Promising future for music scene?

By Paul Maughan
BBC Wear contributer

Morrissey played at Sunderland in February, 2008

For years, a lack of venues in Sunderland meant the city's music scene became almost non-existent.

Popular bands regularly flocked to Newcastle for gigs but ignored Sunderland, and Wearside became increasingly desperate for live events.

Then the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend came to Herrington Park in 2005 and its massive success seemed to kick-start the city.

This coincided with new venues opening and bands then started to come. The most high-profile being Arctic Monkeys, who played Manor Quay in the week they first hit number one.

Sunderland Empire

Sunderland had been put on the musical map, and now established acts like Morrissey have begun performing at the newly offered venues, such as the redeveloped Sunderland Empire.

Looking from the stage at the Sunderland Empire

General manager of the Empire, Paul Ryan, said that it is important that people go to see events in the city.

He said: "Whether Morrissey or Mozart, the more people that turn off their TV set and come to a live event in the city the better.

"With shows selling out in less than an hour, we have started to build promoters' confidence that Sunderland does have an audience for this type of event and that there are places to house them."

Independent

The re-opening of Bar36 as Independent has also been pivotal in the re-emergence of the city's music scene.

Since opening in 2006, Independent has hosted acts such as The Zutons and The Long Blondes, whilst Mercury Prize winners The Klaxons chose the spot to play a Leeds festival warm-up.

Owner Paul Smiles believes the accommodating treatment afforded to touring bands has played a key role in the bar's success.

He said: "Since the day Independent opened we have tried to treat every band as well as we can, doing the little things to ensure they have everything needed.

"This makes an impression which gets passed on to agents and other promoters and word gets around it's a good place to play."

However, Paul believes Sunderland faces obstacles if it wants to compare with its Tyneside neighbours.

He said: "We approached Young Knives not so long ago, and got the reply 'we are only playing the big cities'.

"I don't think there will ever come a point where every touring band entertains the folk of Sunderland, like at Newcastle, because every size of band is catered for there.

"But we will keep putting good bands on and it will allow the people of Sunderland to come watch some live music, before the bands are famous and charting."

The Futureheads at the Royal Albert Hall

Futureheads homecoming

One band to have played Independent are The Futureheads, who are the city's most famous musical export.

The band are one of the most popular indie bands in the country and after playing two homecoming gigs just before Christmas, they believe the future is bright for the city.

Lead singer Barry Hyde said: "Sunderland has a very healthy music scene, there is a definite explosion in people's interests to go and see live music, and I think it is really promising that bands are coming to Sunderland to play.

"All it takes is for a crowd to blow a band's expectations and they will come back every time. Crowds in Sunderland certainly have that potential."

Sunderland may not be quite on a par with rivals just yet, but it is certainly improving, and hopefully within a few years even more bands will come to Sunderland, which really will be cause for celebration.