FOLLOWING an urgent plea by a Llandrindod Wells band for more practice space, several businesses have stepped forward offering their assistance to musicians in the town.
Despite concerns that the town was ‘not interested’ in its musicians, businesses have really stepped up to the mark, according to one local music promoter.
Kev Martin, formerly of the Mid Wales Music Scene and now actively involved promoting bands throughout Radnorshire, has said the town has been labelled unfairly until now.
“Personally I’m somewhat surprised to have read articles seemingly vilifying Llandrindod as whole,” said Kev.
“I feel that Llandrindod as a whole is being labelled, when there are many of us doing so much to help local bands, many of whom haven’t even been approached on this issue.
“I haven’t actively been seeking a solution to band practice space issues as no bands have approached me, but merely through my day-to-day dealings with folk within Llandrindod, and them knowing my love of music and promotional background, I’ve had three different venues approach me offering the use of their space to local bands as a practice venue.
“Articles in other newspapers paint the town in a terrible light, when the article is merely referring to one practice space they formerly used, and it does state that no other venues have come forward, which is factually inaccurate.”
So far four venues have stepped forward, namely the rugby club, the Hampton Hotel who are offering free use of their space providing guests are not staying, the Rock Park Committee and Ashfield Community Enterprise in Howey.
“I’m confident if I had taken time to dig deeper I could have found a list of half a dozen places willing to help, not to mention a list of tens of people whom, since your initial article, have begun to join forces to ensure things happen,” said Kev.
There are people in Llandrindod willing to help bands who are somewhat uneased by what appears to be a slur on Llandrindod, he added.
“One local band member quoted to me on Friday that ‘the best practice they have, is gigs locally’ and there are venues, promoters and gigs galore in Llandrindod.
“Moreover we had in excess of 200 paying punters at our show, on a wet friday night in late February!
"I really don't want Llandrindod's growing music ethos being tarnished when there are so many working so hard to help create it,” he stressed.
“It is upsetting to a local community of people who work hard to help local bands.”