Preston bands at 53 Degrees
Russ Carlton looks at local music at 53.
PIECE WRITTEN BY RUSS CARLTON (WHERE’S MAVIS)
When the casual observer thinks about live music at 53 Degrees it will be names such Ian Brown, The Streets, Dizzee Rascal, and The Coral that first spring to mind, but there’s an awful lot more going on than that.
Alongside many stand-alone gigs, 53 Degrees took the early decision to use their hugely successful DIY Club, a part of weekly flagship event Promo, to give opportunities for up-and-coming bands to play to capacity student crowds. In recent years acts including Hard Fi, The Hoosiers, Jamie T, The Sunshine Underground, Jack Penate, and The View have all played at DIY before hitting the big time and in March hotly tipped Little Boots will be following in their baby steps.
53 Degrees have never neglected to look on their own doorstep for up-and-coming talent. A good number of Preston’s own bands have enjoyed playing to the crowds at DIY since its inception, often as supports to the touring acts, with some earning themselves headlining billing as they’ve built names for themselves on a more national level. Always a favourite place to play, with top drawer facilities and technical staff, the gigs at DIY, as well as other support slots and special unsigned events, have been a great boost to acts who otherwise might not get such opportunities to play to the large student crowds. The bands that have demanded these bookings have found it invaluable to pick up fans from a new audience to add to their already loyal followings earnt in Preston’s other excellent venues such as The Mad Ferret and Coda.
This February 53 Degrees have turned their attentions entirely to local acts and each Thursday will see a different Preston up-and-comer show what they can do as they take the coveted headline slot at DIY. The Carletons (5th), Chaotix (12th), Jelly’s Last Jam (19th), and Bikini Black Special (26th) will be the ones to watch. Details of how to get hold of tickets below.
Outside DIY another local act The Underdogs will support The Twang when they play in the club on 10th of Feb. Details of a new event dedicated to local acts of heavier styles is also to be announced shortly as 53 Degrees aim to further their support of local talent and build on their live music offerings to students and the wider community.
There’s a great deal of talent in our little city, and it’s great to see support like this from the student union, hand-in-hand with some very hard working local venues and promoters. If you haven’t taken the time to investigate yet then this February could be a great starting point.
