Dedicated to the Business of Contemporary Live Music
From the city’s largest venues to some of the smallest, there seems to be an enthusiasm for what this new year will bring, both in terms of successful events and new talent emerging though its grassroots scene. Allan Glen reports Betting on the success of a new act is, and…
Read moreIt may have been UK City of Culture status in 2017 that raised Hull’s international profile, but it’s local promoters who are taking the city’s music scene forward. With two new venues opening this year alone – and one of its longest-serving clubs hitting the headlines this month, this is…
Read moreA few months ago, some would have you believe there is a crisis in Cardiff’s music scene but, as one leading promoter suggests, there’s just been some realignment in the sector and things are again thriving across mutiple venues, from stadium down to entry level. Allan Glen reports What a…
Read moreIt’s the city whose musical eclecticism is legendary. Synth-pop, indie-rock, classic soul – you name it, Sheffield’s promoters were probably the first to put it on. Allan Glen talks to the industry figures who are aiming to take their city to the next level. Few cities in the UK can…
Read moreLong gone are the days when Nottingham was best known as the city that hauled a local record store boss in front of magistrates for displaying the Sex Pistols’ album Never Mind The Bollocks. Today’s city is multi-cultural, vibrant and buzzing – with promoters and events to match. Allan Glen…
Read moreGeographically sandwiched between heavyweight music cities Sheffield and Nottingham does not make life easy for promoters and venue operators in the city, but their determination to put Lincoln on the touring map is paying off, from 20,000-capacity events down to the grassroots scene. Allan Glen reports It’s perhaps fair to…
Read moreFrom John Mayall and Take That to the Gallagher brothers and The Stone Roses, Manchester has produced some of the world’s most popular artistes. And a sure sign of its community spirit is that many of them have rallied in support of the city’s recovery from the Manchester Arena bombing…
Read moreIf there is a crisis in grassroots venues across the UK then the industry has forgotten to tell promoters in Newcastle. From new venues and festivals opening to emerging acts breaking nationally, the city is buzzing. Allan Glen reports Never let it be said that North-East promoters don’t know how…
Read moreThe biggest obstacle to artistes visiting Belfast from the mainland is the Irish Sea and then its closest competitor is Dublin two hours drive to the south, which sometimes attracts artistes that just want to do one big show on the island. Otherwise the city is buzzing, with significant investment…
Read moreIt may be fate, or just the result of passion and hard work, but there is undoubtedly a renewed sense of confidence among promoters and venue operators, supported by multi-million-pound refurbishments, more shows and a plethora of local talent emerging. Allan Glen reports If in the business of live music,…
Read moreWhether it’s in the castle, concert halls, theatres, pubs or makeshift venues during the annual summer festival, Edinburgh moves to the sound of live music every day of the year, despite lacking an arena and venues in the large club sector. Allan Glen reports “Edinburgh promoters – putting the…
Read moreWith venues in the Highlands and Islands often hundreds of miles, and a ferry trip, apart, to sell tickets in the region it’s important to know what works – and what doesn’t. Fortunately for those acts looking to tour this most remote of UK locations, there are several promoters and…
Read moreWith such an illustrious musical history, a popular arena and a conference and festival that highlights its finer points, Liverpool is one of the best-known music cities in the world. But that doesn’t mean its music scene isn’t facing some challenges, as Allan Glen reports “Is Liverpool really a…
Read moreWith several larger cities such as Plymouth, Bristol and Bournemouth relatively nearby, Exeter may not be the first choice for acts touring through the South West, but hope of a long-awaited new venue, growing festival sector and a burgeoning emerging artiste scene could soon change that. Allan Glen reports …
Read moreAs Scotland’s fourth largest city, Dundee has played a significant role in developing Scottish talent over the years and from what its promoters and venue operators say, its enjoying something of a resurgence. Allan Glen reports It may have been ‘jam, jute and journalism’ that put Dundee on the…
Read moreGone are the days when Quadrophenia was the soundtrack of the mods and rockers’ seafront battles of the late-‘60s in Brighton. Today it is home to an emerging music scene to rival any major city in the UK, a world-renowned festival and several ambitious independent promoters, with a host of…
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