Lets start from the top,
The city
Stoke-on-Trent, centre of the once huge, now dying English pottery industry is both famous, (and infamous) for many reasons. I’ve lived here from the age of 5, and like a lot of young people have expressed my hatred for my home-town many, many times in the past. However, since I left my teenage years behind, I’ve become to realise things about this town that I was previously too young/ignorant to fully appreciate. The most prominent being that unlike a lot of cities this size, Stoke actually has a passionate and vibrant music scene.
The edges of the cultural quarter, containing the Sugarmill, The Underground and the Cities Theatres
Of course, if you have grown up here too, then there is very little chance that you haven’t been to at least one of the main music venues in Stoke. The Sugarmill, The Underground, or concerts at the New Vic theatre, to name a few. However, If you really dig below the surface, experience a different venue from the mainstream, then you will discover that Stoke-on-Trent’s underground music scene is far more diverse and passionate then what the media makes it out to be.
Something I love about the era we live in, is just how many genres of music we can experience. Think about it, in past decades, there has been prejudice against certain genres of music. We live in a time where people are free to enjoy and express themselves with any genre they choose, and the amazing invention that is the internet has only enriched this. Youtube, Spotify, LastFM, Soundcloud, these are the tools music fans use to experience music, and they have changed the music industry forever.
I remember in my ignorant youth, feeling slightly annoyed at people who said that they liked “anything” when it came to music. At the time I felt that this was somewhat of an apathetic attitude, but now, when asked about my tastes in music, I find myself responding with the very same answer. Full circle. From Post-Punk to Dub, Country to Trip-hop and everything in between…This is what my blog is devoted to.
Ollie.
