Magazine: BBC INTRODUCING - February 2012

I can’t think of a time in the past 15 years where there have been fewer opportunities for original musicians to play in Ipswich. And as for the prospects of any credible or interesting touring bands coming our way, I’d say they were limited. It’s certainly ironic that the timing of this flat-lining coincides with the continued rise of Ed Sheeran. With four Brit nominations and a number one album to his name, he’s likely to become the county’s most successful export. But he leaves behind him something of a wasteland, where there are too few options and too much emphasis placed on tribute bands. But there’s hope.  Isn’t there? 

It’s not obvious but maybe things have got so dire that it’s inconceivable that they can plummet further. And then there’s the local talent, and that’s where the faith has to lie as there’s an abundance of it. But support is required and possibly a chance of culture. The Ipswich public needs to show they place a value on live music and that they’re willing to pay for gigs. Or, promoters and venues need to shake things up – have some original ideas to attract people to shows. 

With Uprock at The Swan we introduced the Social Club, where we waived an admission fee and instead had collection pots on the bar. People were invited to pay as little or as much as they liked. Inevitably, some paid nothing, but there were enough people who believed in what we were doing and wanted more of the same that they put their hands in their pockets and made the nights a great success. That isn’t to say that the council and powers that be are absorbed of the blame. They are proposing that £12m be spent on an arts centre in the town, but live music will not be part of the plans, or a prominent part at least. And they also have at their disposal the Corn Exchange, which has all the right ingredients as well as the history to partly fill the void. To the council’s credit they have partly acknowledged this and are inviting people to look around the venue in February and share ideas on how the space could be better used. Pair this with a recent bout of activity on Facebook discussing the need, possible locations and business models for a new live music venue in the town and maybe there is hope things could be on the up.

Richard Haugh