Bradford Live

Oh it's bigger for sure. I'm just trying to think of the sort of range they will have to try and make a dent in the market with. As the council wont want to take anything from the Alhambra or SGH, otherwise what's the point in them all? O2s are more music and comedy venues but the comedians tend to go SGH too.

New music venues these days tend to be far bigger than 3,000-ish so it's going to be a challenge to either tempt acts who play at bigger venues to play somewhere more intimate? Are try sell it as a closer feeling type gig. Or, can your guys that perform infront of a few hundred at 02s or equivalents sell enough tickets for a 3,000-ish seater?

 

Just seen the interior on the news - it does look great!

 

It certainly does look fantastic. They are definitely talking a good game, let's hope they live up to it and deliver some top notch acts.

 

The company involved have a proven track record in the industry but I suspect this will be their toughest sell. Bradford itself has a terrible reputation and things such as decent restaurants and hotels and in very short supply. The capacity of the venue is fairly unique around the surrounding area, I think Manchester is the closest, but that brings challenges filling it as it's between start up venues of 1/2,000 and then the big arena's from around 8/10,000 upwards. It's a bit a of niche market. If they can attract decent performers the council may recoup some of their huge outlay but as a Bradfordian scepticism is my middle name.

 

They have a huge job on their hands. People will go for the first few acts with an itch to see what its like, but they need to keep the calendar full with acts for a while. Good luck to them, I really want it to be a success. I know there was a lot of worry when the first company announced it's first bookings were a Bob Marley and I think it was an Abba tribute? My other hesitation towards it is, what else is there to do in the area? Like if in Manchester, I've been to the MEN or whatever it's called now and no matter which door you leave, there's plenty going on around and you're on the doorstep of a bar or a pub for another drink or two if you want after the gig. Same when I've been to the Palace theatre in Manchester, as soon as you leave it feels like there's still something to do with the night if that's what you want. Me and the wife saw Hamilton last month at the Alhambra on a Friday night and walking out the front door, you can see nothing open. There's the spoons in centenary square and that was about it in eye sight with its lights on. I think pretty much all the bars that were behind or to the side of Alhambra are closed down now after Brewdog shut its doors.

Even beforehand, looking for food before the show, the options are pretty limited in that area. There's a few curry houses up the top of Morley St-ish or the Uni end, but within a good walking distance it's limited. We settled on a Nandos, which i don't really mind but it was more because there aren't many options rather than me hankering for chicken. Again, you see something in Manchester or Leeds no matter which arena or theatre you are in, there's a style of eatery for pretty much anything you can think of within a stones throw of most places, or at worst a 10 min walk. Nights out to a gig/show for a vast majority I'd say will include something other than parking up 15/20 before the show and being back in the car 10/15 minutes after it finishes. A majority will want to do something before or after or both, and that area of town just needs more going for it. I know the mindset for the council will be "build it and they will come" hoping business want to fill the empty plot in that area of town, but its a gamble.

 

A good summary of the problems they will face. The hardest getting over what Bradford is perceived as. Doesn't help having Leeds and Manchester less than an hour away with the better night life, hotels and transport infrastructure. Only time will tell I guess.

 

The Bradford perception is something that unfortunately the City does little to combat either, it needs a massive attitude adjustment. I suppose even 20 years back, Leeds didn't have the brands and infrastructure it does now. Manchester either really. I know it's all about money and those Cities spent then to see the benefits years later. It's going to have to be a few years down the line thing to see if this actually works out I suppose. At least it's something new?

 

As you say mate it's not all about attending the gig, as with football it's spending time with a loved one having a meal and possibly a stay over unfortunately as you say Bradford offers very little with regards wining and dining, although not in the best locations both the Midland Hotel and the Great Victoria Hotel have their own nostalgia and would be possibly the best with regards an over night stay.

 

I'm sure if sunbridge Wells was in somewhere like leeds it would be absolutely thriving similar to what ivegate was in the 80s, but agreed Bradford centre does not have the appeal anymore

 

'We didn't invest in Bradford Live to turn a profit' says Alex Ross-Shaw

only a Bradford Councillor would suggest Bradford Live was not saved with the hope of turning a profit going forward.

 

First show that I've seen announced.



Quite an impressive line up of Bradford bands.

 

So it will be open for the City of Culture means it will be open mid December. It's as if they have knocked anything together to just provide an event.

 

Bantams of the Opera are the opening show in August.
Bought a ticket mostly to experience visiting the venue.

 

You know it’s in the centre of Bradford right?

 

Definitely inside the Live venue, main auditorium.
Unless there’s some derision in your reply BBB

 

Derision?

Moi?

 

I agree me and the wife will visit the old girl to reminisce the great times we spent together during the 60s watching the likes of the Beatles, Stones, Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry and many more, it was quite a magnificent building back then even more magnificent now I'm told.

 

Some icons there.