Live call to the Brickyard

The Brickyard, formerly known as Richmond Hall, in Carlisle is gearing up to lay on three-in-a-night live band sessions in the city attracting students and locals alike.

General manager Andy McCormack, who reckons treble-whammy sessions are just what the county needs, has high hopes and fine plans for the recently refurbished venue.

"The whole philosophy of the place is to promote live music metal, skate punk, hip hop, indie, alternative rock whatever. We are just trying to steer clear of pop stuff.

"There are places catering for covers bands, house, dance and pop but nowhere for anything else. So we are going to stick to our guns."

The venue, in its Richmond Hall days, was a veritable hub of music talent, playing host to bands such as John Martyn, The Wedding Present, Arab Strap and Rock Bitch.

The hall went into hibernation around two years ago, but when Andy MacCormack returned from a stint working in America he got together with a team of music lovers and set about renovating the venue.

Walls as wet as the Irish Sea, hitches, glitches and problems with paint didn't deter them as they set about turning their vision into reality.

Bespoke lighting, sound systems and raw-rock dcor of exposed brick, black paint and high ceilings were all put in place and, finally, on New Year's Eve the doors opened.

"It looks really wild - there's a very warehousey feel to the place like a cool student bar and a muso hangout rolled into one," said Andy who wants to see Carlisle back on the national touring circuit.

"I think there's enough demand for a place like this there's lots of local bands with nowhere to play. We want people to get into the habit of listening to original live music again Some students are already calling it the student union they never had."

The Brickyard is now pulling together its first calendar of gigs. Watch this space for details or contact promoter Sarah Byers on 01228-512220.

January 9, 2003 11:00