Just writing a quick blog about The Doghouse's new spiritual home on Ward Road because i actually think it's gonna be BETTER than the old venue on Brown Street! A bold statement i know and i must also add that my view may come from the fact that i'm in a band and that i don't smoke but i'm gonna list some reasons as to why i think the new venue is gonna be better.
I'v heard a lot of people mention how big a loss the gardens are to the Doghouse especially in the summer or for the smokers ,however, there are many positives in NOT having the gardens. Since the smoking ban i'm sure all bands/performers noticed that while they were playing the old venue, it was often the case that, during some part of their set at least there were just as many people outside as were inside. People would go out for a smoke and get caught up in chat, meaning that from a bands point of view less people were watchin/listening/involved in the atmosphere. Also people getting caught up in chat etc outside would miss big parts o sets that they were truly enjoying. I'v done it many times myself and am sure loads more people have and then regretted later that they missed what they really went there for in the first place. The new venue doesn't allow this as there's no room to get too comfortable and people will be more likely to nip out for a couple of minutes before joining the fun.
The main part of the hall of the old venue was good as was the sound but the new venue seems to have better acoustics and better sound. Also once you passed the open shutter to the main bar of the old venue the sound quality decreased meaning that only people in the main hall got the best of the sound. There was also a great distance from the bar to the stage meaning that on busy nights if you were that far back you never had a good view and the sound wasn't as good. However in the new venue the balcony's mean that as well as having an excellent view the sound quality is unaffected by your position. When busy it all seems a lot more close and personal experience for bands and music fans alike. One other fault of the old venue was too many people hanging about the band rooms upstairs instead of being involved in the atmosphere of the gigs. These are important factors in creating a really good atmosphere and togetherness.
Other probably less important positives are two bars, one on each level and two sets of toilets, upstairs and downstairs which means spending less time queing and less time going to the toilet. Which obviously leaves more time for the music etc.
Our gig on Friday past for the unofficial opening night was awesome. I saw most of Lefty and Friends and really enjoyed their set, but to be honest, if it was at the old venue i prob woulda spent most o the time chillin in the garden, instead of boogying to the music and that sort of emphasises my earlier point from a punters point of view. I also know that others, who not being the biggest fans of Hanney likewise watched and enjoyed our set when at the old venue they too would have probably been in the garden chilling after their set.
So far i'm pleasantly surprised at how good the new venue is shaping up and once the new stage is built i can see it going from strength to strength. I loved the former venue but already i love the new venue too and am really excited about it's future and looking forward to playing there again asap.
Peace and Love folks!!
Brian/Hanney
HANNEY - "IRON FIST" - HANNEYFEST 2 VIDEO MONTAGE