Half Moon Putney facing closure.
Hello everyone.
I would like to raise awareness with everyone on this board about the Half Moon music venue in Putney, South-West London. Unfortunately, on 31st January 2010 it seems likely that the venue will close. This is terrible news for musicians and gig-goers in London. I am pasting in the official press release for everyone to read.
Please please please, if anyone here can help in any way at all, whether it's media coverage or just by voting with your feet and coming along to a gig, that would be great. I know many people on this board have been to see gigs at the Half Moon many times and you will be truly sad to see it go.
Thanks everyone.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HISTORIC MUSIC VENUE FACES CLOSURE
The Halfmoon Putney, one of London's last independent live music venues, may have to call time on almost 50 years of hosting live music.
Due to market forces, the current economic climate and other circumstances beyond our control, The Halfmoon will not be able to carry on as a music venue after 31st January 2010.
The Halfmoon has been hosting live music regularly since 1963. Since that time it has seen performances by, among others, The Rolling Stones, U2, The Small Faces, Ralph McTell, Badly Drawn Boy, Kate Bush and countless more.
As well as still catering for touring bands and artists The Halfmoon has, more recently, been an important stepping stone for artists/ bands such as Kasabian, Imogen Heap, The Wombats, Newton Faulkner, Mr Hudson, Amy McDonald, and Natasha Bedingfield. Oh, and Jamie Archer of X Factor fame!
When bands are making the transition from playing in the corner of a pub to much bigger venues, they need that stepping stone. Places like The Halfmoon fill that niche.
Current tenant James Harris says "We are at the grass roots of live music and The Halfmoon is an engine room for rising bands throughout the UK, who are now running out of quality venues to play."
Sound engineer, band member and host of Halfmoon Unplugged Redvers Bailey says "It will be a sad day when The Halfmoon closes. I can’t think of many venues I've been to who can cater for professional touring bands and rising unsigned bands and are willing to treat the two no differently. Speaking as a band member I'd say I haven't played at any 200 capacity venue that offers as good sound/lighting production, atmosphere and door deal."
Without the right measures being taken The Halfmoon could easily join a growing list of music venues that have closed in recent months/years. It would be another blow to music and culture in London if The Halfmoon disappears as well.
You can help save The Halfmoon. Please vote with your feet and come for a drink, or come to one of our nightly live music shows. To see what's on visit the gig guide at [
www.halfmoon.co.uk]. If you can't make it down in person then visit our forum here The Halfmoon Forum and show us some love for all to see
More details will be provided as we have them, in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Kind regards,
James Harris
Tenant
Halfmoon, Putney
07866 433 679
020 8780 9383
james@halfmoon.co.ukwww.halfmoon.co.uk
“The real shop floor for musical talent is pubs and clubs, that is where the original work is. But they are being closed down on a daily basis. It is impossible to put an act on in a pub. It has become too expensive through excessive
regulations. The music industry has been hugely important to England, bringing
in millions. If anyone thinks the X Factor is going to do that, they are wrong.”
Sting in interview with The Evening Standard 11.11.09
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