Agreed. The town music scene is falling on its arse. In my experience as a band member, I've stopped asking people to come see our shows, Its embarasing to make them pay the £4 entry for what they actually get. Fair enough, bands need a chance to get out on stage at a lower level and I'm fucking greatfull for some of the initial shit gigs I played in bands that helped me get to where I am now. But for 4 quid, No dj, No compare (a dying act), Shit venues with Shit sound (sorry dog and parrot, that pokey upstairs room where no one ever feels comfortable, is wanktoast.), I cant help but feeling certain promoters are laughing all the way to the bank.

There was a venue we used to play in Durham that paid us £80 for a night of bands (we usually split it evenly between bands after PA costs), this venue has let in one of these promoter types to do the band promoting and the result was immature bands being booked that didnt turn up, emergency cobbled together solo acoustic act (KILL ME NOW IT WAS PAINFULL) who was paid the same amount as a five peice pro band,who emptied the room for us with his tripe, zero promotion, promoter didnt even turn up so left a confused sound man trying to organize things and a measly 12 quid to show for it at the end… WHAT A RIP OFF. And of course the venue has now got some sort of exclusivity deal with the promo dude and wont touch us as individuals… even though we put on a better night.

Promoters have got it too easy almost, and there will always be a slew of new upandcoming wanna-be rockstars with parental sponsored gear and no idea. My advice? DIY and take the fucking power back.