32 I city limits
Thekla
02 Academy
Extending tours
Josh Westaway
Such is the vibrancy of Bristol at present that an increasing number of acts are including the city in their tours, says 02 Academy general manager Josh Westaway. “As a catchment area, the city is thriving, and the south west definitely sells tickets,” he says. “We are seeing more and more short tours tagging Bristol onto the usual London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow routing. “With a capacity of 1,600, we are an intimate venue with a large stage, so the live experience is personal, yet still attracts major international acts. “We also operate a downstairs-only, short hall configuration for up to 1,000 people, which is hugely attractive to promoters looking for that saleable figure.” Acts playing the venue include Black Label Society (LNE), The Charlatans, The Decemberists, Kid Ink (all SJM), Public Image Ltd (Academy Events), Nick Mulvey (DHP) and Public Service Broadcasting (Goldenvoice).
St George’s Bristol
Factory expansion
Since The MJR Group began working with the owners of a warehouse near Temple Meads train station last September, revamping Motion (1,300) and building The Marble Factory (550), the number of live music shows at the site has grown exponentially. Other venues the group operates include Sub 89 in Reading (600), The Globe in Cardiff (350) and The Engine Rooms in Southampton (800, 600 & 400). “We’ve built The Marble Factory from scratch, in what was previously a skate park, and brought in great in-house production throughout the whole building,” says MJR group director Mike Jones. “Prior to our involvement, there was very little in terms of live music, but now it has two full-time live music venues, complementing the club trade that Motion has always been known for.” Acts to have played Motion include Enter Shikari, Cradle of
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August 2015 • Issue 187 • www.liveuk.com