Local bands need more local stages

The Blue Cheeks performing at The Flying Horse

Live music nights are becoming a thing of the past with only two being held regularly in Rochdale town centre.

The Flying Horse Hotel and The Koko Lounge are two places that regularly host live music or live entertainment nights.

Donna Fisher, manageress of the Koko Lounge said: “We have been doing this for about eight months now. We’ve done it before in the past but it didn’t work.”

The Koko Lounge holds a live entertainment night every Friday between 9pm and 12am. “We do it to try and bring people into Rochdale” added Donna.

The nightclub, located on Packer Street, Rochdale, offers a variety of music including tracks from the 70s and 80s.

Based in the centre of Rochdale, The Flying Horse Hotel holds live music events on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Jon Hudson, Bar Manager of the Flying Horse said: “These nights absolutely help business. The pub gets busy and we get to showcase local artists.”

The Flying Horse hosts jam nights on a Thursday and offers the stage to bands on a Friday and Saturday. Jon added: “People like to have something to watch rather than just standing around with a drink.”

Jon added: “As far as I am aware there is nowhere else in town that does these nights. The pub atmosphere draws people in.”

Friday night (9 August) saw The Blue Cheeks take to the stage at The Flying Horse for the first time. Jenny Driver, flute player for the band said: “I’ve been to gigs here before and the atmosphere is great.”

Local pubs and clubs are usually the best place for bands and artists to showcase their music. Jenny added: “There definitely needs to be more of these. There used to be loads but they just seem to have disappeared.”