North east gig turnouts

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Bukowski said:
Wrong Bukowski mate, you want @buckowski.

For what it’s worth, while I’m here...

Poorly attended shows are not a problem consigned to the north east, it’s countrywide. In London as much as Hull, Cardiff, Glasgow, there are shows that sell desperately poorly for otherwise buzzy artists. There needs to be a major saturation point - a combination of press, radio (still the biggest gatekeeper for ticket sales), streaming, TV, festival slots, whatever - before a band break and begin to sell out tours.

Sunderland, however, has always been a harder sell. Agents don’t often send bands like Fontaines DC, Inhaler, Idles etc. to Sunderland while they’re on an ascent, so the city scarcely gets a chance to cultivate a gig going audience. Sunderland gets the tours that didnt sell well anywhere else previously and often exacerbated by the artist being on a downward trajectory with press, radio etc. TOY being a pretty decent example.

Agents know managers and bands like Newcastle as a major city stop off in the north east but Newcastle has arguably too many options for gigs each night and that outstrips the demand. Funny old business.
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nairrr
 


JAZZMANB said:
nairrr
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I know. Your point initially was “in comparison” iirc.
The young bands n their roadie or manager or even justtheir marras who I’ve spoken too in my local small venue all seem to expect similar numbers in Newcastle as in other bigger cities but it doesn’t happen. I’ve mentioned Sunderland and they seem to think Newcastle’s a better bet.
 
riffraff said:
I know. Your point initially was “in comparison” iirc.
The young bands n their roadie or manager or even justtheir marras who I’ve spoken too in my local small venue all seem to expect similar numbers in Newcastle as in other bigger cities but it doesn’t happen. I’ve mentioned Sunderland and they seem to think Newcastle’s a better bet.
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Indeed ,its not at thread about who likes what etc just turn outs . I've read it on here and other places when dates are released "why aren't they doing the NE .Big and small bands
 
The Great Soprendo said:
Like with most things, people from Tyneside will rarely make the trip to Sunderland for anything. I know people who are massive Foo Fighters fans and had to force themselves to go to the SoL for their concert a few years ago...the next day all they did was moan about how difficult it was and what a pain to get home. The Empire does seem to get people to come through for performances but their marketing machine is bigger and they're usually selling a very well-known production that you have to come to Sunderland for if you don't want to travel further afield.

By contrast, people from Sunderland know that they need to go to Newcastle for a lot of stuff and are generally willing to travel there.

Another potential difficulty for Sunderland is that our student population is both smaller than Newcastle (which has two universities, each with far more students than Sunderland, and also much more accessible to Durham students than Sunderland). And I don't have stats to back this up, but suspect we have a far bigger proportion of foreign students who probably aren't into the kind of musicians that are touring here.

So it seems to me the catchment for a Sunderland gig is generally going to be much smaller.
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i disagree about the Tynesiders not travelling theory. Myself and many others happily visit often. I’m a big supporter And attendee of pop recs / summer streets festival not mentioning other attractions such as beach / winter gardens / airshow etc. Thousands attend the SOL gigs also. I’m not denying you get the fools who can’t see past football allegiance but they’re in the minority.
 
JAZZMANB said:
nairrr
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It is a countrywide issue. Poor turnouts for bands that haven't reached a certain level of attention in the wider media aren't just a Sunderland / Newcastle thing. Admittedly, it's worse in Sunderland than other places but as I said, they don't get the best tours in the first instance and therefore the opportunity to foster a gig-going community. It's a catch 22.
 
mad cyril said:
i disagree about the Tynesiders not travelling theory. Myself and many others happily visit often. I’m a big supporter And attendee of pop recs / summer streets festival not mentioning other attractions such as beach / winter gardens / airshow etc. Thousands attend the SOL gigs also. I’m not denying you get the fools who can’t see past football allegiance but they’re in the minority.
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Well it's be hard to prove one way or the other so I won't labour the point, just my observation. As a general point I'd imagine it's a fairly natural perspective if you live in or have a dynamic city centre on your doorstep to be less likely to travel to a town or city nearby for entertainment. And let's be honest, the peripherals of a night out at a gig (ie pubs) in Sunderland are not exactly vibrant these days either, especially during the week. Get no pleasure from saying so, but Newcastle is more appealing from that perspective if you're planning to make a night of it (though of course the two things are connected).
 
The Great Soprendo said:
Well it's be hard to prove one way or the other so I won't labour the point, just my observation. As a general point I'd imagine it's a fairly natural perspective if you live in or have a dynamic city centre on your doorstep to be less likely to travel to a town or city nearby for entertainment. And let's be honest, the peripherals of a night out at a gig (ie pubs) in Sunderland are not exactly vibrant these days either, especially during the week. Get no pleasure from saying so, but Newcastle is more appealing from that perspective if you're planning to make a night of it (though of course the two things are connected).
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youre certainly right that people visit less as yes there generally is more happening in Newcastle.
I thought you were suggesting that people don’t travel through because of some childish football related rivalry. Apologies if I’ve misinterpreted your point mate.
 
mad cyril said:
youre certainly right that people visit less as yes there generally is more happening in Newcastle.
I thought you were suggesting that people don’t travel through because of some childish football related rivalry. Apologies if I’ve misinterpreted your point mate.
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Well some of it might be football related, but it is perhaps more just a perception that Sunderland is that bit on the edge of medieval maps that said 'there be dragons here'. It's almost outside their consciousness in some cases.
 
The Great Soprendo said:
Well it's be hard to prove one way or the other so I won't labour the point, just my observation. As a general point I'd imagine it's a fairly natural perspective if you live in or have a dynamic city centre on your doorstep to be less likely to travel to a town or city nearby for entertainment. And let's be honest, the peripherals of a night out at a gig (ie pubs) in Sunderland are not exactly vibrant these days either, especially during the week. Get no pleasure from saying so, but Newcastle is more appealing from that perspective if you're planning to make a night of it (though of course the two things are connected).
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It doesnt matter what your doorstep is like if artists/events you're into are on elsewhere.
 
The Great Soprendo said:
Well it's be hard to prove one way or the other so I won't labour the point, just my observation. As a general point I'd imagine it's a fairly natural perspective if you live in or have a dynamic city centre on your doorstep to be less likely to travel to a town or city nearby for entertainment. And let's be honest, the peripherals of a night out at a gig (ie pubs) in Sunderland are not exactly vibrant these days either, especially during the week. Get no pleasure from saying so, but Newcastle is more appealing from that perspective if you're planning to make a night of it (though of course the two things are connected).
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I Don’t for one minute think there’s anything wrong with Sunderland at all. Ive always wondered why Sunderland is compared. Sunderland has stuff Newcastle can’t offer and vice versa.

once this new arena is built bands will choose Gateshead over Newcastle.

I think people who post on these boards get hung up a bit on how bad the tribalism is between the two cities. You’ve said yourself you work in Newcastle so you must know nobody really gives a fuck through here. I was out Friday and it was obvious we were supporting Sunderland. I’ve watched mag games in the town and people knew I was Sunderland. Nobody cares man.
 
OOOSH YEAH said:
For the purposes of this thread and given you’re a lad from Stanley (have i got this right) how will you get home?
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3 buses to the metro station, then the 2 metros, nee waiting in between cos they can be timed to perfection via the never be late for a bus App.
Watch the opening half an hour then set off back home.;)
 
buckowski said:
3 buses to the metro station, then the 2 metros, nee waiting in between cos they can be timed to perfection via the never be late for a bus App.
Watch the opening half an hour then set off back home.;)
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Ah well that’s a different story then. pretty much no way of yous lads getting to Newcastle for gigs and getting home. I wouldn’t f***ing bother mate. do the Honourable thing and move to Newcastle so your mates can stop at yours.
 
JAZZMANB said:
Often read comments about " why aren't they doing Newcastle " or the north east when dates are announced
Because it's promoters night mare
Half sold gigs by people who sell out places elsewhere .Going to see Milk carton kids on Wednesday
They've just put a video up saying everywhere nearly sold out but plenty left in Newcastle
Saw Adrian belew at the sage ,45 people if that
Peter Gabriel at the arena ,half the place curtained off
Rival sons playing Sunderland to a couple of bus fulls
Nowt to do with who likes what ,that's why they give us a miss
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It's grim up north....that's why
 
citybythesea said:
It's grim up north....that's why
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Do you seriously believe this shite you spout? “It’s grim” Where the fuck do you live and who is putting the brakes on your life?

I love my job and my social life is great. Apart from weather and wildlife i can’t really see how I miss out on life.
 
Strange venue the Cluny like..its location is awful..the bar bit when you first go in is nice but the gig bit where you go down the steps felt like I was in an indoor swimming pool..git narrow anarl.
 
Cheesy Feet said:
Strange venue the Cluny like..its location is awful..the bar bit when you first go in is nice but the gig bit where you go down the steps felt like I was in an indoor swimming pool..git narrow anarl.
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I agree. I’ve probably been to the cluny more than any other venue and I’ve never been to a gig there where I’ve been completely blown away, and that’s down to venue.
I much prefer cluny2 next door.

EDIT. Alex Cameron and Wolfgang Flur were great there.
 
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Cheesy Feet said:
Strange venue the Cluny like..its location is awful..the bar bit when you first go in is nice but the gig bit where you go down the steps felt like I was in an indoor swimming pool..git narrow anarl.
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I really like it, the stairs and "balcony" give places to lurk when you don't want to be in the middle of the floor but still close to the front. Easy to drive to and park at, though it is a total pain for public transport if you want a drink.
 
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