TW FORUM - LIVE FOREVER
THE TW FORUM CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A LINE-UP OF ONE-OFF EVENTS AND THE RELEASE OF A LEGACY ALBUM
Though not quite as old as its Roman namesake, the Tunbridge Wells Forum celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2018.
As one of the few Kent gig venues to have stayed the course over the years, The Forum has become a go-to stage for up and coming acts looking to make a name for themselves. Hence, they have seen countless young bands go on to greatness.
Look at this ridiculous fu**ng list of legends to have played at the former toilet facility: Green Day, Coldplay, Muse, Oasis, Adele, Ellie Goulding, Foals, Everything Everything, Ocean Colour Scene, Slaves, Royal Blood and Rag ’n’ Bone man.
Mark Davyd, co-founder of The Forum, said: “25 years in a toilet. They'll probably write that on my tombstone. It would be impossible to describe all the experiences, the nights, the stories, the music and the people that the big pile of bricks on the common has given me.
“Keeping a music venue going these days isn't something anyone can do on their own, it takes a community. I'm incredibly proud of every single one of you that's been part of ours. Thank you.”
To mark the anniversary, The Forum, which was awarded Best Small Venue by NME magazine in 2012, is planning a series of live music programmes with established international artists (Frank Turner, Slaves, Everything, Everything), who have helped make the venue the success it is.
However, they also want to also look to the next 25 years, creating a legacy for the next decade by focusing on new and emerging music creators who have the quality and talent to become the established acts of the future.
“We want to provide them with the same facilities, expertise and opportunities that the national/international touring acts have. They will have time and space to experiment, create material and hone their skills”.
Each chosen act will get to release a track for a compilation album that will be used to promote Forum's 25 years and so reach a more national and international audience.
The acts will range from 16 to 50 years old, from diverse genres: electronic, pop, alternative, rock, have released their own EPs or albums, and recorded videos.
They range from 25 years of collaboration and include new acts like Joeyfat, who have just recorded their first session for BBC on Marc Riley's Radio 6 programme, and Ladybird who formed in 2017 and have just been signed to Girl Fight records.
Jason Dormon, co-founder of The Forum, said: “Come and join us as the forum ventures it into adulthood... we’ve had some trials and tribulations along the way, but we are indeed still here and with the teachings of every year passed and the hurdles conquered, the rewards get greater. The wonderful, the passionate, the music fans we meet, the artists their first gig...their last and everything in between...energy cannot be destroyed and exists in many forms and we can create and curate a better positive world full of wonderful art together.”
The Forum CD and Digital release is set for early March. £10.00 per CD.
For more info visit www.twforum.co.uk