Response to Michelle Dee's Gigging in Hull (1/3) By Dj Mak

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

In response to my good friend Michelle Dee's Gigging In Hull piece on ThisisUll.com I thought it be right for me to explain the stance and ethos of The Sesh at The Linnet & Lark on Princes Ave. The night was started nearly four years ago - 4th Birthday Celebrations in October -and was set up by myself with the help of Martin Knight of The Favours and Digsy of the 59 Violets, to provide a platform for the unsigned talent that was clearly beginning to thrive in this fair city.

Despite many hurdles and obstacles the night began to grow and by the end of the first twelve months it was becoming established as a respected weekly showcase.

The venue is first and foremost a pub, not a live music venue. I never expected The Sesh night to grow to the extent it has, but what I was hoping to do from the start was to build up a community of like minded souls who appreciated live original music. I was determined at the beginning, to keep The Sesh a local showcase and leave the more exotic and more established bands and artists nationwide to the real live music venues such as The Adelphi and Ringside.

I never intended to hinder their nights. If anything, The Sesh I feel has helped create a buzz about watching live music in Hull again and therefore, hopefully it has helped them. Ask anyone who attends The Sesh, I use my annoying voice to highlight live events across the city at all venues, week in week out. It's not all about me, or The Sesh, it's all about Baz! Well, all the Baz's of the city!

It was decided to make it a free entry gig as the logistics of making it a pay on the door event at someone's local wasn't feasible. This obviously benefited the night by making it more accessible to those who wouldn't usually go out of their way to watch original music. Which I think it has done, and if anything has given the local music fraternity a boost in the last few years.

The bands and artists therefore gain from this by playing to a decent crowd instead of one man and his dog and a few friends and relatives. From experience, I know there are many other venues across the country that insist that bands either pay to play or ensure they bring a healthy crowd of 30 + to their nights.

We at least don't do that. I'm not being conceited but I believe The Sesh has helped, whether it's been a case of giving a band more confidence in playing to a decent crowd, raising a bands profile by playing their demos or by showing their photos, compiling Sesh CD's, or just by giving local talent exposure through the media outlets and helping to create a network. As soon as it becomes a money issue, the night will lose its soul.

The venue obviously wins by increased bar takings which in the real world, a good percentage of that should then be passed over to the promoter and artists. It just doesn't work like that unfortunately. If I had a pound for every time someone has told me to move The Sesh elsewhere and get myself and the bands our just rewards then I'd be a very rich man. The reality is I love The Linnet and I love the Avenues, but more importantly, I love talent.

The Sesh works because of its location first and foremost. Though 70% of The Sesh crowd might be regulars to the night, 30% will stumble across it because of it's location.

Continued..... Next Page (2/3).

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