So, it’s almost time to head back into the Loughborough bubble for another year, the Freshers week line-up has been announced and so the anticipation and excitement begins.
The line-up reveal seems as good a place as any to reflect on the music scene in Loughborough – or more to the point, the lack of music scene.
Between the Union Entertainment department and the various clubs and bars around town it is clear to see the huge following in dubstep, house, techno, drum and bass and varied other dance/electronic music. As such the Dubstep scene has exploded, Skream, Benga and High Contrast to name but a few acts have all performed to sell out crowds. Acts such as Modestep, DJ Fresh and Nero have all performed at the Student Union, proving big favourites and drawing in big audiences.
This is excellent. Credit to the Union Entertainment department for drawing in such acts and also to the clubs and bars around town as well.
The real shame is the lack of alternative, rock, pop, acoustic, indie, rap and a multitude of other genres of music of which all are very under-appreciated and under-supported.
Is this a reflection of the trend, the musical tastes of students or the lack of provision of good music in these genres? Is there even an audience for non-electro/dance music?
The Students Union, via Freefest earlier in the year, did a good job of wheeling out a selection of alternative acts and was seen as a huge success across campus. I personally enjoyed the music and acts on display. I hope this shows that there is an audience for this kind of music and begins to hint at a developing underbelly of music, local bands and live acts in Loughborough. Either way it is good to see the Students Union getting behind local acts.
Subversion provides a limited outlet for rock and alternative music-lovers.
From a hometown where there is always somewhere with a live-band or performance on, it is bizarre to me to see a gulf in the music scene.
There may well be a saviour in Aura Live on LCR. Aura Live promises to deliver the best in local bands, two tracks each week and an interview with the band. This is not all that much considering the broadcasting potential of LCR but it is a great start.
I am very relieved to see something is being done about the music scene in Loughborough. I am certain that there are others like myself whom value live music and are keen to push the development of the music scene.
I am open to other opinions and am keen to get a dialogue going.
What are your views on the local music scene? Is there enough live music? Could there be more? Is there an audience for it?
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