Jonas & Jane Discuss: The Boileroom & UK Live Music
With Guildford venue the Boileroom facing the possibility of closure, TMMP caught up with folk duo Jonas & Jane 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 has been around for as long as we can remember. It’s a great venue and does so much in terms of supporting local up and coming artists and bands. Its family friendly atmosphere, coupled with fantastic music and food, always ensures you have a great night out. It really is a core part of the local community.
How did you feel when you heard about the Boileroom’s current problems?
It was quite a surprise. As musicians who have played at the Boileroom in the past and visit it frequently to see our friends’ bands play, we felt we needed to give something back and offer our support by signing and sharing the petition on social media.
What would happen if the Boileroom were to shut down? What impact would that event have?
As local musicians, we feel it would be a great shame if the Boileroom were to close down. The Boileroom does so much for charities and schools in terms of holding free events, venue hire etc. and so I think it would have an even greater impact on the wider community.
What is your favourite Boileroom-related memory?
The first time we played at the Boileroom as Jonas and Jane. It was a showcase of potential acts for the New Forest festival, Festibelly. It was such a great night and we had a fantastic turnout. The Boileroom is quite a prestigious venue; the first thing anyone asks you when you tell them you are a singer or a musician is “Have you played at the Boileroom?” so for us, achieving that milestone and being able to say “Yes we have” is a great feeling.
How do you feel about the state of the UK’s live music scene right now? What could be done to improve things?
I think it’s a shame that so many live music venues are really struggling to stay open and I think more should be done to support them. Music venues like the Boileroom play a crucial role in the development of artists, providing the platform for them to hone their performance skills and advance their careers. They are already too few and far between across the country; it’s important we do as much as we can to support them.
Links
Jonas & Jane on Facebook and Twitter.
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