“Did you mean too? Did you leave me on the corner of the street?” Baker Street – Bitchin’ Hour

Oh shit, posting AGAIN. She must be back lads.. and with the music content… it’s like Kiss Of Beth’s in 2018. Vintage.

If you didn’t know, I, myself, am one of those musicians that plays live shows up and down the country with my pretty cool band, Bitchin’ Hour. Without people turning up to shows and checking out what we do, we wouldn’t be able to do the whole live show shit we do. In fact, have a lovely photo taken of me by Rob C while I was doing that drumming thing I do and yes my hat does say big dick is back in town.

As I write part of this, I am sat in my local venue, The Lounge Bar in Alton waiting to see Väin Wild (a local band out of Hampshire) take the stage in The Launch Pad heat of the week. (They won in case you wondering and we have learnt lead guitarist Tim doesn’t know how to shut the fuck up, however their new addition Hugh on drums.. well the band has just hit the sound they deserve to be at. Well done, for being annoyingly better than you should be. Drop the cockiness 😉)

The room is buzzing and after three wonderful acts, we have all been able to see some new bands that we wouldn’t have had the chance to see before. Every time I can, I’ll potter down to one of my local venues and check out what’s on. Why? Because supporting live music is even more important than it has ever been.

Venues are closing down left, right and centre.

Festivals are being forced to close their doors because of increased rising costs.

If we don’t use them, we lose them.

That’s it simply.

You may not know any of the bands on the line up, but if you don’t take a chance and check out the show – how will you ever know if you missed out on finding your new favourite. I, for one, have met some incredible people at different live venues across the UK and got to see each of them take the stage and smash it beyond anything I could have thought possible for a ticket I picked up for £6. (Looking at you Fred Irwin – Pabs B, Jake Willcock and Tom OH, just to name a couple)

In the Music Venue Trust’s 2024 annual report, it’s raised concerns once again about the ongoing challenges with in this sector. Direct from the report it states “One of the most concerning trends to have emerged from this report is the huge decline in locations on the UK’s primary and secondary touring circuits. In the 30 year period between 1994 and 2024 those touring locations have collapsed, with an average tour in 1994 including 22 dates and the equivalent tour in 2024 consisting of only 11 dates. Furthermore, touring in 1994 was spread across a range of 28 different locations across the country. In 2024, just 12 locations, all of them major cities, remained as primary and secondary touring circuit stops, acting as regular hosts to grassroots tours.” We are losing places at a rapid place for bands to tour, what happens when your favourite band only has the choice of touring 6 venues and all of them are on the brink of closing. How are band’s meant to tread the boards of venues and cut their teeth and grow in their craft.

I dare you, google your local venue or even one a bit further out and find a show that you don’t know any of the acts on, buy a fucking ticket and go see it. I guarantee you’ll find a band you like and you might even make a few friends and if you decide you want to head down to my local venue, well – there is a high chance I’ll be there, so you get to see me also, what an added bonus.

In the spirit of discovery, I am now going to provide you with a list of venues, festivals and bands that I think you should check out because you might discover your new favourite. It’s not many but it’s what and who make my heart happy. If I haven’t included you here, it’s not because I hate you, it’s because I am writing the rest of this on the train and the WiFi sucks.

BANDS

• Strayers – Check their Spotify here and Insta here
• All Ears Avow – Check their Spotify here and Insta here
• Väin Wild – Check their Spotify here and Insta here
• Creature Creature – Check their Spotify here and Insta here
• Personal Barb – Check their Insta here

VENUES

• The Lounge Bar, Alton – Check upcoming events and tickets here
• The Railway Inn, Winchester – Check upcoming events and tickets here
• Suburbia, Southampton – Check upcoming events and tickets here

FESTIVALS

• RADAR Festival, Machester – Check out their website, line up and pick up tickets here
• Burn It Down Festival, Torquay – Check out their website, line up and pick up tickets here

At the end of the day, what I am really trying to say is, if you value live music and the scene in general, step your pussy up and go to a fucking show.

It’s not that hard.

Ok, Love you, bye xoxoxoxoox

Cover photo taken at the Lounge Bar – Alton, 24th Jan 2025 by Hayley Brown. Featured in the image are Väin Wild and Blank Xpression.