Miss Vincent Discuss: The Boileroom & UK Live Music
With Guildford venue the Boileroom facing the possibility of closure, TMMP caught up with local rockers Miss Vincent to discuss the Boileroom and the state of the UK’s live music scene.
This interview is part of a larger TMMP feature which can be read in full here.
What is your general opinion of the Boileroom?
As a band, it’s one of our favourite venues. We’ve played there a number of times and been to countless shows ourselves. Great sound, great people, always great times. Guildford’s lucky to have such a venue!
How did you feel when you heard about the Boileroom’s current problems?
Absolutely gutted.
What would happen if the Boileroom were to shut down? What impact would that event have?
It would be an enormous shame to see the Boileroom close. It is arguably the heart of Guildford’s amazing music scene and has given many emerging acts valuable exposure and experience playing at the venue. Furthermore, it provides a safe and welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and ages to enjoy live music and other events.
What is your favourite Boileroom-related memory?
That would have to be when we played Hool-A-Palooza back in May of this year. Loads of great bands and music fans coming together to raise awareness and money in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Over £1200 was raised in total so it was amazing to be a part of that, and it couldn’t have happened without the Boileroom.
How do you feel about the state of the UK’s live music scene right now? What could be done to improve things?
Too many small venues are closing. With the Peel in Kingston closing recently it would be another massive blow to the UK music scene to see the Boileroom follow. People simply need to support their local venues more! Buy a ticket in advance, go to a show, check out that band your mate told you about, buy a drink or five, and then take all your mates when you go back!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
We love the Boileroom. We really cannot stress enough just how much of a shame it would be to see it go, not to mention the damage it would do to the local music scene and ultimately the community. Hopefully this issue is a mere speed bump in the long life of a highly valued and important venue.
Links
Miss Vincent on Facebook and Twitter.
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