It's interesting that since a highly publicised visit by Paul Weller to the Lightbox in Woking's exhibition a debate has been sparked by his comments on a lack of live music venues in the town. Many argue that apart from the Ypod and pubs like O'Neill's that hosts covers there is no up and coming music, where Guildford is well served. I've approached the Council over the last few years for a festival in the park and they have embraced the idea bringing it in under their Cultural Olympiad banner for 2012, and I've also started to run the Lovely Music Night at The Crown in Horsell on the third Tuesday of every month, we have very popular original musicians from all over the South East in a very relaxed fun, friendly atmosphere. Also trying to work with other people to put on more original, entertaining live music around Woking but whilst people are right in saying that Guildford is well served are they prepared to give the amount of support to free, original live music that the people of Guildford do to theirs? Many promoters and musicians have tried to kick start the live music scene here and haven't had the support. Are people prepared to widen their view of Woking's music scene beyond seeing it represented purely by Chertsey Road on a Friday and Saturday night? Most live music nights are pleasant and relaxed, for example the Palette restaurant at The Lightbox does regular events on a Friday, Bed Bar often showcases original music of many genres. So, is it that we don't have live music or that we don't have an adequate support network or advertising?

Maybe it is a case of having a place where all the live music events can be found. I know from the Knaphillian postings on Twitter that there is regular music at The Anchor and the Working Mens Club in Knaphill. I also know of jazz nights at The Cricketers in Horsell and events at Sands at the Bleak House. Could be there is more around than we realise.

I spoke to William Burns who ran Remix bar in Woking which had to close down, this is what he had to say

'I originally bought 14 the broadway otherwise known as Remix as a venue for local musicians & live bands to perform at. Before this I had been running a recording studio in Woking for 3 years.
I started a weekly music night called Going Undergound named after the Jam/Weller connection, this took place every Thursday and showcased bands from across the country & locally.
We sometimes held under 18's band nights featuring students from the ACM in Guildford.
I was very much set on giving the local community somewhere to go & listen to live music & talent as the town often lacked soul.
Unfortunately a bed & breakfast was built above the bar which eventually forced us to stop having live music & then the environmental health & Woking Borough Council took us to court. I ended up having to pay out £15,000 to Woking BC & sadly had to close in April this year.
A yearly annual music festival would be fantastic for the community & will be a great platform for young musicians & bands to perform at. I just hope the residents do not complain about the noise.'

The point he seems to be making is that the Council approved a change of use for one business which forced another to close that was providing much needed live music in the town.