Square Roots Promotions

Portsmouth's premier venue for alt country, Americana, and Folk music

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Square Blog Vol. 2 – A Minor Rant!

April 12, 2013 by Ken 1 Comment

I was very fortunate indeed to see the ‘Main Man”, one Mr Steve Earle, along with his band The Dukes, at the Colston Hall in Bristol recently – and what a gig it was too! Encompassing early day classics such as “Guitar Town”, “My Old Friend The Blues” and “Copperhead Road” via “Taney Town” and “The Revolution Starts Now”, to most of the new   “Low Highway” album, it was a man back in the saddle and on top form relishing the opportunity that playing with a band of this calibre offers (step forward the wonderful Mastersons!).

Now at £30 a ticket (and for a two and a quarter hour show) I felt this was good value. However, £30 is not to be sniffed at, so imagine my surprise when two…what I will politely describe as….bozo’s, a few rows in front of me, kept disappearing for fresh alcoholic refills, and at one stage going AWOL for a full 20 minutes midst set! Thus missing a stomping “Copperhead Road” into the bargain!

Clearly now on the inebriated side, they talked loudly through some of the quieter numbers much to the annoyance of the people directly in front of them, and then when Steve and ensemble departed the stage prior to the first encore, started screaming “play something we know Waylon”!! I hung my head in exasperation!

This is always something that mystifies me – why do people pay good money to go to gigs and then proceed to talk loudly all night with their co-conspirators, ignoring what they’ve paid money to see in the first place?! What’s the point?!

Surely they realise that if they’re talking then not only are they spoiling the enjoyment of others around them who have paid their hard-earned readies to see and listen to the artists, but in some cases actually perturb and disturb the artists themselves?

I’ve been to many gigs where I’ve (politely at first, and then not so politely after!) asked people around me to stop being so loud as I’ve paid my money to listen to the music and NOT them! I normally follow that up with a “If you want to talk, then go outside and stop spoiling it for others”, and it normally works.

I was once called a “bald cockney” at a Saw Doctors gig for my troubles after telling a group of 4 people sitting behind me to err, shut it, after they had yelled various Irish slogans so loudly in my ear constantly for two songs that I couldn’t even hear the band! They did cease with the shouting after that, but on the way out gave me my new nickname and ran off! I did chortle at their inventiveness!

Yes we all pay our money, but does that give them the right to do what they want at the expense of other’s enjoyment? Not in my book it doesn’t! Yes, we’ve all chatted at gigs, but if I need to say something then it’s done quietly in the ear, not shouted so that it tops the music!

It’s rude, it’s discourteous, and it’s not clever….just don’t get me started on venue bar staff…….:)

Ken B

Ps – feel free to stay on the website and have a look at the gigs we have coming up…:)

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Comments

  1. Kevin Oliver says

    May 31, 2013 at 7:51 am

    I totally agree Ken. Whatever happened to whispering in the ear of someone rather than talking out loud? It’s just like inconsiderate mobile users who think their often banal conversations are of interest to all and sundry.

    Reply

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In case you didn't realise folks, our show at the beautiful The Tea Tray with the awesome The Luck is now almost sold out!! There are a few tickets left that's all - and here's why! If you wanna grab those last tickets then they're here: www.wegottickets.com/event/459426 _ remember, they're NOT in the shops! :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCxRw6Dv7qoSong 'Leave Your Light On' by The Luck. Live stream clips taken from weekly performances on our Twitch channel www.twitch.tv/theluckmusic Made by the wonderf...
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PlayThe Dead South

This from The Dead South folks - Portsmouth we salute you! If you’re new to Square Roots then check out our website and maybe sign up to our mailing list - cos when we have news you’ll be the first to have a chance of getting tickets....www.squarerootspromotions.co.uk

The Dead South
This is what happens when you believe in yourselves and push through all the garbage that comes your way. This is what happens when you find people you love and they find you. This is what happens when teams, families and bonds are created and work together. This is us. Thank you, everyone. So damn much. Huge shoutout to our main man Del Suelo and our amazingly talented friends The Hooten Hallers for opening every night and slaying it. You are all incredible people. Huge thanks to Six Shooter Records for kicking so much butt and making us feel alive. Also, big thank you to Midnight Mango Ltd for getting us into these amazing venues. To the people who came out to the shows, sweat, spilt, moved and just enjoyed themselves. Let's do it again! #BastardSonTour
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Some more great photos from our The Dead South show on Wednesday taken by Rob Hall - Enjoy!Image attachmentImage attachment

Some more great photos from our The Dead South show on Wednesday taken by Rob Hall - Enjoy! ... See MoreSee Less

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Was a great night 👌

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PlayThe Goat Roper Rodeo Band

If there are any of our page "likers" who have yet to see the awesome The Goat Roper Rodeo Band - then you REALLY need to come see them at their Square Tower show on 30th March, as part of their new album launch tour. They are all kinds of wonderful - one the most exciting live bands around that much is certain, with the chops to match! If you haven't got tickets yet....well there are just 10 left! They're at www.wegottickets.com/event/454399 or in store at Southsea's Pie and Vinyl, Southsea Gallery or Harbour Records Emsworth...but be quick!

The Goat Roper Rodeo Band
So you guys all know our 3rd record 'Tall Grass' is out March 18th right??? We got Vinyl on the way, CDs and digital download from all big stores!!! 🐐✌️ We thought a little taster was in order, so here's 'Unwrap My Bones' the title track of the record, this is footage we gathered from trips to The Netherlands + touring over here too We'd love to know what you think 🤠 here's the YouTube link if you fancy giving it a like over there 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30_TS89fekw Edited by Brandon Ridley
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Some great photos here with the Hooten Hallers at our Dead South show last Wednesday 😀Image attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

Some great photos here with the Hooten Hallers at our Dead South show last Wednesday 😀Show #10 The Hooten Hallers, supporting The Dead South 's The Bastard Son 2019 UK-tour, Portsmouth. Big Muddy Records 🤘 ... See MoreSee Less

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From The Blog

Square Blog Vol. 7 – Our AMA UK Nominations

So it’s that very exciting time of the year when us members of the AMA (UK) get to nominate those musicians and songwriters that have made our world a much better and more tolerable place to live in over the last year. It was John Miles (remember him kids?!) who actually wrote the immortal line,… Read More »

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