Rose Coloured Records Discuss: The Boileroom & UK Live Music
With Guildford venue the Boileroom facing the possibility of closure, TMMP caught up with Rose Coloured Records head honcho Andy 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?
A dedicated small music venue is so important to a town like Guildford and the surrounding area. As well as attracting some of the best new talent touring the country (plus the occasional more established names) they provide a much-needed space for local bands and singers.
The Boileroom pretty much is the Guildford alternative music scene; it is part of the community and would not easily be replaced.
How did you feel when you heard about the Boileroom’s current problems?
I first saw the venue post a petition on Facebook. There were just 29 names at the time – but it soon became clear the support the venue has in the area and way beyond.
What would happen if the Boileroom were to shut down? What impact would that event have?
It would be very hard to replace, and the impact on the local live music scene would be huge. It would take a long time for the scene to recover, if it ever did. The number and variety of gigs and events at the Boileroom give the town a buzzing scene, and without that option we would see a much poorer music scene in the area.
What is your favourite Boileroom-related memory?
I spent many years as a music fan attending hundreds of gigs, but only recently began promoting them myself. My first ever gig in June 2013 was at the Boileroom so it will always be a special place for me.
How do you feel about the state of grassroots music in the UK right now? What could be done to improve things?
Its in pretty good shape from what I can see in terms of number and quality of bands around. The problem is how sustainable it is for the majority of those involved. Almost no one at this end of the industry makes even a little money.
Fortunately, there seem to be enough people who love music and know how important it is to keep on producing more great new acts. I’ve been involved in the local scene for 2 years now and am constantly amazed at the number of great new acts that keep coming my way just in the surrounding few miles.
We need to keep small venues open, but aside from that people need to keep coming out and supporting new music. It is such a cheap form of entertainment compared to almost everything else around. Most gigs are free or under a fiver – you barely get a pair of 3D glasses at the cinema for that!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
If your local music scene is important to you, get out and watch it, spend a few pennies if you are downloading the bands’ songs, and support the Boileroom!
Links
Rose Coloured Records official website.
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