Has Preston got a music scene?

The Guardian recently reported that with the tightening of belts and the onset of a recession the amount of people willing to pay for live music may decline. The audience who at one time would be prepared to pay anywhere between £20 and £50 to watch Oasis or, heaven forbid, The Pigeon Detectives may have to look elsewhere for their musical fix.

Do-it-yourself local bands may find their audience boosted by people looking for live music, a few drinks and somewhere to forget about the black clouds hanging over the world's economy. Clouds we are told everyday by newspapers and television news will only get worse engulfing us all in a financial shit-storm.

Preston has many such pubs that may fit the bill. The Mad Ferret on Brook Street in the heart of the university campus has live music on most nights of the week and will host a winter festival this weekend. Narnia Festival will see a host of bands from Preston and all over the North spread over three days with the pub decorated to look like the other side of the wardrobe and a stall where the mulled wine will flow.

THE PROMOTER'S VIEW

Phil Moss, 23, whose band Underdogs play on Saturday night is also a promoter for the club night The English Gentleman's Drinking Club showcasing the best of local bands as well as bands from further a field. Together with promoters Apples and Pears he booked the line-up for Narnia festival.

The local scene is very healthy and vibrant according to Phil with loads of talented bands playing regularly and a receptive patron supporting them in the form of Mad Ferret owner Fraser Boon. Fraser may be Preston's answer to Manchester music guru Tony Curtis.

Phil said: "The fact that Fraser gives us the freedom to do what we want to do is important. He doesn't interfere in what we do."

Russ Carlton, 30, promoter who host the long-running club night Where's Mavis, currently at PR1 on a Tuesday night, agrees that the Preston scene has a lot going for it. He said: "Considering the way money is at the moment it is doing alright. You can go and see live music nearly every night for free."

Fraser Boon, owner of the Mad Ferret, when asked about the Narnia Festival being hosted at his pub said: "Events like this are important to attract new custom and for bands to get their music across to fresh faces. It seems to attract other people other than regular gig goers and hopefully after seeing the quality of musicians they will be left wanting more."

There is trouble on the horizon as Preston council's plans to redevelop the Tithebarn area of town get ever nearer. The plan will see many alternative clubs such as The Venue, PR1 and possible the alternative nightclub The Warehouse demolished to make way for a John Lewis shop and other retailers.

Russ does not think this is necessarily a bad thing. " It has never been about the buildings. If bands are still wanting to play they will find new venues. It might even give them a kick up the arse and force them to do something", he said.

Unfortunately no one from either Preston Council or the Arts Council could be reached for comment about funding and help given to promote the music culture in Preston.

For a highly subjective and lively discussion about the state of music in Preston and the councils role in all this visit Prestone, a forum for people of Preston to discuss music and anything else they see fit.

The map shows the venues on the university campus and in the town centre.


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