Live music has always been part of my life. My first gig was aged 14 - Marillion, Sheffield City Hall, 28 January 1986 - and I’ve been lucky enough to see countless amazing bands and artists since.
From Glastonbury to Glastonbudget (yes, really… Google it!), from stadiums holding tens of thousands to pub rooms with 10 people - for me, it’s the same thrill seeing talented people singing and playing.
Thanks to Torque Agency Group’s policy of supporting employee volunteering, I work a few hours every month at the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts, a grassroots music venue near my home in Suffolk.
Last week was Independent Venue Week, the annual celebration of the UK’s smaller music and arts venues and the people who own, run and work in them.
I did a couple of shifts, pulling pints for those who came to enjoy Canadian rockers The Damn Truth, Jess Silk, a singer-songwriter from the West Midlands, plus local talents Fighting Steaks and Retro Firefly.
Those of you who travel frequently but unpredictably will know the difficulty in trying to commit to being somewhere regularly. Historically, I decided it was better not to try, rather than make plans then be forced to bin them and annoy people.
Now working for Torque and predominantly from home, life has given me the chance to give time back to an activity which has brought me, my family and my friends so much pleasure over the decades.
Please support your local music venues - they will close down otherwise - and please consider how you and your business could give back through volunteering programmes like Torque’s.
