The Death Of Prog In The UK

moonlitbay wrote: I think Arena has the same problem (not selling enough tickets in the UK). They are now (end of September) playing three gigs in Norway. Hoenefoss, Bergen and Trondheim. I think it's brilliant, but thats just because now I get a chance to see them live again. I've always thought that this band would have no problem filling venues in the UK..... Have they?

You'd think that Arena would have no problems moonlitbay but I suspect even they might struggle to fill a venue in the UK without significant notice. That's not to say that Area are not a good band but merely that (as has already been stated), trying to get an audience to prog gig can (sometimes) be like pushing and octopus through a window blind (i.e. VERY difficult! ).

I'm not sure if this is because there is a conservative streak running through many concert punters who would rather play safe and see an established act like Yes, ELP (when they tour) or even Marillion who can put on a big show and thrill the crowd with known material.

I saw Kino recently at the Astoria and although it was well attended and the band were playing new material, the Marillion/It Bites connection naturally drew more people to it than if it had been four unknown musicians playing the same music.

Elsewhere in the world, live music is still regarded as a good thing to go out and see and thanks to that one element; new bands of whatever genre have the ability to mature and get to know the world. In turn, the world slowly gets to know them and if they are any good, there is a chance that they can go onto the next level.

I guess it's up to those who care to get out there and try and do something about it.

Hmmmm…

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I think Arena has the same problem (not selling enough tickets in the UK). They are now (end of September) playing three gigs in Norway. Hoenefoss, Bergen and Trondheim. I think it's brilliant, but thats just because now I get a chance to see them live again.
I've always thought that this band would have no problem filling venues in the UK..... Have they?

jaguar wrote: Hi there I have just had the pleasure of organising the Summer's End Festival in Gloucester and would like to say that I think there is plenty of prog talent out there, new and more established, desperate to get out and play. But (and it is a big but) ... The single biggest obstacle to the UK prog scene (or lack of it) is the difficulty of getting people out of their homes and into the venues. Without an audience, venue managers won't book prog -  it really is a simple matter of economics. Oasis and Abba tribute bands sell out, prog bands attract thirty if they're lucky; who are they going to book? Summer's End presented six bands in a first class venue at just £18, yet we sold less than 150 tickets. The response from those who attended has been overwhelmingly positive but if the live prog scene is to develop and grow the audience are going to have to shake off the lethargy and support the bands' efforts! Sorry if I sound bolshy but I really feel very passionate about this!!

More power to you sir. I personally have printed out copies of the poster which you guys made available for download and had stuck 'em up in as many places I could.

It was a great line up and everyone who was involved should be proud of themselves!!

I totally agree with your diagnosis. The majority of people need a 'critical mass' of interest before those who like prog passively, cross over into being active participants.

From what I remember, the next big prog event in the UK is the Progeny festival at the London Astoria on Nov 19th & 20th which has Rick Wakeman, Galahad, Richard Sinclair, Landmarq etc, so I guess it's up to those who care (and are local ) to show up and support these guys.

The alternative to this is staying at home and watching Prog die a long slow death in the UK.

Hello Sigod.

In May 2004 the UK music magazine Record Collector published a special entitled Prog Then And Now featuring bands like Radiohead, The Coral, Spiritualized, Muse, Air, The Cooper Temple Clause and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, The Polyphonic Spree, Tool and Super Furry Animals. Most of these bands I don't know but perhaps it gives you some hope. Forget about the great time with the symphonic rock dinosaurs Yes, ELP, King Crimson and Genesis, forget about the wonderful neo-progressive rock movement in The Eighties, spearheaded by Marillion. Nowadays the progrock is regaining respect and emerges in new and creative ways, not always my cup of tea but their is a new spirit!

PROGtologist wrote: Finally a warning to all budding Prog rock bands or senior members of this august musical society, if anyone dares to fuse Prog rock with Rap -  I will hunt you down like a dog & rip your tongue out.

And I'd use black magic against people like that...

But seriously, Prog and Rap don't mix well, at least not in my opinion.

Hi there

I have just had the pleasure of organising the Summer's End Festival in Gloucester and would like to say that I think there is plenty of prog talent out there, new and more established, desperate to get out and play. But (and it is a big but) ...

The single biggest obstacle to the UK prog scene (or lack of it) is the difficulty of getting people out of their homes and into the venues. Without an audience, venue managers won't book prog -  it really is a simple matter of economics. Oasis and Abba tribute bands sell out, prog bands attract thirty if they're lucky; who are they going to book?

Summer's End presented six bands in a first class venue at just £18, yet we sold less than 150 tickets. The response from those who attended has been overwhelmingly positive but if the live prog scene is to develop and grow the audience are going to have to shake off the lethargy and support the bands' efforts!

Sorry if I sound bolshy but I really feel very passionate about this!!

horza wrote: porcupine tree seem to be doing well,opeth are touring uk soon,even when pendragon and marillion were doing small venue tours prog rock was still a minority sport. the uk will always have prog rock heritage

Incidentally, Porcupine Tree's special guest on their tour is a little known guitarist named Robert Fripp - nice to see Steve Wilson further distancing himself from prog, eh?

porcupine tree seem to be doing well,opeth are touring uk soon,even when pendragon and marillion were doing small venue tours prog rock was still a minority sport. the uk will always have prog rock heritage and i', sure new heroes will emerge-are muse prog??

I have located one new UK prog band that has formed recently and that's a group called Strangefish but I haven't heard any of their stuff yes. Apparently they are quite popular with the Classic Rock Society mob up in North England. The last new prog band before that? Possibly Landmarq.

I agree btw Popesta with your evaluation of the big acts and I hope that they inspire younger musicians to take up the genre. Individuals like Syntharachnid are essential to the continued existence of Prog in the UK.

If only I had a million quid, I start up a live venue dedicated to prog...

...but what would I call it?
  

Edited by sigod

Syntharachnid wrote: Blacksword wrote: I dont think it's dead in the UK, but it needs a push start! The challenge: Making YOUNG people take an interest in writing music that is 'good' it does not have to be 'cool' it has to be 'good' Music that is thoughtful and original in its composition. Music that challenges the listener. For this we need to re-acquaint people with an old concept known as 'The attention span' Too many people young and old want everything now!!! Food delivered to their door. 1000 channels of sh!t 'on the TV to choose from' They also want instant music, it's the old 'Bon Jovi syndrome' of DONT BORE US, GET US TO THE CHORUS!! The listening masses need to chill and somehjow be educated in how to enjoy music again. The songs dont have to be 20 minutes long, just interesting, memorable and thoughtfully constructed. Radiohead have made a start, I guess, but it aint enough... I aint got the answers sigod & co, it's YOUNG PEOPLE!!!! WHO HOLD THE KEY. I ORDER EVERYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 25 ON THIS FORUM WITH ANY MUSICAL ABILITY TO FORM A PROG BAND AND PRACTICE YOUR NUTS OFF NOW, AND BRING PROG BACK TO THE MASSES!! DO IT!!! please... I play keyboards, sing and compose, I'm 14, and I've seriously thought about it (or at least dreamed ). But a band needs more than one member, and I've never met another prog fan in my life.  Except a very good bassist friend of mine, but he lives four hours away from me.  And I've failed to successfully convert my friends, too.  And I don't know any good drummers.  But man, It'd be cool to have a prog band that made it really big!

You are potentially part of the future of prog!!  You'll meet musicians as you get older, I'm sure. Always keep your eye on ads in the musuc papers for people looking for other musicians to work with, but most importantly KEEP COMPOSING!! Keep the ideas flowing and keep listening to as much music as you can, learning form the masters but NOT copying them.

Then, move to the UK from Canada and be the saviour of UK prog