UK Music Scene: “Welcome to The Future Presents”
Traitors Gate (50 Shades Of The New Grays Whistle Test)
Great gigs set to put music bar, Traitors Gate, on the star breaker map. Savage Nomads headline Friday 12th September. Scroll down for confirmed shows so far! Free Entry. Gigs end approx 11pm. Last Central London train 11.30pm. 40-42 The Broadway, Grays, Essex, RM17 6EW
People are aligning during these divided times.
I (Caffy) stage new music events myself, and keep getting excited by what other people are doing.
Recently I was inspired by conversation with a fellow promoter; Ian Hurd. He is hungrily scouting and booking artists with a genuine buzz (word of mouth and media alike) for a new Friday event, 'Welcome To The Future Presents' at Traitors Gate (brill name for a venue -. Rock n roll ready!) this Autumn. In the South East of England the counties of Essex and Kent straddle the Thames Estuary. With Brownstock and Standon Calling festivals in the area, a heritage of classic bands, future promise and keen/recommended BBC Introducing shows and local radio, each, they are are giving the river's biggest city, London, a run (sail?) for its money.
'Welcome To The Future Presents' Friday nights arrive just at the right time and place. Thurrock is already fizzing with local names like The Queensburys - a stylish, confident rock outfit ('Driving Home' video) - and Figures. Recently, the amazing David Woodcock appeared at Traitors Gate. Sealing its cool venue status. The near future sound cool. Tell us more!
With a great music industry background, Ian Hurd sets the scene: "The music industry is in flux. Necesarily, fresh models are developing to allow new artists to be supported wherever possible, in the absence of record label budgets, to then be discovered by fans.
Despite music being one of the biggest exports that UK PLC has (£3.5Bn in 2014), in recent times it has become ever more difficult for talented emerging music artists to make money at the time they need it the most; their early careers.
Often venues and promoters either don’t pay emerging talent, or artists end up out of pocket because the venue charges too much to hire, or promoters can be dodgy. Sure, some acts just don't attract many followers, but it is well known that there are disreputable “promoters”, evidenced by the plethora of Facebook groups dedicated to exposing them. In addition to this, the media is full of stories about local venues closing down because people either can’t afford to go to the events, or choose to save their money for expensive festivals or London venues, where touts have pushed up the prices." (also check out Music Venues Trust)
"What is different about Traitors Gate is that all artists are paid; it's nothing that many pubs and bars don't already do for over-priced cover artists. We get them coming in all day long, some asking as much as £75 an hour for a solo artist! Therefore, it makes more sense, to me, to support new musicians and support them, reward their ability to make decent music and to be able perform more live shows to boost their early career prospects. At the same time, the expectations of young digital age audiences to consume music for free is also catered for. The events are free to the public. Fans and followers don't have to pay out huge sums to watch their favourite up and coming artists.
For Welcome To The Future Presents, local and regional acts who are also gaining a reputation are invited to support, and also paid. No act has to pay to play. Instead, they get an opportunity to increase their fan base in the physical world, where these experiences create closer bonds and loyalty between than the often fickle, superficial online interactions of ‘liking’ or 'solo viewing' which may not lead to any memorable encounters or bonding with fans.
Of course the venue is also making money, which they then use to pay the promoter to find more great line ups, and the cycle continues. There are up and coming promoters who search tirelessly seek artists for opportunities. We need to celebrate them and support them too. This model gives a paid role to these aficionados. Yes, the venue has to invest in a decent PA and the profits are not arena size, but then neither are the stages or the acts. We desperately need new ways to support credible potential and this is one way that everyone is a winner."
This attitude is attracting some big names to Traitors Gate.
(Welcome To The Future Presents has already got one of the nation's most recommended, newer wave alt pop up and comers, booked to play (Picture; caught gracing our stage at The Great Escape Festival this Spring).
The Savage Nomads play Traitors Gate on Friday 12th September 2015. “London's finest”. (BBC Introducing) have played gigs with Adam Ant - who described them as “inspired and inspiring” - and Carl Barat, which led them to be featured in MOJO Magazine's New Faces of 2015, a BBC 6 Music session with Tom Robinson - who called them “the most astonishing thing I've heard this year” - and air play from Radio 1, as well as a sponsorship with Original Penguin and Merc clothing. Q magazine decrees them “one of the most glorious bands to come out of South London”, whilst rock royalty Matt Johnson (The The) Robyn Hitchcock and Mick Jones are all fans, with The Clash songwriter going as far to say “I can't think of a better band than Savage Nomads to rock the whole world”. Regularly appearing at the UK's biggest rock n roll club, This Feeling, you are seeing stars. From Unsigned Band Of 2014 (GigSlutz),to infinity, and beyond. Fugazi's Brendan Canty eloquently points out: “I hear the work Savage Nomads put into their music and their passion for the craft. It translates in a beautiful way.” Having rocked Isle Of Wight Festival in June and the Marshall Phone launch the other week, their story is spiralling - see facebook.com/thesavagenomads (and video for 'Rosy Tan' below). Catching them so close up, for free, is gonna be a real treat so go early, as they are supported by the previously mentioned local up n comers, Figures.
Another up, coming and acclaimed date for the diary is Friday 16th October when dynamically raucous garage rockers, Mourning Birds, hit town. Video below is 'The Last Thing' (I Need)' from their newly released album.
Definitely looks like TheZineUK are due some trips to check out and chat with the local vibe. The expectant energy radiating from Grays has the ingredients to establish a connecting hub for the next wave of creative opportunities. Artists, Audiences, Venues and the emerging DIY Cottage Industry/Media business, all in it together. Thank you Essex. The only way is Unity.
Twitteratti: @TraitorsGatePub New Dates and Confirmations! Interact with the Traitors Gate Facebook page for updates and involvement:
September 2015 - 5th - Morning Smoke, 12th Savage Nomads + Figures, 19th - The Queensburys. October 2015 - 16th - Mourning Birds, 24th - The Spills, Loose Joints, Dead Belles November 2015 - 14th - Scarlet Echo
Speaking of vibes aligning, Savage Nomads and Mourning Birds have graced TheZineUK's festival stages (Camden Crawl/The Great Escape); awe-some bands. Caught Essex's Scarlet Echo (video) a few years ago. Tey were properly ON it then - top quality! Love seeing potential develop, hope the artists make new friends, gig swap n take over. Welcome to The Future Presents. 4REAL.