talkingshop: Space for Music

Our first event took place on 13th February 2024.

talkingshop: Space for Music

An epic night of tunes and insightful conversation about the role of music in Arklow, past, present and potential future. Beginning with reflection on the past legacy of Music, tales of the showband era and legends of packed pubs hosting local bands playing original music. Conversation quickly turned to dismay at the loss of this once vibrant scene, to almost a point of non existence. Few pubs host live music, mainly covers, with note made of a monthly meetup (link to be added). The recurring points made were, the need for ‘free’ space for musicians to gather and share their artform. Space which is ‘free’ in the sense of not being a structured environment of learning or specific genre but a space to share music and talk and play together. Another specific point raised was the need for a theatre, this is understood, from looking at other towns to a vital part of giving a sense of aspiration and standing as a place for performance. However, whilst this is an ambition, perhaps is a long term objective, given the immediate need for space to perform and this could maybe be achieved in ‘baby steps’ with smaller venues. Another key point was the fractured communication among performers in Arklow and the wider Wicklow area and the establishment of an accessible network would be welcomed, both online and offline. There is an amazing energy among musicians in town, but concealed under the surface, without a voice it seems, which needs an outlet.

Below are images of the SWOT analysis:

Record of Feedback: Space for Music

WEAKNESSES
No theaters
No space
No venues
Lack of practice areas
No young musicians as a result of no venues to play in
No pubs/venues letting acts/bands play original music
Young people need a place to play
No information
No links to musicians
Need more life
No art center
Need artist in residence
Apathy
No resources for emerging musicians/bands to help develop careers
Need a venue
Places to preform
No resources for existing musicians to continue playing consistently( forced to give up and join “corporate world”)
Need champions
Need outdoor practice place
No “one”place for communicating gigs and new bands/releases
Drummers needed
Need one source for events
Discouragement
We don’t know what is here
Lack of imagination
No place to play for enjoyment
Decline of the pub scene
No reason why people give up
Need to inspire the youth to get off the screens
Need annual festivals
Facture in the town – Disconnect
Lack of pride in place
Need a theater – Arts centre
Need better communication need something to inspire too
Better connections

STRENGTHS
Lots of lovely people
Culture night
Space for music
Talented musicians everywhere
Theater groups
Panto shows/musicals every year
Music lessons/instrument
Singing lessons
Marching bands
Legacy of past times with live bands
Beautiful town/sea and river
Excellent traditional music heritage
Avoca comhaltas
Instrument rental from library for free
Music generation
Roisin Murphy
The local bandstand
Connect ideas
Music is a universal language
Songwriters have songs here
Arklow times offers support
Could be an underground scene
Tonight as positive step

OPPORTUNITIES
Lessons for youth
Battle of bands
Ask for money in new growth
Space for young bands (ormonde theater)
Music rehearsal space
Microfunding for promising young bands(instruments/recording/monitoring)
Support for experienced musicians to play and mentor others/financial/
spaces/access to instruments/gig nights)

Support for wider variety of genres of music and original songs
Arklow rocks club organizing as a venue once a month
Song writing
Sea breeze/local musician placements
Bridgewater open options -musical space
Online opportunity – produced music
Choirs
Better advertising of gigs and communicating importance of attending 9 to support community)
Somewhere to drop into and join in informally- open session in pub?
Saturday afternoons(once a month) 4-8 royal hotel- all young bands -cover charge for security- check for alcohol/drugs on entry parental confidence
We need an “alternative”pub- arklow fibbers
Parental support