Features section

Promoters of music in Leicester

Promoters are people who organise live music events or who promote bands and artists.

Promoters are the people who hire venues and bands or artists to provide the pubic with live music.

Other promoters are more like publicists or pluggers who support artists by getting their name known.

Promoter Profile

10th August 2010

Artsin talks to Sarah Bee, RigBee Promotions

Artsin: I am talking to Sarah Bee of RigBee Promotions. Tell me about your background,Sarah. You came to Leicester recently having had a music career elsewhere.

Sarah: Hello Trevor, yes that is right. I have been in Leicester for about a year and a half. I have previously lived and worked in music in both Aberdeen and London. I started out in Aberdeen nearly 6 years ago. I was given a massive opportunity by Aberdeen's best Live Music Promoter (Hen) ... He took me under his wing and basically showed me everything that his job entailed. Then said "ok then, here is a date - get some bands in and see how it goes."

I was quite lucky in the fact that I knew quite a few of the local bands so my first gig was filled with friends which was nice. It went from there really, with Hen renaming me Shadow .and the story continues through London and then to Leicester.

Artsin: So here you are in Leicester. What do you think of the place so far?

Sarah: Do you know what, I was just saying last night how much I enjoyed it here and that I have met some of the nicest people I have ever me, .who will remain in my life forever. There are also some of the best unsigned bands I have ever had the pleasure to come across, which, if you know me, then you know this is what makes me happy.

Artsin: If you had to underscore just one Leicester band that has really amazed you, which one would it be?

Sarah: Well there are so many Leicester bands that I could mention here, but if it has to be just one then it would have to be The Heroes. The first time I saw them play live, I was more than amazed, I got the same feeling from them as I did The Libertines! Having spoke to them about what they are doing and where they want to go, I found that they all have their heads screwed on when it comes to the band. They know it will be a lot of hard work but they are going to put everything they have in to it and I truly believe that they will make something of themselves.

Artsin: Leicester seems to be on the verge of a musical renaissance. What do you think of all the new venues opening up?

Sarah: I think it can only be a good thing ... all these new venues opening up. However the owners will have to be careful, as so many are opening up at the same time. They will have to be doing something special to stay open through the years.

Artsin: Do you think they will be full of people eager to hear live bands?

Sarah: It would be lovely if they were, but I do not think that will be the case. Not to start with anyway. Leicester is such a diverse city and all these Venues need to be thinking about ways to catch the attention of everyone who lives here.

Artsin: If a local unsigned band wants to make it in the music business, what advice would you give them?

Sarah: First of all, it takes a lot of hard work to make it anywhere in the music business. They need to be aware of this right from the start. They will need good recordings of their music ... without this no one will listen to them, and then they need to start gigging round the country to build up there fan base. This is something that all record label types look at ... I could actually talk about this all day. There is so much a band needs to do to make it. As long as they are prepared to put in the work, then that is a very good place to start.

Artsin: What's the hardest part of promoting live shows?

Sarah: I think it would have to be making the public aware of the shows. This is definitely the hard part. I use the media ... Leicester Mercury, Radio and Social Network sites to promote as well as putting up posters around town but there is still the people out there that I can't reach, which is a shame.

Artsin: Is there anything enjoyable about putting on gigs?

Sarah: I enjoy every part of putting on gigs. Everything from finding the bands right down to watching them play live. There is nothing better than standing at one of your own gigs and watching the crowd loving the band you have put on. It is the best feeling in the world.

Artsin: Have you got involved in any genres, other than rock music? Is there something like a hip-hop scene in Leicester?

Sarah: I personally don't know about a hip-hop scene here Trevor, but if there isn't then there should be. Maybe this is something I should look into!

Artsin: If all the promoters in Leicester were to work together, would that be a good thing? Do you think that could happen?

Sarah: I think it would be the best thing that could happen to the music scene here. Instead of everyone fighting against each other, to book the best bands and pull the biggest crowds, if we all worked together we could create something really special. I would love more than anything for Leicester's live music scene to be talked about not only here, but all over the country like some other city's that aren't that too far away are! It can be done, it will take time but I am sure it will happen.

Artsin: Do you think more could be done to encourage bands, especially the newbies, to 'learn the ropes' when it comes to doing their job as a band?

Sarah: I think bands just sometimes need to listen more to the people around them, which could include people from more experienced bands, venue owner', promoters and sound engineers.

There is so much a band can do to help themselves work their way to the top, they just need to know where to begin and if needs be, ask for a little advice! There are plenty of people out there that are willing to offer their experience to bands, to give a little advice. There is no shame in asking for it.

Artsin: Sarah, it's been great talking to you. Is there anything else you want to say to our readers about live music in Leicester?

Sarah: Well I really do feel it would be great if we could get more people out on a regular basis to see all the great musicians we have right here on our door step. Maybe if we all pull together we can make this happen! Who knows what the future holds for the Leicester but I have a feeling it is going to continue growing and be something very special.

It has been great talking to you too Trevor. It is people like you that really help the Leicester Music Scene keep on moving. I would just really like to say a huge thank you to all of our local musicians. Without them my life would be very dull and I would keep an eye closely fixed on a certain few of these in the next year, as I can see great things happening in the not too distant future.

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