Remember A Day

As I type, Glastonbury 2025 is well underway. Many of the acts are ones we have never heard of, though the younger generation certainly have, and they will experience the elation of seeing and hearing their music favourites in that iconic setting.

Through the years, each summer's youthful attendees will have had similar joy etched into their memories as they witnessed their idols in action on the stage.

The artistes who appear at Glastonbury who have been around for years are also received rapturously, perhaps because they are so respected and revered. I have often wondered though, if some of those artistes and bands were starting out today, would we all have ever got to hear their incredible sounds?

The live popular music scene has played out since the 1950s in countless music venues, large and small. Most of the iconic bands we know and love started out gigging at these venues. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, then later the likes of Madness and a plethora of others too numerous to list. Not only could they hone their skills by performing regularly, but they could build on their support at grass roots level because of that regularity. In addition, they could attract the attention of people skilled at managing and promoting.

Sadly, the number of live music venues has woefully declined, so bands often struggle to find anywhere to play. Those venues that do offer live music often only have covers or tribute bands to play. There may be many reasons why so many live music venues have closed, some factors possibly being that people became used to listening and watching music online instead of going out, or that the smoking ban had a negative effect, or the higher cost of going out for an evening. The way people listen to music has definitely changed.

In correlation to that, the number of record labels also diminished to leave but a few major companies and a smattering of independents for a while, though happily, in recent years, there have been many small labels who have started up and managed to establish themselves, maintaining a good following. These include Mega Dodo, Fruits De Mer and Cherry Red.

Luckily, some venues did survive including the wonderful Exeter Phoenix 'right on the doorstep'. It is here that we can see bands from the 60s, 70s, 80s, all the way up to contemporary bands. It is, of course, also home to Phonic FM with its team of dedicated DJs such as Paul Giblin, who play the songs that may not otherwise get heard across the 'airwaves'.

It is hear also, that one such contemporary band The Honey Pot who release their music on Mega Dodo and Fruits De Mer records, will be performing at Studio 1 on Saturday August 16th, bringing echoes of psyche rock, guitar solos, deep groove freak-out jams, The Doors, The Small Faces, The Airplane, a whole cornucopia of California revolution and London style. They will be giving away a CD of sunshine-related songs for everyone who purchases a ticket (for collection on the evening), and will be joined by talented, local guitarist, singer and songwriter Karl Zumar. They would, of course, love to see you.

Not heard of The Honey Pot, Mega Dodo or Fruits De Mer?  Perhaps if this was 1975 again........

Crystal Jacqueline