still love go to see quality acts. I must say we do have loads of clubs&pubs that have live acoustic acts.

Bar's are ideal for one or two guys playing acoustic's.I think most people would agree that the small intimate venues are often the best.