Elgin in Musical Ruin?

Clapton, The Beatles and Pink Floyd all played in Elgin. Now the Lantern of the north sits in silence as it's population turn their ears off. Will Elgin ever reclaim it's title of Moray music capital?

Elgin Cathedral, © Chris Hammond

Elgin is a small historical town (or city if you are being really pedantic). It is famous for it's whisky, architecture, medieval street plan, unfeasibly mild weather, rubbish football team, actor Kevin McKidd and having a style of semi-brogue named after it.

With a roundabout population of 26,000 and more houses springing up all over the place, you would think there was at least one place where you could listen to decent live music. Ok so there is respectable Jazz at the Eight Acres, but the bar is a rip off and a visit to the place has the appeal of a short-term stay at a hospice. In brief it's a bit shit. Then there is Downtown, actually not a bad place to stage a gig, three bars, seating in places, large dance floor. Perfect? You would think so, except in reality it hosts nothing but piss poor cover bands. The town hall, an architectural monstrosity, and the most underused town hall in the history of town halls is equally appalling. Model railway exhibitions, pantomimes and a New Year shindig interspersed with Kenny Rogers and Led Zeppelin tributes does not constitute proper usage. Then there was Ocean who at least managed to attract some good upcoming bands - but that hardly matters now as it's been taken over and turned into Republika.

Depressing? Well yes, but it needn't be. We aren't quite at the point of putting Sting's 'Fields of Gold' on. You only have to look at neighbours Lossiemouth, Nairn, Findhorn and Forres to see examples of excellent small venues. The Loft especially regularly attracts bands that wouldn't look out of place at King Tut's or the Lemon Tree. Findhorn's Universal Hall managed to wangle the Waterboys and often provide a billing of top stand up comics. Nairn has an internationally renowned Jazz Festival Yes that's right Nairn. Even the Warehouse in Lossiemouth manages to attract reasonable acts, most recently Frank Turner (of Million Dead).

Elgin on a Friday and Saturday night is as busy as one of John Reid's prisons. You can hardly move in the Muckle Cross, the Foundry is always packed and sometimes you are lucky if you can even get into the likes of Downtown and Jo's. What's more, a new Smith and Jones bar has just opened and again it's going to be colossally big. I can guarantee come Saturday night it will be swimming with bodies just like the others.

Even more frustratingly Elgin is home to a reasonable amount of musicians and young bands. Yet how often does a bar ask someone to do an acoustic set?

Elgin is big enough and busy enough to warrant a decent music venue or event, anyone with half a brain can see that. It also needn't be restricted to Scottish bands; we are only a half hour from Inverness airport which has daily flights to London, Liverpool and beyond. We had the Beatles, Clapton and Pink Floyd when Two Red Shoes was open. Personally I'd settle for some established groups similar to those that turn up in the Loft. Another major gripe is that the gorgeous Grant Lodge sits empty and in disrepair. The council reckon it would take some £4 million to spruce it up and make it into an arts centre. Now we all know the current council are useless (amongst other things) and whilst they remain, I fear a multi purpose arts venue capable of putting on a band is nothing but a pipe dream. But dream we must. A few of us have spoken about getting an Elgin music festival going over the summer and inviting some reasonable bands to play, but alas it would appear we are too few to get the ball rolling. If anyone else shares our vision, you know where to find us.

*Article Update!

Since this article was originally written, there have been a few minor developments

1. The famous Grant Lodge could be set for a makeover. A competition for redevelopment plans was launched with a view to renovating the building. If plans go ahead and funding is secured Grant Lodge could be home to an Elgin Arts centre, complete with gallery, stage and bar.

2. I spent an evening in Jo's with renowned Elgin drunkard and beloved chum Alan Morgan where I was afforded the opportunity to express my distaste at the live music available at Downtown/Jo's, with a senior member of staff. My offer of help in securing a better standard of artist was accepted. However budget limitations were too severe, unless Downtown charges for admission (which it has never done) this will remain the same.

Written By Hammond