The day the music that died revived!

Reporter: Andrew Rudkin
Date published: 21 June 2013


AS one music venue, The Castle, faced the bulldozer last week, business partners Mike Williamson (24) and Chris Satchell (26), were finalising plans to open a new Oldham music venue, formerly basement club The Lounge in Union Street.

The club - opposite the Chronicle offices - has been closed for 18 months and will reopen as Basement Live.

Chris, from Chadderton, said: “It’s all happened in a matter of weeks. This venue really suits our needs. We want to make it a nice place for people to come, a bit alternative, but not overly so. It will be mainly rock and indie, but we are completely open for other genres.”

Popular pop punkers Me Vs Hero — who have attracted almost 50,000 “likes” on their Facebook page — will headline the opening night on July 27.

Shaw resident Mike thinks it’s the perfect time to open the fully-licenced underground venue with the Metrolink’s impending arrival.

He added: “The tram will stop close by. Hopefully we can contribute to getting the town’s music scene thriving again. We will have big shows and we can pull in big bands.”

Tickets from: www.basementlive.bigcartel.com  



Bank Top Tavern in Kings Square Oldham officially reopens tonight as a live music venue, writess Lucy Kenferdine.

Manager Ian Gregory said: “We wanted to do something to stop the music scene in Oldham dying.”

The venue will remain a quiet pub during the day, and Ian and his team are hoping it will revitalise the area after being closed for several years.

“We want to create a safe and secure area where people can come to enjoy a drink and listen to fantastic music,” he said. “Too many music places, like the Castle, are closing down.”

The event at the Bank Top Tavern will start at 7pm with DJs and bands, including A Band of Gypsies, performing from 9.30pm until late.