Little fire
Reality bites in row over talent
Last week I had written about my despondency of the X Factor- style conveyor belt stars being used to prop up local community events at the expense of local talent and local coffers.
The response was quite staggering from so many of you who felt the same way and felt a real sense of desire to see greater investment in local music and culture over the reality TV pop stars whose greatest asset is simply perhaps that they are known by significant amounts of people.
Being known is all very well and good but delivering on the music front is no less important as well.
I would love to see our local councils consider reinvesting in local artistic communities rather than in the pockets of the cabal of Cowell and co. The arts world is one where they say it’s all about connections and that may be true to an extent but we have to do what we can also to make it a fairer and more just platform for those who work within it.
On support from local authorities I’d like to see a more transparent, supportive and accessible format available for those who seek or receive funding from local authorities to deliver project work in the arts.
I’d love the public to be more aware of who and how they can seek support to develop their craft, their passions and their futures.
I think it’s important to continually seek a higher level of accessible functioning at all levels, local and national, and to expect that our services strive to better themselves also.
• Sincere congratulations to Ayrshire piper James Harper and his band Dosca who have been nominated at the 2016 Trad Awards.
I’ve had the pleasure of hearing James and Dosca perform several times and they really are fantastic.
Please let’s get behind this special Ayrshire talent and support James and Dosca. You can vote by visiting www. surveymonkey. co. uk/ r/ Tradawards2016
• Winterstorm in Troon is coming up soon and promises to be a real cracker of a few days for live music in Ayrshire with some big hitters in the rock world coming to rock the toon in addition to local acts playing the bill.
Legends such as Ricky Warwick, Praying Mantis and Toseland will join more locally familiar gems such as the Amorettes and Bloodlines.
It’s fantastic to see a resurgence in rock locally and I urge you to get up and support it. The gigs will take place at the Concert Hall and Southbeach Hotel in Troon and it will be an absolute stormer. Props to Ian Mcaig and his team for putting it together. www. winterstorm. co. uk
• On a personal note, and something that I hope will be of interest to the Ayrshire music community, I have just submitted my application to tender for the acquisition of the Darlington Church in Ayr.
It is my sincere hope and passion to acquire turn this building into a bespoke live music venue and arts hub which will serve and be used by the music and arts community in Ayrshire and beyond. You can follow progress or get in touch at www. darlingtonayr. com
@ littlefire