Riverside/Stars in their Minds
Posted by Josh
Friday, May 27, 2005
What's the general feeling out there in Hebland about the new incarnation of Riverside? Instead of a festival - what with all the bother in 03 - there's this 'Stars in their Minds' malarkey going on, with the grand finals in July at the Trades, coinciding with the final weekend of the Arts Festival (and the 'unpluggedish bands' final at Kebs the following weekend.
I have an interest to declare here - I'm taking part in the singer/songwriter part of the competition, and will be at the Stubbing Wharf this coming Saturday jostling for a slot on the Trades Club stage.
I think that SITM has been especially good for the young bands - the calder valley youth should be congratulated and supported for their talent and commitment. But the press coverage has been utterly non-existent. I hope this changes as the contest reaches its fevered final stages.
I worry that the sheer number of gigs involved in SITM has bad knock-on consequences. Non-competitive musicians are in danger of being crowded out, as the audience for gigs in Heb is finite. The music scene in Hebden is great (I know, I would say that, but it really is!), but it needs cherishing, and there's a danger in overexposure. What we don't need is a chronic case of gig-fatigue and disillusionment setting in.