we all know sheffield has had a good music history. but one thing troubles me, as an young musician i am amazed to find that the venues for up and coming bands in sheffield are limited to 3 or 4. this is a really hinderance to bands that are dying for a gig and some exposure, if a few more places opened up sheffield could again become a big music city that the politicians want it to be. the national centre for popular music was a flop maybe that could be put to good use. Also the few venues haven't got the equipment to support the bands actually playing, we have many music shops in sheffield, why cant these join together to provide some real oppertunities for experience on a well equiped stage.

please if anyone else feels like this or has any opinions on this please reply

Well, this is a category that I can truly answer honestly to. I'm the landlady of the Classic Rock Bar on Ecclesall Road and we host live bands and open mic nights. The reason that there aren't more venues letting bands play are mainly due to the licensing authorities restricting venues from doing so. Pubs are very tightly controlled. To have a DJ speak, to have someone dance or to have more than one musician get up and play you need a public entertainments licence which is £1375, payable to the Council. They then inspect the premises and decide if they will grant the licence - usually not - without lots of extra work being done on the building at the owners cost. If they won't let you have the licence you lose the money. Many pubs quietly, without advertising, have bands and break this rule but if pubs are caught they can be prosecuted and the licencee can be jailed.

Insurance is another thing. Business insurance starts for pubs, from about £150 per month. As soon as musical equipment is mentioned the premium rockets.

Pubs want to get customers throught he door, but the authorities and money making merchants will do anything they can to take the money away from the pubs and thus stop you having fun and developing talents.

This is why there are more and more pubs just playing background music, without a DJ, so they don't have to pay for the PEL. Instead they get clobbered by the PRS - who want money off them for background music instead to pay the artist. That's about £400 each year.

For music to return to pubs, the PEL needs to be dropped or greatly reduced in price. Lobby your MP.

that amazes me, i never thought that there is sooo many expentuitures involed. something needs change

please let me know if u guys are doin any gigs or events, we would be interested flick3uk@hotmail.com

thanks for the reply

There are gigs and events every night of the week, call in and pick up a flier or read the posters throughout the pub.

I here there is a licensing act going through at present to stop all live music in schools and colleges, in community centres and village and parish halls, and in private homes and gardens where private parties and weddings may be held.
This will have an enormously detrimental effect on musicians and live music performances it will seriously impinge on the folk community including folk music and traditional folk activities such as morris dancing, wassailing etc. £20,000 fine if not complying!!!!!

Sign the petition


http://www.petitiononline.com/2inabar/petition.html

thanks next time i am down in that part of town i will

again, how much are the local concils and state trying to wreck the chances of young talent.

the forum is a brill place

Do you know this thread is nearly 9 years old?

hi classic rock some of us dont get to town that often could you not start a thread to tell us who are on at you bar and what nights i dont think it would take a lot to do
they are some good bands playing every night of the week i would be happy to go to see bands mid week if i could find out who was playing
thanks
paul

I agree with the OP though. I really miss the boardwalk unfortunately there were nights when there just were not enough customers for it to pay its way. One band attracted 7, and I think some of these were known to him.

I just wish the academy would shampoo the carpet and the upstairs room has shocking sound.

The classic rock bar is showing on google as being the jolly buffer, which I thought has been demolished. Not seen listings on ents24 my usual bible.

The classic rock bar is showing on google as being the jolly buffer, which I thought has been demolished. Not seen listings on ents24 my usual bible.

The post from Classic Rock is from almost 9 years ago.

Oh dear. I feel old reading this. A very old thread.