Richard HolmesA new initiative is set to help emerging metal, hardcore, metalcore and punk promoters take their first steps.
Created by Newcastle-based promoters Byker Grave Bookings, Conviction Records and Venom Events, What Happens Next will provide support in booking, marketing, logistics, administration and event management for smaller-scale shows.
It will also provide financial jump-start for promoters looking to bring bands to the North East, and showcase local talent.
Byker Grave Bookings, which has been promoting shows in the UK for since 2013, has brought the likes of Rosalie Cunningham, Undeath, Eyehategod, Green Lung and Conan to Tyneside in recent years.
Last December, its Byker Grave Festival, which took place at Newcastle University, saw Venom Inc. play their first ‘hometown’ show, as part of an eight-band bill.
Conviction Records is a label and promoter, which champions North East England’s hardcore scene and has brought international punk and HC acts to Tyneside, including US veterans Negative Approach, Tokyo hardcore punks Blow Your Brains Out and Boston outfit Haywire.
Last year, Conviction Records started a partnership with Byker Grave Bookings to co-promote hardcore and death metal shows.
Venom Events has hosted shows for the likes of Dwelled and Misery Channel, and runs the Gore Burlesque events in Newcastle. Its Camp Venom event in June at Anarchy Brewery – featuring live music, burlesque, fire performers and an alt-market – was a sell-out, and it recently launched SLVT, a women and LGBTQIA+ focused alternative club night at Newcastle’s Zerox.
What Happens Next will draw on the team experience of running gigs in Newcastle and across Europe, to help promoters overcome the initial challenges of promoting shows – and avoid the many pitfalls associated with the industry.
Stu Bartlett, co-founder of Byker Grave Bookings, said: “We have all come up through the North East’s metal, hardcore and punk scenes, and this is our way of giving something back to those communities – and helping the next generation of promoters to come through.
“Post-Covid, we’ve seen a real surge in interest in heavier and more alternative music – which is reflected in healthy show attendances – and in Newcastle particularly, there is a wealth of small, independent venues, such as The Lubber Fiend, The Grove and The Cluny, who are supporting live music. Compared to many other cities, we are very lucky in that respect.
“However, logistical and financial challenges are very much still there for promoters, and from personal experience, we know how difficult it is to get shows off the ground. If you fall at the first hurdle, it can be very daunting to pick it back up.
“It’s therefore vital that emerging DIY promoters have support in putting on shows and keeping that underground flame burning bright, especially as genres like black metal, trad metal, hardcore and punk are barely on the radar of the region’s established arts organisations – despite North East England’s huge contribution to these genres.
“Through What Happens Next, we’re looking forward to working with up-and-coming promoters, and people who want to give promoting a shot for the very first time!”
Thorn Faustus, founder of Venom Events added “As an independent local promoter who has only been running my own shows for around two years, I have experienced firsthand the struggles of being a DIY promoter. It’s vital to nurture other promoters so that we can continue to bring forward consistent shows which will support the local scene and small venues.
“Helping out with Byker Grave Bookings and Conviction Records has been essential to my growth as a promoter, it’s been very refreshing. I absolutely love being involved in the alternative music scene and helping other promoters where I can: the community within the scene is amazing.
“What Happens Next is a fantastic initiative which will continue to grow the scene and provide funding, support and resources to those with an interest and passion for creating shows.”
Chris Lingwood is among the first promoters to have benefited from the initiative, and he recently helped out when Byker Grave and Conviction Records brought veteran LA hardcore act Terror to Newcastle’s Digital.
Chris said: “When I found out about What Happens Next, I thought it was a great chance to get involved and help bring some of the bands I love to the region.
“This is a totally new thing for me. It’s always been something I wanted to do, but I haven’t had the knowledge or funds to make it happen in the past. That’s the beauty of this project: What Happens Next takes away those initial barriers and gives passionate people a chance to explore this world and see if it’s for them, without the colossal risks associated with doing it on their own.
“That can only be good for the scene both in the short and long term and I’ve got to say a massive thanks to them for making it happen.”
Chris added: “The Byker Grave team have been very willing to share knowledge both on the scene and how they go from an idea to a full show. This includes the obvious stuff, like finances, marketing and booking bands and venues, but also a lot of the stuff that you wouldn’t think of if you hadn’t already had the experience, like how many towels a legendary hardcore band would need on their rider!
“They’ve not really shied away from anything I’ve asked them and have been really generous with their time.”
For more information on What Happens Next, contact @whathappensnextncl on Insta and whathappensnextncl@gmail.com.
Photo of Byker Grave, Conviction Records and Venom Events promoters (top) by Sam Wingrove.