SuperMikey Posted 5 December, 2010 Posted 5 December, 2010 Why is it that our city is rarely used on national tours any more? We used to get a lot of bands playing in the city on their national tours and I have seen many bands over the years at Guildhall, but now we very rarely get any decent bands playing here. What's sparked this off is the announcement of an Autumn 2011 tour by The Specials (YESSS!!!), where they are playing Plymouth, Brighton and Bournemouth, but not Southampton. What gives?!
Sheaf Saint Posted 5 December, 2010 Posted 5 December, 2010 The main problem? A severe lack of decent venues. The Guildhall is the only place big enough for the capacity that a lot of bands would require, but the acoustics in there are shocking.
Saint_Jonny Posted 5 December, 2010 Posted 5 December, 2010 The main problem? A severe lack of decent venues. The Guildhall is the only place big enough for the capacity that a lot of bands would require, but the acoustics in there are shocking. This. While i've had some brilliant nights, seeing brilliant bands, at the guildhall, the acoustics are pretty woeful, not the worst, but not great. However, I don't think that it explains why not many bands play there. Brighton and B'mouth both have arena sized venues, that are capable of hosting your "Specials" or "Metallica" sized bands. The guildhall on the other hand is only big enough for your new top 40 fair, or bands that serve a niche market.
Deppo Posted 5 December, 2010 Posted 5 December, 2010 Southampton has NEVER been a usual stop-off on tours. I don't know where you got that idea from. Southampton is, and always has been, sh*t for venues. Portsmouth has always been way ahead of Southampton for decent gigs.
SuperMikey Posted 5 December, 2010 Author Posted 5 December, 2010 Agree, Guildhall is a really crap venue. However, The Specials are playing Wolverhampton and Plymouth...not notorious cities for bands to play in. My Dad told me before about all the great bands he saw in Southampton, Queen, AC/DC, Iron Maiden....now we get Jedward and every single crap comedian out there.
hamster Posted 6 December, 2010 Posted 6 December, 2010 Southampton has NEVER been a usual stop-off on tours. I don't know where you got that idea from. Southampton is, and always has been, sh*t for venues. Portsmouth has always been way ahead of Southampton for decent gigs. Could not agree more. Oh! Actually, what ever happened to the St Mary's gigs?
georgeweahscousin Posted 6 December, 2010 Posted 6 December, 2010 The Guildhall is a woeful venue. That is the main problem.
trousers Posted 6 December, 2010 Posted 6 December, 2010 COAST are playing at the Soul Cellar this Friday. Living proof that the best bands do play Southampton ;-)
NorthamSteve Posted 6 December, 2010 Posted 6 December, 2010 Agree, Guildhall is a really crap venue. However, The Specials are playing Wolverhampton and Plymouth...not notorious cities for bands to play in. My Dad told me before about all the great bands he saw in Southampton, Queen, AC/DC, Iron Maiden....now we get Jedward and every single crap comedian out there. Plymouth Pavillions is a good place, and wolves civic isn't bad either. - Both better than the Guildhall for facilities etc.
fish fingers Posted 8 December, 2010 Posted 8 December, 2010 The Bluetones are playing Talking Heads on Thursday. All the best bands come to Southampton.
Dimond Geezer Posted 8 December, 2010 Posted 8 December, 2010 Could not agree more. Oh! Actually, what ever happened to the St Mary's gigs? I think my parents went to this gig. Mum was/is a massive Orbison fan. They saw the Big O, then let Beatles play a few ditties before walking out. :facepalm:
RedArmy Posted 8 December, 2010 Posted 8 December, 2010 Have you ever seen a band say they had a great gig in Southampton? Crowds are sh1t here, full of boring knob heads.
AndyNorthernSaints Posted 8 December, 2010 Posted 8 December, 2010 Could not agree more. Oh! Actually, what ever happened to the St Mary's gigs? Used to see some great gigs at the Gaumont many years ago including - Stranglers, The Jam, Siouxsie and Banshes, Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers, Police, Pogues, Waterboys .....
Michelle Posted 13 December, 2010 Posted 13 December, 2010 The main problem? A severe lack of decent venues. The Guildhall is the only place big enough for the capacity that a lot of bands would require, but the acoustics in there are shocking. This. I believe lostprophets were the last decent act to do one there, bet they won't come back.
Redbul Posted 14 December, 2010 Posted 14 December, 2010 Used to see some great gigs at the Gaumont many years ago including - Stranglers, The Jam, Siouxsie and Banshes, Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers, Police, Pogues, Waterboys ..... Cor, we've probably brushed shoulders in the mosh pit....!!! And Bauhaus, Tubes, Ian Dury, Motorhead... What Southampton needs is a mid-size venue like P*mpey's Wedgewood Rooms; Joiners and Talking Heads are great but a little bit small.
Deppo Posted 14 December, 2010 Posted 14 December, 2010 Have you ever seen a band say they had a great gig in Southampton? Crowds are sh1t here, full of boring knob heads. Suede mentioned their gig at The Joiners once. That's about it.
channonwindmill Posted 14 December, 2010 Posted 14 December, 2010 The main problem? A severe lack of decent venues. The Guildhall is the only place big enough for the capacity that a lot of bands would require, but the acoustics in there are shocking. I understand what you're saying with this - I've seen plenty of bands at the Guildhall over the years and thought on many occasions that the sound left a lot to be desired. However I think its worth pointing out that the Guildhall was designed (acoustically) for classical and choral performances and that no-one in the 1930s could reasonably have been expected to be able to predict what direction 'popular' music would take in the years to come. For what it's worth, a number of people have told me that classical concerts in the Guildhall sound fantastic and I'm sure they do. Also I think the experience of a band's sound man makes a huge difference in all this - I saw Goldfrapp there a couple of years ago and the sound was great. I guess some are just better at dealing with awkward acoustics than others. Overall though I have to concur that Southampton should really have a decent modern concert venue.
Redbul Posted 14 December, 2010 Posted 14 December, 2010 I understand what you're saying with this - I've seen plenty of bands at the Guildhall over the years and thought on many occasions that the sound left a lot to be desired. However I think its worth pointing out that the Guildhall was designed (acoustically) for classical and choral performances and that no-one in the 1930s could reasonably have been expected to be able to predict what direction 'popular' music would take in the years to come. For what it's worth, a number of people have told me that classical concerts in the Guildhall sound fantastic and I'm sure they do. Also I think the experience of a band's sound man makes a huge difference in all this - I saw Goldfrapp there a couple of years ago and the sound was great. I guess some are just better at dealing with awkward acoustics than others. Overall though I have to concur that Southampton should really have a decent modern concert venue. Ain't that the truth. I think I'm right in saying that The Railway have their own in house sound man too; never heard an acoustically bad gig at The Railway.
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