The Picket music venue
The Picket thing took the shine off the evening though. It's incredibly sad to see such a worthy institution (a community music venue that's been in operation for 20 years)...
The Picket thing took the shine off the evening though. It's incredibly sad
to see such a worthy institution (a community music venue that's been in
operation for 20 years) dragged down by mealy-mouthed politicians,
treacherous "comrades", and the seemingly inexorable effects of the Capital
of Culture win.
The Picket - the first venue in Liverpool that I ever visited.
The Picket was owned by the Merseyside Trades Union and Unemployed Resource
Centre, and run as a non-profit making subsidiary. Originally founded by the
now-defunct Merseyside County Council, its funding was under threat from the
moment control of Liverpool City Council passed from Labour to Liberal
Democrats. Year-on-year funding cuts along with trade-union mismanagement
mean that the parent organisation is in debt, and is planning to sell-up and
ride the massive property-price increases seen in Liverpool since June 2003.
The MTUURC has provisionally accepted a bid for their building that will see
The Picket shut, whereas a bid on the table for £100K less could ensure the
future of The Picket on the current premises, with a new landlord taking on
The Picket as a going concern. This bid was rejected in favour of a proposal
to build "luxury flats" on the site. "Luxury" - a word now so overused as to
be utterly meaningless (it's impossible to buy a flat in Liverpool that
isn't "a luxury flat"). So in this wonderfully regenerated city, brimful of
possibilities, in the 24-hour economy, the world capital of pop, there's an
unemployed sound engineer and venue manager, and bar staff looking for work
elsewhere.
It looks like the Picket will be killed off by the figurehead organisation
of the Liverpool trades union movement for a lousy 100 grand. The
Entertainments License run out at midnight on Friday night, and will not be
renewed. The leader of the Liverpool City Council has offered to help find
new premises, but he must take some personal responsibility, as the funding
cuts implemented by his council led to the crisis in the first place.
It also seems bizarre that the Capital of Culture win has unleashed a wave
of property speculation that will see property prices double in the space of
a year. Five years ago the trade union centre would have had to stay put and
fight its ground, and The Picket might have survived. Who would want to buy
an old School building on Hardman Street in 1999? You could buy 3-storey
education complexes with a car park (e.g. 70 Hope Street) for £40k back
then, and still have change to sort out the electrics. Now the lure of the
property developers' money is too much, and it's become profitable to knock
such places down and throw up dull red-brick and breeze block "luxury
flats", sold for £200k per flat. The Capital of Culture win has unleashed
financial forces that are ensuring that institutions such as The Picket
(which were instrumental in obtaining the win in the first place) are
shutting down. It seems like a cliché, but there really are trainloads of
property speculators arriving at Lime Street and heading for the Adelphi
Hotel, where chunks of the private housing stock are being sold off by
auction.
At Friday's gig, Pete Wylie sung his hit "Come Back", and spoke of writing
it as a result of a mid-1980s' survey that suggested that 60% of
Liverpudlians wanted to leave Liverpool due to its then apparent decline.
"They've all come back now though, as property speculators, estate agents,
and they all live in luxury flats". Half the venue is welling up, but Wylie
is in full flow. For one night only, Wylie is in a band called "The Luxury
Flats" with members of The Bandits and Shack. He performs the best set I've
ever seen him play ("Better Scream", "Come Back", "Seven Minutes to
Midnight", and "Sinful",). The audience won't let him leave the stage so he
does requests - 'Story of the Blues" and a cover of Johnny Thunders' "You
Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory".
We can't quite believe it's all over for this venue. Let's hope The Picket
comes back. The Picket was truly unique in this country. A privately owned
pop music venue not run for profit, but run for the love of music. Does
anyone know of such a venue elsewhere? It's significance to Liverpool was
immense, not merely in the sense of being a formative milestone in the
careers of The Farm, The Las, Space, Shack, Wah, Cast, The Real People, The
Bandits, The Coral etc., but also in terms of the hundreds of local dreamers
provided with a stage, a sound system, a sound engineer, a roof, a bar and a
night all of their own. Immense for its under-18 club and gig nights.
Immense for the fact that it provided a 'back line' so local bands didn't
have to hire a van, and could travel to the venue on the bus with their
guitars. Immense for its role in Liverpool's musical and cultural
regeneration. Immense for the milestones it set in the ground of Liverpool's
music scene:
1983
The Merseyside Unemployed Resource Centre is officially opened, to provide
a range of services and facilities, for the employed and unemployed.
Volunteers at the Centre plan to establish a recording studio and music
venue, as part of the resources for young unemployed people, bands and
community groups.
The opening of the Unemployed Centre featuring: THE STYLE COUNCIL, (their
first ever performance), ALAN BLEASDALE, THE FARM, The High Five, Everyman
Youth Theatre and characters from 'BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF'.
Benefit concert @ the Liverpool Empire Theatre for the Unemployed Centre's
recording studio featuring; ALEXEI SAYLE, BLACK, THE HIGSONS, (featuring
Charlie Higson of Fast Show Fame), Ex-Post Facto and Mr. Amir.
1984
THE LA'S record their first 'demo' at the Unemployed Centre's recording
studio. The band go onto sign to Go Discs and release the classic single
'There She Goes'.
1985
The HOUSEMARTINS visit The Picket.
1986
PETE TOWNSHEND, (The Who), officially opens the Unemployed Centre's
recording studio.
1987
Group volunteers at the Unemployed Centre organise a series of six gigs.
Including performances by The La's, The Farm with support from HAPPY
MONDAYS and Levi Tafari's Ministry of Love.
THE LA'S perform sell out concerts on a regular basis @ The Picket.
1988
The SPINNERS play one of their final gigs @ The Picket courtyard.
1989
The Picket's Venue Manager organises 11 benefit concerts for the
HILLSBOROUGH DISASTER APPEAL @ The Picket, Liverpool John Moores
University, Liverpool University and the Royal Court Theatre, entitled "BIG
BEAT '89". The fundraising concerts feature: JULIAN LENNON, ICICLE WORKS,
IAN GILLIAN from Deep Purple, JULIAN COPE, BLACK, THOMAS LANG, JEREMY
HARDY, FRANK SIDEBOTTOM, FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION, PAT NEVIN, Rain, Real
People, Mark Miwurdz, Jeggsy Dodd, Ministry of Love, The Preachers, The
Paragonz, The Farm, River City People, The Tambourines and The Vernons.
1990
LIVERPOOL NOW" pilot event takes place @ The Picket, 9 unsigned bands
appear. NME, Melody Maker and Sounds produce glowing reviews of the gigs
and pay tribute to the concept.
DUDU PUKWANA Anti-apartheid campaigner, exile and respected jazz musician
plays @ The Picket with his band Zila, including Pinise Saul, Lucky Ranku &
Mervyn Afrika. This was one of the last gigs he played before his untimely
death.
1991
MARTIN CARTHY plays a sell-out gig @ The Picket. (Martin has since been
awarded an MBE for his contribution to English folk music).
1992
SHACK perform @ The Picket.
1993
SPACE perform @ The Picket.
MZWAKHE MBULI, 'The Peoples Poet of South Africa' performs at The Picket.
REAL PEOPLE/SENSE OF SOUND perform @ The Picket.
1994
The Picket receives the award 'BEST SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS 1993' @ Liverpool
Echo and Daily Post Arts Awards, Adelphi Hotel Liverpool.
Dean Sullivan, (aka Jimmy Corkhill from Brookside) and Liverpool City
Council's Chief Executive make the presentation. The Venue and its staff
are rewarded for their "long term contribution to local music and support of
local talent".
Inaugural 'LIVERPOOL NOW FESTIVAL' @ The Lomax, The Picket & Bourbon Street
venues, featuring: Cast, Space, Wah, Sense of Sound, Jah Deeanko, Bullyrag
and Small.
BAABA MAAL, Senegalese Superstar, performs @ The Picket.
1995
The Picket receives £500,000.00 from ERDF, the National Lottery, Foundation
for Sports and Arts and Liverpool City Challenge to refurbish its
facilities. Capacity is increased; a 7k PA system, 25k lighting rig and
disabled access/toilets are installed.
1997
The Picket, following a major refurbishment, is re-launched. Performances
from: Zila, Sense of Sound, Billy Bragg, Proper and The Royal Philharmonic
String Quartet. THE LORD MAYOR OF LIVERPOOL, CLLR FRANK DORAN, attends
proceedings.
The 3rd 'Liverpool Now Festival' supported by NorthWest Arts Board and the
City's Arts and Culture Unit. NOEL GALLAGHER visits The Picket to 'check
out' friend Digsy's band Smaller.
THOMAS MAPFUMO, 'The Lion of Zimbabwe', performs at The Picket."The
majestic dreadlocked exponent of electric mbira music".
The 4th 'Liverpool Now Festival' Venues: The Picket, Lomax, Zanzibar, Royal
Court, HeebeeJeebees and K2. Featuring: Cast, AM, C Zero, Ooberman,
Amsterdam, The Isrites, Zeb.
BBC's The O-Zone visit the venue record a special feature about Cast @ The
Picket. The programme traces the bands origins and inspirations.
1998
TRAVIS perform @ The Picket, in a special gig to launch Crash FM, a local
independent radio station.
DICK GAUGHAN, Legendary Scottish folksinger, performs @ The Picket.
THE REAL THING perform @ The Picket. The band appears in a benefit show for
Howard Gayle's Stanley House Youth Football Team.
1999
The Picket presents an event to celebrate the life and work of PAUL ROBESON
'Black civil rights activist and singer'.
' KOSOVO BENEFIT GIG' featuring; CHINA CRISIS, SPACE and PETE WYLIE. The
event raises vital funds to assist the work of the British Red Cross
Society in Kosovo.
' IN THE CITY' the world renowned 'Music Convention' comes to Liverpool
with gigs @ The Picket and many other Liverpool venues. The events attracts
the British Music Industry and representatives of Record companies
World-wide.
The 6th 'Liverpool Now Festival' supported by PRS, Musician's Union and
BPI. The event operates in conjunction with BBC RADIO ONE'S "SOUND CITY
FESTIVAL".
JOHN PEEL presents Liverpool band Ooberman @ The Picket for BBC Radio One.
The gig was broadcast as part of Liverpool Now/Radio One Sound City
Festival.
2000
The Pickets recording studio is renamed 'PINBALL WIZARD' in recognition of
PETE TOWNSHEND'S tremendous support for the Studio and Music Venue.
2001
The Picket installs a 'top' quality in-house backline
'NEIL FINN' (ex- Crowded House) appears at the Picket with a 'Band of
Strangers.' Neil performed a unique concert accompanied by a group of
unknown musicians from Liverpool.
'ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING' tour visits the Picket. The campaign to improve
facilities for disabled artistes and audiences visits the venue to present
a performance by disabled bands.
THE CORAL and THE MUSIC 'two of the country's hottest' unsigned bands
appear at the Picket in front of a sell out audience.
8th Liverpool Now festival
Two pilot 'DRY BAR' gigs take place at the Picket to 'test' the idea of
presenting regular events featuring under 18 bands, DJ's, Rappers and MC's
for an audience of young people.
The 'Dry bar' is part of a larger project the 'MZONE' funded by the
National Foundation for Youth Music, Arts Council of England and Liverpool
City Council.
2002
THE LIVERPOOL AND MERSEYSIDE MUSIC ACTION ZONE is established, (the MZONE).
The Picket is a partner in the organisation alongside Merseyside Music
Development Agency, the Philharmonic and Sense of Sound vocal agency. The
main aim is to improve the provision of music for under 18's across
Merseyside.
THE DRY BAR under-18 gigs are formally launched; the events are planned to
take place on the last Tuesday of every month.
EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE judges visit Liverpool to assess Liverpool's
bid. The Picket's Venue manager is invited to be a witness and 'testify'
before the Judging panel to support the bid.
BBC2's 'Blast' programme features the 'Dry Bar' as part of a nationwide
report on young peoples cultural activities.
LIVERPOOL; WONDROUS PLACE' book launch takes place at the Picket. The
book's author Paul Du Noyer, is joined by Andy McCluskey OMD, Pete Wylie,
John Power from CAST, Jamie from Space, Ian McNabb, Frank from Flock of
Seagulls, Garry from The Christians,
2003
LIVERPOOL NOW; High and Dry Festival 2003 for under 18's takes place at the
Picket, LIPA and the Magnet. Five days of concerts, seminars and music
workshops.
EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE judges visit Liverpool again to meet the City's
Arts Community. The judges mingle on board the Royal Daffodil to experience
a 'Ferry across the Mersey'.
The Picket's Venue manager attends and presents Sir Jeremy Isaacs, the
chair of the judging panel, with two CDs he has compiled that contain over
40 Liverpool musicians and bands.
HMV showcases begin at the Picket. A joint venture between the venue and
HMV Liverpool, which offers local bands promotional opportunities and live
performances.
'The Picket's DRY BAR Festival takes place at Rice Lane, Walton, North
Liverpool. The event showcased under 18 bands, Rappers, DJ's and dancers,
promoting the next generation of talent from Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL IRISH FESTIVAL The first major festival of Irish music and arts
to take place in Liverpool. The event will centre on the Picket and bring
together Irish contemporary and traditional musicians from Liverpool and
Ireland. Also participating are Tom Paulin, poet and BBC 2 Late Review
panellist, and Whitbread prize- winner Bernard O'Donoghue.
Benefit Night to celebrate the release of Mzwakhe Mbuli (Imprisoned South
African Poet/Musician).
2004
The 2nd LIVERPOOL NOW; High and Dry Festival, for under 18's to takes place
at the Picket, LIPA and other venues. Five days of concerts, seminars and
music workshops.
Friday 30th April - One More Gig
The Picket
24 Hardman Street
Liverpool
L1 9AX
"COME BACK" - Pete Wylie
Down by the docks the talking turned:
"As some are striving to survive,
the others thrive"
(Reaching the realm of no return)
"I don't want charity, just half a chance
and it's all up to you, yes it's all up to you"
Come Back! I'm willing to try
Come Back! Don't let time go by
Come Back! The will to survive's
Come Back
Come Back! With time on my hands
Come Back! I'm making a stand
Come Back! To kill or to cure
Come Back! To god-given belief
Well did you ever hear of hope?
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
A small belief can mean
you'll never walk alone
And did you ever hear of faith?
Encouragement! Development!
And it's all to you!
Yes, it's all to you!
[chorus]
Come Back! With time on my hands
Come Back! I'm making a stand
Come Back! To kill or to cure
Come Back
Come Back! I'm willing to try
Come Back! Don't let time go by
Come Back! The will to survive's
Come Back! I'm begging you please
Come Back! Now I'm making my stand
Come Back! with time on my hands
Come Back! Time to kill or to cure"
