Blues2Go – Arches Music Venue October 2020

 

Blues2Go – Arches Music Venue October 2020

by Pete Clemons

It really is great to see indoor live music making a comeback in Coventry. And leading the way for the return of these events is the Arches Music Venue based in Spon End.

I am truly pleased, not least, for the musicians who must be incredibly relieved that the restrictions have finally been lifted slightly enough to get, some of them, out there again. It has been an incredibly frustrating period of inactivity for them.

Musicians, I guess, just want to be in a band and perform live. Just being able to play with some mates again. For some it is a full time job accepting any kind of work in order to pay the bills. I guess, at this time also, is when the realities of being a musician kick in and, suddenly, those initial dreams take a change of direction. There is always, however, a desire to really try and understand the tools for improvisation and composition, and the ongoing personal challenge for improvement as a musician. So do not be under any illusions, being a musician can be a tough life.

The current rules are far from ideal. And dedicated music venues have been given slightly different guidance to that of pubs, bars, social clubs and restaurants which now have the strict 10pm closure times. A band can carry on till 10:15pm/10:30pm then everyone has to leave. Last orders from the bar is around 9.30pm.

As such, in order to allow for support acts and to comply with the requirements, recent headliners Blues2Go had to cut down slightly on the number of songs played during a 2 set schedule. But that's not to say it impaired on the enjoyment level. Not in the slightest. This was a tremendous gig. It was as if the band had never been away. It all ran well and, as an added bonus, it completely sold out. It is certainly what the music loving public want and are more than prepared to tolerate.

Be warned though, buying advance tickets could be essential. As mentioned, it was a sold out event and several people were left disappointed at not being able to gain entry at the door. The audience was relatively small but well behaved and totally into what was happening.

The gig itself featured the quartet of vocalist Al Maynard, bass player Horace Panter, drummer Rick Medlock and lead guitarist Pete Gardner. Between them they re-energise the music of Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, BB King, Elmore James and many more. And it was certainly evident that they had missed their time away from the stage. That special feeling of magic that permeated through the crowd. It was clear that these guys were back doing what they love and, indeed, what motivates them.

Post gig comments certainly confirmed the joy of being back...........

'Doin'it for the first time in a long time last night in soggy Coventry. Big thanks to everyone who turned out. The good times definitely rolled!'

'Fantastic gig and absolutely fantastic to play live again'

'First indoor live gig I’ve been to in...er...I can’t remember how long'

'Social distancing or not, it was great to see these awesome guys doing their thing to the appreciative “sell out” crowd. Hopefully a longer set next time'.

Small steps I appreciate but lets hope it keeps going. Its what the musicians want and its what an audience requires and its what Coventry needs.