Three years in Hull: A student's view

I wrote this back in June and it has been published in the October edition of Sandman Magazine.

As the dust settles on the farewell binge and all we're left with is blu-tac stained walls and awkward man-hugs, the time has come to reflect on three years as a student in Hull. Like the majority of wide-eyed, fresh faced first years, I arrived at the halls of residence carrying boxes overflowing with CDs (these were the olden days, before mp3s made music less of an object and more of a concept), and quickly found likeminded pals with whom to share the journey.

Living a bus ride away from civilisation in Cottingham meant that our exposure to the local music scene was limited in the first few months. We had a few outings to Asylum, the campus nightclub, where an early incarnation of Turismo was struggling against the horrific sound system, along with the likes of 59 Violets and The Blue Slide Circle. However, our regular gig haunt came from an unlikely source - The King William IV pub on Cottingham High Street. Every Wednesday, Mike and Danny from The Bonnitts would host an open mic night in the backroom, and a handful of scruffy indie kids - yours truly included - would bang out classic covers from Erasure to the Eagles, competing manfully against the pool tables and televised football. It was a bizarre introduction to the Hull scene, but remains an enduring memory of life as a fresher.

Making the move up to Beverley Road for the University equivalent of the difficult second album, I encountered an unopened wardrobe of musical goodies, leading to the enchanted forest of magical sounds and, er, overly elaborate metaphors. The Adelphi inevitably became my temple of worship, introducing me to local bands such as The Holy Orders, Alison Angus and Fonda 500, all of whom I have followed with both journalistic professionalism and unabashed hysterical fandom. The Lamp also quickly became a perennial favourite, the Sidekicks Lounge on Wednesday nights hosting some of the best gigs of my time here, including James Yorkston, Analogue Consumption, Park and Ride and exciting new Grimsby talents The Brightlights.
There has been widespread criticism of Hull's inability to attract the biggest names of the moment, whoever they may be, but quality often outshines reputation and you'd struggle to find a more consistent line-up for sheer variety of style.

One of the biggest parts of my Hull experience has been the excitement surrounding the regular visits of out of town acts, particularly those from across the pond in the U.S.A. I have seen Thomas Truax three times at The Adelphi, and each time have been reminded of his sparkling unpredictability. Dufus [video below], Danielson and the ear-splitting Melt Banana will stay with me for a long time, and the legendary Jeffrey Lewis was as thought-provoking and witty as he is on record. When speaking to international jet-setting groups for whom this is just another stop on a lengthy tour, they all speak fondly of Yorkshire, and many of them are very aware of the musical history of the place. Long may Hull continue to attract such unique international artists.

I feel that this recollection of the live music that shaped my student life would not be complete without discussing the open mic scene around Hull. I have already mentioned my humble baptism in The King Billy, but closer to the city centre there is so much more on offer. The Sanctuary's regular slot, started by the newly formed band society in 2006, was too often doomed by lack of publicity from the student union, but when it clicked it really did showcase some of the best talent the student community had to offer. It's a similar story at Sleepers on Newland Avenue, which regularly attracts quality artists without reaching out too far beyond its comfort zone. The daddy of all open mic experiences is, of course, Monday night at The Adelphi. A free-for-all forum for all shapes and sizes, acts range from four-chord Fratellis clones to the sonic soundscape experiments of Misshapen Lodge and the technically brilliant love songs of Phil Wilson, a.k.a MyOneManBand. The Adelphi boss Paul Jackson does a tremendous job, not only providing such a prestigious platform for young musicians to perform, but also offering an encouraging word both to the regulars and the new faces. If you haven't tried it yet, give it a go.

Over the past 18 months of writing for Sandman, I have heard a wide range of opinions on the Hull music scene, and now seems as good a time as any to offer my own thoughts. To put it bluntly, the place is thriving - it just needs more people to realise it. The size of the crowds at the majority of local gigs simply doesn't do justice to the supreme wealth of talent on display. Nights such as The Gig That Exploded, The Sidekicks Lounge and The Sesh will be in danger of dying out if they don't get the support they deserve. 'You're preaching to the converted,' I hear you cry, so I'll bid you farewell for now. Thanks for the memories Hull. It's been anything but dull.