Rock day away

EVERY time I meet up with friends in the city we end up talking about "What York needs". As regulars on the York music scene, we consider ourselves qualified to pass comment. And having all spent time in Vancouver, we agree that it has something that York desperately needs: musical opportunities.

On any afternoon, a brief stroll around Vancouver disclosed a wealth of music being played and enjoyed in its coffee-house culture.

This is an area in which York has improved drastically over the last two years. The development of York's continental image has seen an increase in the number of coffee bars scattered across the city.

However, this presents a musical opportunity yet to be grasped.

Most of Vancouver's coffee houses host musicians who play because they love to play.

That is not to make the brash claim that York musicians do not love to play. More that our city's music scene appears largely to be governed by a covers-only mentality.

Having played both cities on numerous occasions, the differences are significant. Vancouver's gig-going public welcomes new music and give credit where it is truly due, to new artists promoting their own compositions.

In York, the night time bar culture is not conducive to the exposure of new music. Most drinkers aren't out to listen to new music; they are out to drink and, should they recognise a song being played, perhaps tap a foot or quietly applaud in the reserved York style.

This is why coffee houses must take notice of the musical opportunities available to them.

York's cafs should offer afternoon slots to performers. That would help recognise and promote the talent so readily on offer. And once the mindset which considers music to be an evening-only pursuit is challenged, it will open up the live scene to a wider audience.

Local musician Lon Banks, host of the Golden Lion's regular open-mic night on a Monday evening, is optimistic: "There are enough individual songwriters in York with a lot of good, original material.

"The Golden Lion's acoustic competition showcased about 36 artists.

"A lot of people can't organise their own gigs and just want a place to play a few of their own songs. There are lots of opportunities for daytime music."

Lon remembers past years when musical Sunday afternoons were spent between the Spread Eagle in Walmgate and Fibbers on Stonebow, with free entry to both venues and food put on. Again, he recognises the potential for a resurgence of such an afternoon's entertainment.

The last Sunday in March saw artists showcasing material at the Golden Lion in the build-up to the pub's acoustic competition final.

"It was a great day with a receptive crowd who came in and stayed," said Lon.

Of course the cost of staging live entertainment needs to be covered by the caf owners. In Vancouver, however, afternoon concerts were generally not well paid. The artists performed to promote themselves and their music to a receptive and genuinely interested audience.

They knew that building a fan-base is crucial to larger success.

For my friends, the attraction of afternoon gigs in York is in no way financially motivated. The appeal is in playing original material for an audience.

A long-standing contributor to the promotion of York's original music scene, Fibbers' manager Tim Hornsby, has previously ventured into the world of afternoon concerts.

"Last summer I did a series of gigs called Staying Out For The Summer as a really good chance for kids who had nothing to do throughout the summer, putting on local bands and some bigger names, charging about three quid which isn't bad for four hours of music," he said.

Unfortunately, despite considerable enthusiasm shown towards the initial concept, audience turnout was poor and the plug was regretfully pulled.

When quizzed about the possibility of more afternoon acoustic-based music at Fibbers, Tim was still keen and accommodating: "If anybody wanted to come down and play an acoustic guitar in the daytime, I wouldn't have a problem with that."

It is this willing attitude that continues to support and encourage York's new music.

The coffee-house culture is well known for developing many of America's new musical talents who tour endlessly from city to city playing these venues whilst simultaneously building their following. Although Britain has its fair share of singer-songwriters, greater success in the field seems to lie across the Atlantic.

Fostering new and fresh talent, the relaxed and informal setting of the coffee-house creates the perfect ambience to act as a platform for young acoustic performers.

American artists including the likes of John Mayer, Jason Mraz and Ari Hest all made their names through heavy schedules of touring "the shop circuit".

Although relative unknowns this side of the water, save for sporadic Radio 2 airplay, all three are enjoying considerable success in their home countries, whilst slowly siphoning through to Britain, having established strong careers even before meeting with record company interest.

It can only be speculated as to the effect that similar opportunities would create were the same musical chances on offer in Britain.

Having spoken in depth to a number of friends involved in the British acoustic scene, the general feeling is that the US offers greater acceptance and a greater number of prospects for acoustic-styled artists.

Such opportunities would be an invaluable addition to the British music scene. The realism of such changes coming into effect is another issue completely.

York's new continental leanings have laid the groundwork for further development of the music scene.

Whether, if and when these developments occur, is something for which we must stay tuned.

Ben Sutton is a musician and a student at York St John College.

Updated: 10:56 Wednesday, April 14, 2004