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Standing up for Fair Play THE MUSICIAN’S Union (MU) has launched a scheme called Fair Play Venues, in the hope of creating a list of premises committed to paying musicians fairly. MU live performance Kelly Wood officer Kelly Wood says that the initial uptake has been positive, but adds that it has not always been an easy task to get venue owners onside. “For the most part they are of course used to working alone, and found the idea surprising, so there were a lot of questions to begin with,” she says. “But since those early queries it’s been good to see so many venues add their names to the beginning of this venture - we have 54 signed up already with more in talks. “It’s the opposite of a blacklist, in that it’s highlighting who the good guys are.” Rather than imposing any kind of minimum payout, the scheme simply identifies which venues are happy to commit to banning pay-
From reading to rocking
to-play shows, as well as following general advice on paying acts, offered in the MU’s Fair Play Guide. “It’s not just about the venue itself, either - it’s the promoters that hire the venue too,” says Wood. “That’s as much to protect the owners as it is the artistes. Often an act that has been badly treated can be vocal about the venue without realising it was an independent promoter.” Participating venues including Manchester’s 375-capacity Ruby Lounge, London’s Cafe OTO (cap. 200) and Glasgow’s Sneaky Pete’s (150), will be given a sticker to display and be added to a list, which the MU can use to advise its members. “We hope to eventually turn this into a searchable database, so it’ll be even easier to help acts find the venues that care about acts being paid properly.”
Barnfield Theatre
theatre’s unusual design BARNFIELD THEATRE in will make for some Exeter (cap. 289, 80 & 60) particularly unique will be making the most performances, while of its unique architecture emphasising that the inand city centre location, house promotions team promoting music from is keen not to limit itself local and emerging acts. when it comes to genre Marketing head Vicky Bowring or style. Vicky Bowring says “The whole theatre building was that it had seemed a shame not to use the available space to its originally constructed as a reading room at the end of the 19th century fullest potential. “Our Clifford Room holds 80 by Exeter Literary Society, so the people, the bar a further 60 and we acoustics are incredible,” she says. “As a licensed venue we also could even fit an extra 50 into the really have restrictions on what we foyer I suspect,” she says. “As a charity, we’re tasked with can put on, so alongside jazz and helping to promote local artistes, acoustic performances we can also and opening up the theatre to consider louder rock and indie too.” Forthcoming acts performing in more live music will, we hope, be hugely beneficial to musicians in the larger auditorium include Ralph McTell, Martyn Joseph and Dutch the area and further afield.” Bowring points out that the College Swing Band.
The Forum Hertfordshire features oots Video sh m ru at the Fo clude Ed shire in ’ Her tford ‘Lego House n’s Sheera Flux Pavilion’s d video an amer’ video. ‘Daydre xible, a fully fle We offer space suitable n la -p ing en op ty of film for a varie eds. ne
o In-house sound systems (d&b Q Series in main room, Funktion one in room two, plus Yamaha M7cl digital desk and Soundcraft MH3 analog)
o In-house barrier
o 3 x ensuite dressing rooms with showers, kitchenettes and wireless
o 1 x production office with wireless, landline and photocopier
o In-house lighting and control (mainly Martin MAC 575s plus Avolites pearl and Pearl Tiger desks)
o Full-time in-house production team o Favourable venue hire cost for national promoters (venue hire includes security, box office, ticketing, in-house sound and light, onsite PR and marketing support focusing on a 27,000 student population)
With a 1,750 capacity and a 320 capacity gig rooms, a free-flow club capacity of 2,250, and a site-wide capacity of 5,000 for festivals, The Forum Hertfordshire offers flexibility, professionalism and a technical specification that beats any others in the area. Enquiries to: l.welsh@herts.ac.uk or 01707 285008.
Hertfordshire’s leading live music and club venue August 2015 • Issue 187 • www.liveuk.com
forumhertfordshire.co.uk