Rock star's live music venue opens tonight
A NEW live venue which is set to revitalise Wakefield's music scene after a famous rock drummer teamed up with Ossett Brewery opens today.
Mike Heaton, drummer with chart-topping indie band Embrace, has teamed up with the brewery to open The Hop, off Westgate, as a live music and comedy venue.
Work is due to finish to convert 19th century Vanguard House, on Bank Street, to house a real ale pub, restaurant and live stages for local talent and big name bands. It was launched with an invitation-only night last night, before opening to the public from 3pm today, when local band the Snap will play in the downstairs stage area from 9pm.
Mr Heaton said: “There are some good local bands and it will be great for them to have the chance to get out and play. Our focus is quality, if the bands are serious about what they do and put the work in they should go down well here.”
He said an upstairs 120-capacity live music venue would open next year, and was hoped to attract some top bands to the city.
Future plans for the venue include installing recording equipment and using part of the building to run music training courses for local youngsters.
The Hop’s first gig will take place on Saturday, when Wakefield singer-songwriter Rosie Doonan and London band The Tailors will perform from 9pm.
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Weather for Wakefield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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