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SHAPEMAG The Big Question

THE BIG QUESTION

HARTLEPOOL: ARE WE MISSING A TRICK?

n our huge push to try to promote the in turn the venues do not make good
Hartlepool live music scene, we are enough profits at the bar to pay decent
Iconstantly walking around the venues rates to artists (although, I must admit
and asking questions from the artists, I have seen much worse) in turn artists
landlords and punters in an effort to get are becoming more reluctant to play for
the best out of our entertainment. less money, hence the venues not wanting
to spend good money to advertise. And
So, is there a problem? In my eyes, yes. so the circle continues. But it’s not all
Just taking a walk down Church Street I doom and gloom. We have seen some
see venues closed down or not opening first rate bands and artists in our relative-
when advertised or just plain empty. On ly short time here. Hartlepool standard
most of them, and I am being very careful is amazing. There are a few gigs that
not to name names here, there is enter- are renowned for its entertainment and
tainment advertised from Karaokes, Live they are doing really well but we need to
Music etc. So you would think with so spread this across the town and revitalise
much variety we would have a bustling our town back to musical glory. It’s a
metropolis of fun lovers and music seek- wonderful place with so much potential
ers. Hmmm.... but for that potential to be reached we all
need to get involved.
It’s a bit of a vicious circle effect really.
The big problem is nobody knows what We, at SHAPEMAG along with our asso-
is going on. Yes there is one or two ads ciates are going to be battling hard to get
in our local papers and facebook does its bums through the doors once again, so
best but there is very little that is defini- the venues will be filled to the sound of
tive. At least until now. The problem has Hartlepool’s talent and bring the good
been because very few people are aware of times back. Do get in touch with us is
the events, people do not go out to them, you think you can help.
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