Readers might recall that for quite some time I have been championing a brand new venue in Oldham, Greater Manchester – ‘The Loom’ – as a potential gigging venue for touring Nordic artists and bands. I have posted several times about it.
That venue has now been open for a couple of months. It can host an audience of up to 1,000 or be split into smaller sections.
Unfortunately, the rental cost of the venue would probably be prohibitive for many artists despite a reasonable share of the takings on offer, which would be at the ratio of 70/30 in the band’s/promoter’s favour.
If anyone reading this would still like to look into playing there just let me know and I’ll supply information and get the Booking Manager to contact you.
So, I’ve downscaled a bit and I’m focusing attention now on a well established theatre in my home town of Shaw, which is also in Oldham.
The Playhouse2 has existed since 1966 and hosts a wide variety of entertainment including plays, films and music gigs.
It was the first amateur theatre with an open thrust stage in the North West of England, which provides perfect viewing from any angle – an asset we are sure performers will appreciate.
The sound system is excellent.
Playhouse 2 is a completely seated venue with tiered seating (but there is a bit of dancing room at the front!) 153 seats. There is a bar.
The venue is accessible by public transport (Greater Manchester Metrolink Tram) from any of 100 stops throughout the metropolitan area of three million people. The Shaw & Crompton tram stop is about five minutes walk from the venue.
Also accessible by train to, and tram from, Rochdale, which is an intercity rail station serving West Yorkshire (Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield etc) – population 2.5 million.
From Lancashire and Merseyside (Liverpool) trains run into Manchester Victoria rail station which is also a tram stop. From the south the rail station is Manchester Piccadilly, also on the Metrolink network.
By car, accessibility is via two major motorways – the M62, the principal northern England east-west motorway, connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds/Bradford, Sheffield and Hull, and the Manchester Orbital motorway, the M60. Free parking for up to three hours is available in an Asda store car park right across the road from the venue. Other car parks are available nearby, usually without charge.
Taxis (minicabs) are available within 100 yards of the venue.
There are many pubs and cafes in the immediate vicinity.
Playhouse 2 could be your venue for the whole of Greater Manchester, indeed possibly for much of northern England.
Nordic Music Central will offer whatever assistance it can to promote an event.
There will be occasions of course when the venue is not available because of another event but that applies everywhere.
‘Free’ gigs are not possible – the venue, which is run by volunteers as a charity, hosts these events in order to take a minority share of the revenue to supplement its income.
For more details see: https://www.playhouse2.org/
Also – Tripadvisor reviews – https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1115247-d7300014-Reviews-Playhouse2-Shaw_Greater_Manchester_England.html
