FOLK ROCK PUNK FUSION AT THE FUSE!

The last arena gig I went to see was Peter Gabriel at the Arena in Manchester in 2013. The gig itself was a celebration of hugely  innovative music and highly accomplished performers, and introduced Jennie Abrahamsson who opened the gig with her haunting ‘Snow Storm’ – you really need to check that track out! I am definitely not a fan of the arena gig experience, but this was one of the good ones. I much prefer the more intimate setting of smaller theatres, arts centres, and folk festivals because they frequently highlight new talent and provide some really pleasant surprises.

When a few of us went to see Show Of Hands at the Bury Met last year, their support was the now highly acclaimed Philip Henry & Hannah Martin. That led to us seeing them more recently at the 100th gig staged at The Live Rooms in Saltaire, and buying all their albums! Even the most successful artists start somewhere, but some actually still prefer smaller venues where there seems to be a better connection with their audiences. I was delighted when Manchester’s Band on the Wall re-opened after many years of closure, and I am a regular at their gigs. Since then, and in spite of media reports, there seems to have been a resurgence of small venues opening up to accommodate both new talent, performers with a growing reputation, and to play host to numerous older bands who still love to play the UK circuit.

We are privileged to be recording Moorscape™ at The Fuse in Partington, which is about ten minutes drive from the M60 Manchester ring road. Partington was for years one of the more challenging satellites in the near Manchester area, so when The Fuse was built nearly ten years ago it was part of a sustained effort to regenerate the area and its community and to attract business, sport, and the arts. It is partly because the venue is a little bit out on a limb that its 300 capacity performance space has so far escaped a place on the music circuit, but watch this space!

The Fuse was actually closed for a full year during its short existence, until a mix of funding and commercial synergy saw this fabulous community facility re-open again earlier this year. It has the potential to become a showcase for all kinds of local and regional talent as well as expanding its relationship with the local business communities. The Fuse is home to Redeeming Our Communities, a Christian religious organisation who do a huge amount of good work in the local communities, with kids whose evenings might otherwise be spent in less positive activities! It also houses my good friends Luxson whose innovative professional marketing services populate some of the upstairs office space. Loads of brothers with the most positive and vibrant business approach and really good ethics. It also has a bar football table!

There is much more to come from The Fuse, so keep your eyes and ears open during 2016. Meanwhile, it’s Recording Day 5 on Wednesday. We love working there!

There are loads of Waldeaux there too.