Latest news with #SteveDoyle
BBC News
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jersey musicians call for more grassroots music venues
Local musicians have called for more music venues in Jersey, including small capacity grassroots plea follows the results of the Fort Regent redevelopment survey which found a 2,500 capacity concert hall was the most popular proposed multi-purpose hall proposal received an average rating of 8.7 out of ten for satisfaction from the poll's 6,000 of Jersey band The Riffs said the island needed more permanent music venues. Local cover band The Riffs, made up of Steve Doyle and Barry James, said a dedicated music venue was needed in James said the Fort Regent concert hall was "absolutely what this place needs" but only if local bands could play there as support acts to UK musicians. The local musicians said they also wanted to see more grassroots venues in Jersey, dedicated to original music performances. Mr Doyle said a permanent grassroots venue would give viewers the choice to watch bands perform new music. 'People love music' Mr James said without a permanent grassroots venue, there would not be any local acts to perform on a large stage at Fort said: "If there is a number of grassroots venues, then people start there, then they start to build a following."So without these small venues, there are no middle venues and then there's no one in Fort Regent supporting whoever."Without the middle venues and without the grassroots venues where do the bands play?" Meanwhile, Mr James said the government's decision to reintroduce drinks promotions had removed a "massive stumbling block" for independent venues considering hosting live Doyle said he hoped the change would revive the "dwindling" numbers of people in Jersey's pubs and said lower alcohol costs would get more people watching and interested in live James said: "If [interest] is there, hopefully venues follow. People love music. Everybody likes music and the ability to go out and see live music is a joy in someone's life."Yes, there are places that do [live music] but we need more." Shay Barker, frontman of UK-based band Hot Juice, moved from Jersey to Brighton to develop his music said the cost of travelling to gigs on the mainland was too expensive and he had out-grown the limited number of venues to play in the agreed that a Fort Regent music venue would benefit Barker said: "I think it's brilliant, it will bring people over to Jersey and then there's the opportunity to open for bigger artists."But I think they need more grassroots - almost 50, 75, 100 to 150 [capacity venues]."He said venues of that size were a more "realistic" step up for bands who had played at local pubs. Mr Barker said: "Whether I would have moved eventually or not, I definitely would've been [in Jersey] a lot longer if I'd been able to get to the next place."I do think Jersey's got a really good music scene - it's just a shame there's a lack of venues."
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Men's mental health group Andysmanclub is coming to Taunton
A suicide prevention charity is meeting for the first time to offer open discussions about men's mental named after a man called Andrew Roberts who took his own life, will be running sessions in Taunton in group says it will run free peer-to-peer support sessions each week, where men can speak openly to each other and share their South West area lead for the charity, Steve Doyle, said: "Having a space where you can go along and speak very openly to people who may have gone through similar things, and get what you're talking about, can be very powerful in helping you move on." Mr Doyle said anyone who identifies as a man and is over 18 years old can come along to one of the sessions, which will take place every Monday evening at Nightingale Lodge on E Reach."Everyone has some kind of struggle with their mental health at some point during their lives," Mr Doyle said."I came to Andysmanclub in January 2022. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression."I was more honest there than I was in my counselling sessions or towards my family and friends. There were guys there who had been in similar situations, and were further along the line from it."Mr Doyle said there is "no pressure" to share anything, everyone who attends is invited to speak as much or little as they would like."The first night is always nerve racking because you put the sign outside and you never know how many people will come along," he added.
