Clubbing 'arena events' .... Is it just pop music now?

newcastle went downhil when galaxy fm became capitol and rpm became vipclubsessions

Completely disagree - don't think anyone should be supposed to do anything unless they want to for the night/music they have heard is going to be on, and is going to be good. To go to keep the scene alive is wrong because you will have clubbers there who are not as up for the night as the more discerned clubbers travelling elsewhere, creating an atmosphere that is mediocre, and where word of mouth does not travel, or travels with a negative vibe.

If the correct venue is chosen and things are done right, although it will be difficult will work best that way. Its obvious though that the venue is essentially important, look at the success of Foundation and Warehouse34 compared to Digital and Cosmic Ballroom, both playing equally good headlining djs, but because the latter 2 venues have never been initially discussed as 'venues people would look forward to going to they have failed. The whole warehouse out of the way from the commercial vibe is what people want, and they don't want to stumble into the findus factory girls on a hen do.

Warehouse 34 works for the same reasons Foundation worked - it's big and dirty and full of people up for it. A huge arena is always going to feel impersonal and corporate cos by and large it is.
There needs to be enough people for you to lose yourself in the crowd but not so big it becomes alienating. And creating an atmosphere and a buzz is an art.
Foundation had an atmosphere as soon as you walked in, Digital never has.

When I used to put on parties I spent as much on the decor and atmospherics as I did on the music. When you walked in you knew you were somewhere special. It's not just a case of expensive light shows and VJ's on a big screen it's about creating an environment where you feel safe and happy and excited and in the know. It's so easy to get everything right with the music, sound system, DJ's and for it all to fall flat cos the venue is boring or corporate. Intrusive and aggressive door staff are also something I hate and corporate events often have that intimidating presence as the first thing you come across.

When the atmosphere is right and the buzz is there then as long as the DJ is competent and you can get enough punters through the door to make it feel full you get a good night regardless of the size of the venue.

Fair points, and fully agree.

Upon reading your initial statement again, a little less tired, bright eyed and bushy tailed, I did misunderstand your position/points and went off on a bit of a rant, to which I hold my hands up......my bad. I still stand by my opinions though 100%....however....

I really wasn't implying it was your attitude that was killing the scene but can see how it could have been perceived that I was, maybe my choice of words could have been a little more apt...... What I was trying to say was the attitude of following a brand 'just because' is whats killing the 'real' scene, yes said brands are going to put on a fairly decent night as they have the financial resources to give it 'all' the trimmings but effectively it's not the actual brand your going to see, it's the performing artists. Which brings us back to brids comments 'would said events have worked without the brand attached?'..... My opinion is no, and personally I think thats wrong as if you strip all that branding etc away you have exactly the same thing, the essence of the night is still there with the performing artists would be the same, the venue the same, just the title on the flyer would be different etc etc.

Only way I can put it simply is, you fill a bottle full of water and try to sell it for 50p, you can't give it away.....you slap a coca cola sticker on it and people would pay you £1.50 for it and snap your hand off without really caring what it is....... But why, the essence/Ingredients of the product are exactly the same? If they looked deeper they would see this, which is where you get your 50 or so people at smaller events who can see something for what it really is...... Not sure if that makes sense but it does to me :-p

I can also see other peoples points re venues, and i'm in full agreement that there is a huge lack of suitable venues in Newcastle...... Warehouse 34 really does capture the essence foundation had but i'd dread to think how much the hire fee is for it? Or what limitations come with it? Which is ultimately what drives smaller nights too less suitable smaller venues, however....how much difference does this really make if you have the right cosmetics (lighting etc) and crowd in support? Obviously some venues are completely unsuitable, you wouldn't go having a trance night at Floritas for example but if the venue you do have is even halfway towards suitable in terms of vibe then surely it helps..... afterall, when your touching the lasers to the DJ smashing out a right tune are you really bothered about what kind of paint is on the walls?

To sum it all up I think basically what i'm trying to say is, everything has to start somewhere, and to get to the heights of said brands support is needed by the local crowd...... if everybody continues to follow the commercial/brand/big venue led events and ignoring the smaller things then ultimately nothing else will ever get off the ground and eventually there will be no choice or diversity as the big boys will be the only ones to have survived...... which is not very good at all in my personal opinion :-S

Rossy is old school if he is in at night based in a small venue/pub/coffee shop that has about 10 people in he basically fucked as he has done the round in less than a hour. With 700 to 1000 in he can work the circuit all night.

Aye that makes sense. Personally I like the Globe that's been going a while now, which is intimate and out of the way and had some really good nights, but each to their own really, I know more people who don't like it. However, I would never think of going to support a night (unless best mates), but of the few times I have been it has been because I fancied a taster of the musical line up that drew me in, plus I know its run by decent people and the small crowds that do go are spot on.

I've been to nights where it was a DJ I'd never heard of playing stuff I don't supposedly like, but with a good bunch of people who are up for a good night in a venue that made you feel wanted, and had a brilliant night. And vice versa. A good party is one where you make the punters feel good about themselves = art of promotion