Reflections and gossip from ‘old stage prop Suggy’

(Andrew Sugden, Editor)

It’s been a while since the YGG team put together an up to date gig guide; but here we are with our December edition.

 We found the pandemic a difficult time, and we have shut down the CIC company, not because it wasn't viable commercially, but because it took up most of our lives, drawing us into lots of adventures, yes, organising monthly music nights, festivals, the annual grassroots awards, a ticket shop and lots of other things too. 

 But the team members are now in their late sixties and early seventies- and we need to move on and have some breathing space. 

But we found we couldn't just kill the Yorkshire Gig Guide online magazine (YGG);

 It has a genuinely grassroots voice, quirky yes- a voice that shouts out... the humanity of the every day, and community, not seeing individuals as the everyday person, but rather everyone as extraordinary and unique... shouting out for grassroots culture… For the people and places that make it possible and the importance of small to medium grass roots venues and the people who make them work. 

 A voice that believes the world needs a bit of kindness and sanity, and it comes from the humanity of the every day, and community. As Chris (the man in a hat) Martin once said to me, “Millions of small acts of kindness everywhere every day keeping the light on and the darkness at bay.” 

So along with our social media groups, it continues; but now as a completely voluntary, non-commercial entity.

We've got lots of good grassroots stuff in this edition... enjoy.

The Yorkshire Gig Guide is celebrating eighteen years supporting Grassroots music. We started in 2008 and we aim to be aspiring, authentic and inclusive; we are a small and pretty diverse group who love music, performance and art, particularly the expressions that come from the every day and the grassroots and we want to raise awareness, creating opportunities

and encouraging action for everyone in the cultural life of Yorkshire.

We cross genres in our explorations and we try and bring this to the fore. We hope you enjoy the Yorkshire Gig Guide and we love feedback, so do get in touch with us at andrew@yorkshiregigguide.co.uk, or phone 07885 377797. Enjoy this festive month and I hope to see you at a live gig somewhere.