Where are the audiences in bandrooms?

[strongbow]

Audiences for band concerts seem to be getting very thin on the ground. Not so long ago you had to be at Dobcross early to make sure you got in.

I'm just trying to find out why people don't go to listen to bands in bandrooms anymore and your input to this poll is much appreciated.

[geordiecolin]

Not a promising subject when I've got a concert at Dobcross on Sunday at 8pm [/blatant plug]

I really don't know why audiences are falling and their average age is rising! I just think its considered dated and Time Team/Auf Wiedersehn Pet are much better than live music. Apparently. (Not that I'm knocking Auf Wiedersehn Pet!)

[strongbow]

Oops, worded the message wrong, its not a dig at Dobcross it is happening at other band clubs including Glossop

[geordiecolin]

I realised that. Sorry! Its just that I've got this concert and it just feels like a bit of an omen!!!!

You make a valid point though, although Stocksbridge Band Club on Jan 11th was standing room only. Not quite queuing on the door, but it was still a good turnout!

[Trom41821]

Sorry to show my ignorance but I've never heard of this practice, even when I did play in traditional brass band.

If anybody wanted to come to our rehearsal we'd have to apply for an extension and get a bar!!! There's only just room for 7 as it is!!

[sparkling_quavers]

Sorry to show my ignorance but I've never heard of this practice, even when I did play in traditional brass band.

If anybody wanted to come to our rehearsal we'd have to apply for an extension and get a bar!!! There's only just room for 7 as it is!!

not bandrooms as in practice rooms.... he means bandclubs!

[Trom41821]

Sorry to show my ignorance but I've never heard of this practice, even when I did play in traditional brass band.

If anybody wanted to come to our rehearsal we'd have to apply for an extension and get a bar!!! There's only just room for 7 as it is!!

not bandrooms as in practice rooms.... he means bandclubs!

Arghhh! Now I understand :oops: :oops:

[Lauradoll]

I used to like going to hear bands at Glossop/ Dobx but got sick of the "heckling" and general brass band slagging that goes with the concerts. I know everyone does it but it does get boring week after week. Also Glossop and Dobx are hardly the easiest places to get to. And now that I've got a responsible job haha I need to be in bed early on Sunday nights to recover from my alcohol fuelled weekends!

[bruceg]

Are band clubs a peculiarly English phenomenon or are there some up here in Scotland too? It's not something that I've ever come across...

[Sam Atherton]

Can we have a category for "Because there isn't one near me?"

[lynchie]

there's seems to be loads of them around the north west and yorkshire, but i'd never heard of them before i moved up here

[ukdrummerboy]

I am pleased to say that Stocksbridge Band club, which is in its 4th season this year, has always attracted a large audience. Maybe because of its venue (ie, accessable to a large number of people within a short distance) and as geordiecolin said, there is usually standing room only. Also as the weeks progress in the season, each concert attracts more and more people (most probably as word gets around :D )

[geordiecolin]

After last night's concert a DobX to about 10 people, it does make you dispair slightly, especially having traipsed 30 miles over the Pennines in mucky weather to get there. Although the odds in the raffle were good!! :shock:

Perhaps Stocksbridge's success is due to its "monopoly status", I believe its the only one in the Sheffield area? Which is a large area with quite a few bands.
Admittedly, I've only played DobX once, and Stocksbridge twice, but both times I've played at Stocksbridge, band members have been there, supporting the event. Whereas I doubt any were were at DobX last night, seeing as most of the audience were BBSB entourage. To be fair though, if a DobX band member jumped out at me I wouldn't recognise them as such!! If you were there last night, I stand corrected!!

(NB The above paragraph is not in any way "a dig" at Dobcross Band, its just an observation)

Perhaps, if band members attend the clubs then perhaps that'll encourage people to attend. Band clubs are as much about meeting up with other banders, as it is about listening to the band on stage.

As for last night? I enjoyed it and hope to invited back again. The small audience was a minor disappointment but it was still an enjoyable concert and a nice venue in which to play! it was just a shame that I lost the ability to count to 4 in for a period in the second half! :shock: :? :? :oops: :oops:

[strongbow]

After last night's concert a DobX to about 10 people, it does make you dispair slightly, especially having traipsed 30 miles over the Pennines in mucky weather to get there. Although the odds in the raffle were good!! :shock:

half! :shock: :? :? :oops: :oops:

Sorry Geordiecolin, it seems that we had all the audience at Glossop last night for Besses.

I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone that turned out last night to listen to the concert and hope that we see you all again very soon.

Cheers


Janet

[geordiecolin]

Thought as much :( :wink: Oh well!

[horn1]

I spent most of my early drinking years at band clubs on a sunday night. The heckling can get a bit much at times (I think we were as guilty as anyone though :oops: ) but generally it's a good atmosphere. I don't go that often now for the same reason as Laura - responsible job, too tempting to drink beer so I don't go unless it's someone I really want to hear.

[Lauradoll]

BT are at Glossop on Sun 23rd Feb- get there peeps!!!!!

[asteria]

I agree, it can be very disheartening for a band when you get a low turn-out audience, although i must admit i like playing at the band clubs - there's a much more relaxed atmosphere and the potential for great entertainment for a low entry fee.

Having said that it's been quite a while since i've watched one, not because i don't enjoy it but mainly it's just too out of the way. Perhaps if i had more of an idea what programme a band was going to play i might make more effort.

Having just checked my schedule i remember we're at Glossop soon, and it's the 22nd of Feb (23rd's a monday laura!).

Just a thought Janet, why not attach a link to the bandroom concerts webpage on your signature so it appears on all your posts?

[Lauradoll]

I agree, it can be very disheartening for a band when you get a low turn-out audience, although i must admit i like playing at the band clubs - there's a much more relaxed atmosphere and the potential for great entertainment for a low entry fee.

Having said that it's been quite a while since i've watched one, not because i don't enjoy it but mainly it's just too out of the way. Perhaps if i had more of an idea what programme a band was going to play i might make more effort.

Having just checked my schedule i remember we're at Glossop soon, and it's the 22nd of Feb (23rd's a monday laura!).

Just a thought Janet, why not attach a link to the bandroom concerts webpage on your signature so it appears on all your posts?

Yep you're right. I've got the day I go back to school on the brain before I've even broken up!

[iancwilx]

Kippax Band Club has a large function room seating about 150 - the band (Kippax UK Coal) give a concert on the 2nd Sunday of every month with a completely different programme each time. (12 new progs per year !!)
The room is never less than 75% full and sometimes "Chokka"
We do Bingo and Raffles as well which breaks up the evening.
We are lucky to have a large bar in the room, and a smaller bar in the Members Lounge which is adjacent.
The Bandroom is in a separate concrete prefab at the back of the club.

[little_b_140]

I know exactly what you mean about the audience being thin on the ground. My band 'Arnfield Brass' played at Delph band room on Sunday and that's exactly what I thought. People just can't be bothered going to band rooms to watch other bands, I think they prefer watching the TV and stuff. I personally like going to watch - me and my boyfriend went to Glossop Band Room a few weeks back to watch Friezland, the atmosphere was great and the beer wasn't really expensive! We really enjoyed it!

To see more information on my band 'Arnfield Brass' please visit our site www.arnfieldbrass.co.uk as we are playing at Glossop Band Room on 14th March. Hope to maybe see you there!

Bek x

[Lauradoll]

There was actually a big brass band constest on in Preston on Sunday and loads of "Dobcross Regulars" were there taking part in the contest. We played there a few months back on the same day as the Scottish Open and Skegness/ Butlins contest and there was a poor turn out then as well. I know it's disheartening but I hope there's more there at Glossop for you (although I think this is the same day as the North West area)

[Kerwintootle]

Just out of interest, does Holme Band club still have concerts every other sunday. They used to have pretty good bands going there. I remember Versatile Brass playing and a certain cornet legend getting tutted at for splitting a note.

[little_b_140]

Thank's Laura! I still really enjoy playing in the band rooms, it's just a shame that the audience is sometimes on the small side. I believe you are playing at Glossop on the 21st - Good Luck!