Topic ID 1941
The popular music and comedy I've seen advertised for Castle Hall this autumn: marty wilde ELO tribute The 'Voice of Dr Hook' Nashville Nights and Dixie Days (Garth Brooks tribute!omg!!) Talon (Eagles tribute) Comedy Frank Carson and Norman Collier Buddy Holly tribute Pink Floyd tribute Overtures (Beatles covers?) If anyone from Castle Hall is reading this: 1: MOST OF IN HERTFORD ARE UNDER 50!! (and just because the rest of us are over 50 we haven't all gone ga-ga. Amazingly we like some of the stuff made in the last 20 years. We also like some of the old stuff too but we don't need to see the MOR stuff again rehashed by dummies -we've got madame tussauds for that.) 2. If you ever book a 'Smokie' tribute act I am moving to Ware.
Reply ID 24768
Suddenly, it's clear why there is a Marquee, for all it's faults! Yep, Castle Hall= entertainment for the elderly. They gotta go somewhere and this characterless replica of the elephant house at London Zoo is obviously it, poor devils. When it first opened, there was a disco every Friday I used to go to to "pull" teenage girls (I wasn't 47 then, I hasten to add). It was quashed due to objections to the large number of "youths" left over in the street after capacity was reached and the requirement for extra policing to disperse disappointed queues. It appears that it was perhaps the last time the hall was regularly not large enough to swallow the audience who wished to attend. Since then, am-dram, MOR tributes and craft fairs. How do you start a fight amongst antique stalls of beads and lace pillow cases? Anyway, it's run by carefully selected public service employees. I'm sure they know what's best for us.
Reply ID 24772
The offerings organised by EHDC at Castle Hall are dreadfully mediocre and dated in the main. There are the occasional exceptions, such as The Reduced Shakespere Company (although they only visited once) and the Ladies Night thing, which I'm told was very good. Generally though, the programme is unimaginitive. Some of the events staged by local individuals and groups can be very good though.
Reply ID 24773
Here here Shunt! Thank God and Kevin for the Marquee!! I got pissed off at the carping on ealier threads. I'd really like some great second division (but first rate!) bands to come to Hertford, and Castle Hall could be a good size for them. For my own tastes The Alabama 3, Julian Cope, Nick Lowe, Jonathan Richman are great acts that could fill the place. There are masses more for oldies and younguns alike that I would no doubt hate but bring 'em on... To be a bit more positive I have enjoyed some stuff at CH - Georgie Fame was cool and I would have liked to see Joe Brown when he was there.
Reply ID 24776
Abba tribute was a cracking night as well and as long as they keep selling out these theme nights they will keep on booking 'em.
Reply ID 24779
Good. If it really is what people want, then long may it continue. Every taste catered for, of course, is the ideal. I am of a generation who remembers Eurovision's Abba at their peak. They were always a MOR band that mother's and aged aunt's approved of, shunned by anyone younger, because they had no rebellious message and you couldn't dance to them without looking like your dad. For that reason, I'm programmed to think they were "naff" (except for an excellent cover of Charles 'Asnovoice's, "The Day Before You Came"). I understand they now have a strong following amongst those who were children first time round and have become an icon to many new "Dancing Queens". Ain't nuttin' wrong with that. Incidently, was it Bjorn Again that you saw, or another copy?
Reply ID 24782
Castle Hall has always been neither one thing or the other as a venue unfortunately - big enough for a craft fair but never quite big enough to be a serious proposition for the bigger names. As a result, acts such as Bill Wymans Rythym Kings, David Essex, or any of the current crop of tv comics will always end up playing at Gordon Craig, Dartford Orchard, Wycome Swan etc.
Reply ID 24817
Add to the bands/performers that could fill Castle Hall: Hayseed Dixie........fantastic Nick Harper..........the man is a musical genius* Omid Djalili.........laughed so much it hurt Emo Phillips.........more pain from laughing The Polyphonic Spree....there's a lot of them (20+ on stage) Come on Castle Hall, liven up a bit please. We're not all old, nor are we into a lot of what's on offer at The Marquee. *Nick Harper prefers smaller, more intimate venues and could easily fill the hall.
Reply ID 24819
quote:But why would these bands try an untested venue such as Hertford Castle Hall when they could get more income from a larger and previously used venue where they are more certain of a larger pay packet?
Originally posted by Fish Wife
Add to the bands/performers that could fill Castle Hall: Hayseed Dixie........fantastic Nick Harper..........the man is a musical genius* Omid Djalili.........laughed so much it hurt Emo Phillips.........more pain from laughing The Polyphonic Spree....there's a lot of them (20+ on stage) Come on Castle Hall, liven up a bit please. We're not all old, nor are we into a lot of what's on offer at The Marquee. *Nick Harper prefers smaller, more intimate venues and could easily fill the hall.
Reply ID 24821
quote:Just "more pain". He is one of the most irritating comedians I've come across. Can you imagine him on the same bill as Joe Pasquale? Aaaaaggghhh! [:0]
Originally posted by Fish Wife
Emo Phillips.........more pain from laughing
Reply ID 24827
I agree on Emo, but I guess that we all have different tastes.
Reply ID 24828
Although castle hall may cater for an older audience as someone who has seen the led Zeppelin tribute act Whole Lotta Led play twice and seen that along with Limehouse Lizzy they attracted a large number of younger people who could not have seen the original. It would be nice to see it diversify with some of the acts mentioned but this is extremely unlikely. Emo Philips is able to sell out far larger venues and I imagine if for some unknown reason he happened to be booked for castle hall most of those who attended would propbably come from outside the town anyway.
Reply ID 24850
I'm beginning to come round on this one. Marquee's showcase format is not for everybody and these copycat acts clearly have a following. Hmmm, serve me another slice of that humble pie!
Reply ID 24854
I agree that it is very difficult to cater for all tastes and also that it is even more difficult to try and get more popular acts/bands into a venue such as the Castle Hall. But saying this I think the Castle Hall is a fantastic venue and has a lot of potential to be bigger. It needs to take a step up the profile ladder and start trying a bit harder, I can't help thinking that the effort is not being put in to make it a more popular venue for both the entertainers and the public alike. It's easy for us all to sit at our computers and list acts and bands we would like to see, I have even it done it myself in the past when we last had this topic on here. But its another thing getting those acts to play at Hertford, not saying that they won't but it is not as easy as it might at first seem.
Reply ID 24927
My own experience of booking acts was that, when an artist reaches a certain level of popularity, it is "management" who determines where they play. I ran a venue which was split into a large dancefloor and stage and a smaller one in the same building. By lumping the two together and quoting the combined capacity of 1,000 to agents, I could gain a discount or sometimes it would even make the difference between the artist agreeing to appear or not. Exposure counts. 1,000 seemed to be a threashold. What is the capacity of Castle Hall?
Reply ID 24985
I saw Whole Lotta Led at CH and it was a fantastic gig. The only worthwhile tribute acts are the ones that recreate the sounds (and sometimes visuals) of a band that no longer plays, eg. Abba, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Thin lizzy. Pointless tribute acts include... Girls R Aloud, Oasisn't and 'The Bootleg Jools Holland Orchestra' - I'm sure the latter sounds OK but why (in this case)pretend to be another orchestra. Anyway the most memorable Castle Hall gig I ever went to was The Damned - not a tribute but the real band. My ears stopped ringing two days later!!!
Reply ID 24988
Would anyone be interested in watching the original Roulettes from the 60s if I could arrange it? Obviously there wouldn't be Adam Faith (RIP) but, depending on the target audience on this site and people that you know, I may be able to get them to perform at The Castle Hall (sorry Theatre) at some stage. They play all manner of 60's songs along with their own stuff. Guitars, drums and keyboards. Proper entertainment. Great night out for those that appreciate it!
Reply ID 25027
quote:As far as Harper is concerned, he's not interested in big gigs, prefering small, intimate venues. I can always ask him???
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:But why would these bands try an untested venue such as Hertford Castle Hall when they could get more income from a larger and previously used venue where they are more certain of a larger pay packet?
Originally posted by Fish Wife
Add to the bands/performers that could fill Castle Hall: Hayseed Dixie........fantastic Nick Harper..........the man is a musical genius* Omid Djalili.........laughed so much it hurt Emo Phillips.........more pain from laughing The Polyphonic Spree....there's a lot of them (20+ on stage) Come on Castle Hall, liven up a bit please. We're not all old, nor are we into a lot of what's on offer at The Marquee. *Nick Harper prefers smaller, more intimate venues and could easily fill the hall.
Reply ID 25028
quote:Phew, for a minute there I thought you meant The Rubettes, in which case get me 6 tickets! ......Sugar Baby Love....sugar baby love...
Originally posted by Berbatov
Would anyone be interested in watching the original Roulettes from the 60s if I could arrange it? Obviously there wouldn't be Adam Faith (RIP) but, depending on the target audience on this site and people that you know, I may be able to get them to perform at The Castle Hall (sorry Theatre) at some stage. They play all manner of 60's songs along with their own stuff. Guitars, drums and keyboards. Proper entertainment. Great night out for those that appreciate it!
Reply ID 25033
Hey, I have most of their 45's, sorry vinyl records for the benefit of the younger ones here. Had to have them for the Weddings you understand.
Reply ID 25048
quote:At least "most of their records" will take up very little space in your record box.
Originally posted by 60sDJ
Hey, I have most of their 45's, sorry vinyl records for the benefit of the younger ones here. Had to have them for the Weddings you understand.
Reply ID 25053
quote:How can 'Marty Wilde' be a tribute band? ... surley he is the real thing?
Originally posted by ridley
The popular music and comedy I've seen advertised for Castle Hall this autumn: marty wilde ELO tribute The 'Voice of Dr Hook' Nashville Nights and Dixie Days (Garth Brooks tribute!omg!!) Talon (Eagles tribute) Comedy Frank Carson and Norman Collier Buddy Holly tribute Pink Floyd tribute Overtures (Beatles covers?) If anyone from Castle Hall is reading this: 1: MOST OF IN HERTFORD ARE UNDER 50!! (and just because the rest of us are over 50 we haven't all gone ga-ga. Amazingly we like some of the stuff made in the last 20 years. We also like some of the old stuff too but we don't need to see the MOR stuff again rehashed by dummies -we've got madame tussauds for that.) 2. If you ever book a 'Smokie' tribute act I am moving to Ware.
Reply ID 25061
quote:All apart from his hair! [;)]
Originally posted by azzza How can 'Marty Wilde' be a tribute band? ... surley he is the real thing?
Reply ID 25063
....and several of his hits, which were covers.
Reply ID 25116
If Marty Wilde was a tribute act he'd have to be Mar T. Wild and wear a tribute hairpiece.
Reply ID 25131
quote:You are right. He is better classified as teen idol, performer of American covers. Though not a teen anymore, he is an experienced performer. It's a bit like the Pussycat Dolls will be in 45 years time............er... mebbe not!
Originally posted by lemonjelly
If Marty Wilde was a tribute act he'd have to be Mar T. Wild and wear a tribute hairpiece.
Reply ID 25164
quote:Excellent! ***** is censored!
Originally posted by shuntquote:You are right. He is better classified as teen idol, performer of American covers. Though not a teen anymore, he is an experienced performer. It's a bit like the *****cat Dolls will be in 45 years time............er... mebbe not!
Originally posted by lemonjelly
If Marty Wilde was a tribute act he'd have to be Mar T. Wild and wear a tribute hairpiece.
Reply ID 25176
quote:Or even one of those Mirkins a la Hartham.....[:0]
Originally posted by lemonjelly
If Marty Wilde was a tribute act he'd have to be Mar T. Wild and wear a tribute hairpiece.
Reply ID 25177
quote:Roulettes or Rubettes? either way, neither would take up much room.
Originally posted by 60sDJ
Hey, I have most of their 45's, sorry vinyl records for the benefit of the younger ones here. Had to have them for the Weddings you understand.
Reply ID 25185
Anyway, they all live locally and 'perform and entertain' rather than just sing. They get the whole audience up dancing. If it is not to be anyones taste, fair enough, as it was only an idea as everyone seems to slate the Castle Hall programme so I thought I'd throw in a suggestion to liven the place up.
Reply ID 25226
I see the Counterfeit Stones are on in November. They may be a tribute act but they are fantastic! IMO will be the best act on at Castle Hall this year so can't complain about this one.
Reply ID 25627
Apparently they have Buddy Holly playing Friday December 8 - Starts 8pm!!! Who next Lennon, Kurt Cobain?
Reply ID 26396
I've just had the autumn edition of Link through the door, which contains listings for Castle Hall. Tribute bands may not be my taste, but when the program of events is viewed as a whole, there's not a bad choice. Kids stuff, poetry, ballet, musical shows and the newly added cinema showings all add up to a pretty good showing for a municipal venue. I might even get over my abhorrance of the achitecture and bland bar experience to go to a couple.
Reply ID 26398
Jeremy Paxman is also on in 7th Nov (talking about his book on Royalty).
Reply ID 26412
Hey - old geezers from the late 60's Sort of completly off topic - John Mayall and Chicken Shack are on the same bill at St Albans Arena Nov 4 Be there or be .... ...and here's one from Bachman, Turner, Overdrive! Paul
Reply ID 26759
Thanks for that comment. Just thought I'd mention that I could have had Julian Cope and Alabama 3 at the Marquee but didn't dare risk it because no one ever comes
quote:
Originally posted by ridley
Here here Shunt! Thank God and Kevin for the Marquee!! I got pissed off at the carping on ealier threads. I'd really like some great second division (but first rate!) bands to come to Hertford, and Castle Hall could be a good size for them. For my own tastes The Alabama 3, Julian Cope, Nick Lowe, Jonathan Richman are great acts that could fill the place. There are masses more for oldies and younguns alike that I would no doubt hate but bring 'em on... To be a bit more positive I have enjoyed some stuff at CH - Georgie Fame was cool and I would have liked to see Joe Brown when he was there.
Reply ID 26777
Kev, Please bring on Alabama 3. I'll come. I really will. Please. Please. It'll save me all those trips to Brixton.
Reply ID 26779
I know Kev has been active in music promotion for many years more than I ever was, and will already know there is a basic problem with most local live venues. It is difficult to fill them on the draw of showcase bands and expensive acts don't solve the problem either. Even though big names can fill a London venue, for most people, a visit to any live performance is a rare and small part of their social calender. To put bums on seats, or dancers in the pit, and give up-and-coming performers a decent audience, a local venue has to have a draw other than the music, otherwise it becomes a venue for musicians and yet, still does not serve them with the wider audience they desire and need to create a performance atmosphere. If either the Marquee or Castle Hall were places which one might visit when there was no specific entertainment, they would both be packed when there was. Squeeze a band into the corner of a pub and it will be guaranteed a good, interactive audience. Marketing the venue and making the bands almost incidental, is hard for a musician to come to terms with, but good business. The problems are made worse by the requirement of equipment, space and the balance between a venue being both robust and welcoming in a larger venue. The things to think about are to do with the rest of the experience, not the acts. Look at what the venue feels like to customers. How is entry handled? How are customers welcomed at the door and by who? How does it feel to a stranger, who might not know who everybody is and can only go on first impressions? Can you still have a good night out, even if the band is not entirely to your taste? Get the feel right, get the bar right, get the hospitality right, then think about the acts. In this thread, and others, there have been comments which indicate that some find Castle Hall dull and impersonal and the Marquee, intimidating. Those are problems to address ahead of artistic content.
Reply ID 26787
I go to Walkern blues club on a semi-regular basis and they seem to have cracked the problem - there are quite a few bands which has a mix of old and new. I suspect it is an enthusiasts venue, but there seem to be lots of blues enthusiasts around judging by the turnout - eg when Nine Below Zero or Wilko Johnson play it is packed to the rafters!
Reply ID 27743
As you Know I am an old geezer, But me and me friends like music. Could call us music tarts. When you have heard 30 years of music you can tell the difference between crap and someting with a "groove'. eg Aphex Twin. I had a great night out at The Dammed final tour gig (at the Castle - yes, the castle, three years ago) and I would go to a Julian Cope, Nick Lowe or Jonathan Richman gig (and 'because I am old - pay thru the nose). You must remember, the baby boomers are the "music generation " the kids now have less to interest them in the music field. Latest downloads johnny cash_solitary man (2000) 192 021 Rolling Stones - Their Satanic Majesties Request (UK 1967) (@256) 029 Black Sabbath - Essential 025 The Byrds-Fifth Dimension 024 Public Enemy - Fear Of A Black Planet 023 The Who Sell Out 1967 019 Suicide-First Album 018 Captain Beefheart-Trout Mask Replica(Darkside_RG) 014 Hounds Of Love 012 Grateful Dead-Live Dead 011 The Velvet Underground - 1967 010 Liege & Lief 1969 009 Sonic Youth-Sister 008 The Zombies-Odessey and Oracle 30th Anniversary Edition( 007 John Coltrane - First Meditations 006 Nick Cave - 1997 The Boatman's Call 005 Kiss - Destroyer (The Remasters) - 1997 004 Belle and Sebastian-If You're Feeling Sinister 003 The Stooges-FunHouse 001 Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska [1982] 027 Anthology of American Folk Music 030 Bunny Wailer-Blackheart Man 044 Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady 038 The Kinks-Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society 031 Alexander 'Skip' Spence - Oar Miles Davis - Dark Magus (1997) [FLAC] Ramones-Its_Alive-1979-END-iNT A Nightly Ritual Joni Mitchell-11 cds Funkadelic - Maggot Brain [1971] Fred Neil-3 cd Neil Young elvis presley-the sun studio sessions (flac) +cover ACDC - Back in Black 089 Dusty Springfield - Dusty In Mephis Ps We like Handel too, and download from "the torrents" 10 Cds a day. Don't let us down!
quote:
Originally posted by kevsaunders
Thanks for that comment. Just thought I'd mention that I could have had Julian Cope and Alabama 3 at the Marquee but didn't dare risk it because no one ever comesquote:
Originally posted by ridley
Here here Shunt! Thank God and Kevin for the Marquee!! I got pissed off at the carping on ealier threads. I'd really like some great second division (but first rate!) bands to come to Hertford, and Castle Hall could be a good size for them. For my own tastes The Alabama 3, Julian Cope, Nick Lowe, Jonathan Richman are great acts that could fill the place. There are masses more for oldies and younguns alike that I would no doubt hate but bring 'em on... To be a bit more positive I have enjoyed some stuff at CH - Georgie Fame was cool and I would have liked to see Joe Brown when he was there.
Reply ID 27745
If you can get Nick Lowe and Jonathan Richman I'll be there!