Two of the most respected and experienced stalwarts of the West Yorkshire music scene have teamed up to create a new venture called #360RAW. RICHARD WATSON, promoter of the 360 Club at Leeds Library, and ALAN RAW, presenter of BBC Introducing West Yorkshire and BBC Introducing Humberside, will curate a new monthly night with hand-picked bands from the West Yorkshire area.
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The first of these monthly events on FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY – subtitled #360RAW1 – will feature four acts: AS SIRENS FALL from Keighley; KILL THE SILENCE from Leeds; STAND ALONE from Bradford; and DEADLOCK SAINTS from Leeds on FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY.
Each of the nights will also see Alan Raw DJ before and between the live sets, playing new music of all styles from local artists. Anyone will be able to turn up and meet the face behind BBC Introducing and hand over demos which he may well play on the night, or pass onto the producers for consideration on his shows.
The ethos of #360RAW is purely about supporting emerging acts, a passion they share and one that sees both of them willingly offer musicians their time and help and advice, as well as attending free industry events, often arranged by the 360 Club themselves.
RICHARD WATSON and ALAN RAW met many years ago when they were both on the same industry panel at an event for musicians. They got chatting and realised how much they had in common in terms of their passion for supporting new talent and new music. They stayed in touch, became good friends and, when Alan began his BBC Introducing West Yorkshire show, started recommending acts for the other to check out.
With such a wealth of industry experience between them alongside countless contacts at labels, management, publishing, events, festivals and media, it became a natural progression to champion new music together and to help the talented people creating it who, often, have very little understanding of the workings of the music industry. To increase that understanding is to increase their chances of surviving, of continuing to do what they love and to, hopefully, allow them to make a living from it.
