• Registered: 2012-05-02
  • Posts: 488

Topic: two of my favorite clubs closed in one week

I'm very sad because in one week two of my favourite clubs shut the door. The Bluesrockgaraasj at Geleen The Netherlands first and now The Gompelhof at Mol Belgium. These were two amazing clubs with very nice owners. I saw last thursday Jimmy Thackery at the Gompelhof and it seemed that we're going to have a great year there when i talk with Jo(the owner) and when i saw his program.
Henrik Freischlader,Layla Zoe,King King, Ryan McGarvey,Simon McBride, Jason Ricci, MorBlus
I have no words sad
Walter

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,615

Re: two of my favorite clubs closed in one week

Very sad to read that news, Walter. Seems its happening more and more and not just with the smaller clubs; some of the larger venues in my area of the UK are under threat from cut-backs. Several Blues clubs here have had to seek smaller venues with fewer facilities in order to keep going.

It seems to be at odds with the amount of really hot bands that are out there, wanting to be heard.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • Registered: 2012-05-02
  • Posts: 488

Re: two of my favorite clubs closed in one week

Than it is not only here a problem but also in the Uk Mike? Very sad news. I'm typing now here with tears in my eyes,because the Gompelhof was for me the best.

Walter

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: two of my favorite clubs closed in one week

Here in San Diego, two of the best clubs for live music that brought in BIG acts closed on the first of the year. 4th and B and Anthology. That shoots a huge crater in the local scene. Sad sign of the times.
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: two of my favorite clubs closed in one week

I'm with you Walter. I've been to both and always brag about the great venues in your neck of the woods. I'm confused by Jo's announcement as he had plans for shows this year. I wish we could help. It's tough for artists to travel when gigs become further apart, and harder to find sad        Cathy

  • From: Ruhrpott, Germany
  • Registered: 2010-02-06
  • Posts: 1,326

Re: two of my favorite clubs closed in one week

retlawv wrote:

I'm very sad because in one week two of my favourite clubs shut the door. The Bluesrockgaraasj at Geleen The Netherlands first and now The Gompelhof at Mol Belgium. These were two amazing clubs with very nice owners. I saw last thursday Jimmy Thackery at the Gompelhof and it seemed that we're going to have a great year there when i talk with Jo(the owner) and when i saw his program.
Henrik Freischlader,Layla Zoe,King King, Ryan McGarvey,Simon McBride, Jason Ricci, MorBlus
I have no words sad
Walter

That are real sad news.
The closure of the Gompelhof is a bummer. From the first time I was there I felt absolutely at home there. The owner Jo is such a nice guy and when I was there bands and atmosphere were always great. And people too. When I saw the program for 2013 I wished once again that the venue would be at my doorsteps and not about 150 km away.
I can't believe it sad

  • Curby
  • Curby
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-12-19
  • Posts: 2,603

Re: two of my favorite clubs closed in one week

I'm always sad to hear these type things.  It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,615

Re: two of my favorite clubs closed in one week

retlawv wrote:

Than it is not only here a problem but also in the Uk Mike? Very sad news. I'm typing now here with tears in my eyes,because the Gompelhof was for me the best.

Walter

About 6 months ago, Darlington Arts Centre closed - for many years it was the home of Darlington R'n'B Club who held gigs there every 2 weeks. Fortunately; the club has been able to relocate in the town; the new venue is good, but doesn't have the flexibility to handle "bigger" bands.

A new venue did open in Darlington, but it aimed it specifically for club bands - it only stayed open 6 months. The sad thing is, it has 3 performance rooms -  200, 400 & 800 capacities that were only refurbished last year. I know Darlington R'n'B approached them when the Ats Centre closed down, but the managers were charging high fees for the use of even their smallest room.

I don't know the reasons behind it, but last year also saw Oxford's long-standing Blues club having to re-locate. I'm guessing money was behind that.

It's not just the smaller venues - I posted on here last year about Newcastle City Hall being under threat from local government cuts. The City Hall was Newcastle's premier music venue for many years; some really big bands used to play there, often doing 2 or 3 night stands. Things started to slip a little when bands started playing "arenas", but shows dwindled off with the opening of The Sage over in Gateshead even though its only a 1800 seater compared to City Hall's 2250 capacity. I'd be very upset if City Hall did go - I spent most of the 1980s in there, as well as at The Mayfair and The Broken Doll (both of which went under re-development).

However, it's not all bad news, new clubs are springing up at grass-roots level, and ones like Sedgefield are thriving. Another recent one, slightly out my usual area is Saltburn; they're gaining interest, and if they can work with Guisborough and Redcar, should be a stepping stone for new talent.

Mike

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...