Drones Discuss: The Boileroom & UK Live Music
With Guildford venue the Boileroom facing the possibility of closure, TMMP caught up with local punk up-and-comers Drones to discuss the Boileroom and the state of the UK’s live music scene.
This interview is part of a larger TMMP feature which can be read in full here.
What is your general opinion of the Boileroom?
The Boileroom is the heart of the music scene in Guildford. From an artist perspective, it’s a key venue for local bands to get their name out there. From a music fan perspective, it’s really the go to place to check out new and established bands alike. There’s a huge community vibe at the Boileroom which isn’t rivalled by many local venues across the UK.
How did you feel when you heard about the Boileroom’s current problems?
It’s upsetting to hear that our favourite local venue is under threat. We have so many great memories of it.
What would happen if the Boileroom were to shut down? What impact would that event have?
The Boileroom is the only local venue that is primarily a live gig establishment (as opposed to a pub or nightclub). If it were to shut down, music fans would most likely have to travel into London to see their favourite artist, which would ultimately affect the music community here.
What is your favourite Boileroom-related memory?
There are so many! Drones played one of our first ever shows at the Boileroom, so it’s a pretty special place to us. We’ve played a number of shows there, ranging from charity fundraisers and Christmas shows to playing with the likes of Gallows, and seeing some of our favourite bands including Sonic Boom Six, Pure Love, and The Computers. I guess seeing Darko dress up for Christmas and watching their singer Dan crowd surf in a sexy Santa outfit over a packed audience springs to mind the most!
How do you feel about the state of the UK’s live music scene right now? What could be done to improve things?
The national UK live music scene is thriving – there is always a show on somewhere so it’s important to have venues like the Boileroom there to facilitate these tours.
In terms of what can be done to improve the scene, I think that’s largely down to the audiences – there are a lot of stories of small and medium-sized venues struggling at the moment, so music fans need to make sure they get themselves down to a local venue every week rather than Wembley once a year!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
If you’re a music fan, get yourself down to a local show. Whether it be the Boileroom or similar local venue in your own town, support the grassroots music scene and help sustain local music communities.
Links
Drones on Facebook and Twitter.
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