Music events are back in Harrogate after lockdown rules are eased further by Government

From the sizable Harrogate Convention Centre to the tiny Blues Bar, the day lockdown was introduced was the moment the lights went out on the town’s live music scene.

But Simon Colgan, co-owner of Harrogate’s famous Blues Bar, has always stayed hopeful and positive throughout lockdown.

Now, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that indoor theatre, music and performance venues would be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences from tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, the Blues Bar is preparing to reopen in a week's time.

But the return of live gigs at the popular bar set on leafy Montpellier Hill will see table booking and safety rules in place.

Mr Colgan said: "Live music is starting again inside the Blues Bar now that the Government is allowing it.

"But we will be adhering to social distance rules.

"We will be taking table bookings for both downstairs and upstairs, where customers can watch the live music on a screen and hear it through the PA."

Until now even though the laidback Blues Bar had reopened for customers to drink and socialise in line with existing Government rules, booking bands and giving them reassurance that their already booked gigs would go ahead just had not been possible, Mr Colgan said.

But the latest Government easing of lockdown, which also involves small wedding receptions and beauty services such as facials, eyebrow threading, eyelash treatments, means venues such as the Blues Bar, a bijou venue which has in the past welcomed the likes of Julian Cope, John Cooper Clarke, Wild Beasts and singer Glen Hansard, star of the film Once, to its tiny stage and wooden floorboards, can now start to plan gigs for the first time in four months.

The first live gigs at the Blues Bar will begin on Saturday, August 22.

It is expected those first shows will feature some of the venue's most popular acts and demand for tables is expected t to be high.

To book a table at the Blues Bar, please call 01423 566881.

New lockdown rules

The new relaxation of lockdown rules will also see the piloting of a small number of sporting events to test the safe return of spectators will resume, commencing with the final of the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre over the weekend.

And casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks and soft play centres will also be allowed to reopen.

Live music at Harrogate bistro

Closer at hand, live music will be on the menu this Sunday, August 16, at a Harrogate town centre restaurant, two weeks after the government pulled the plug on performances just days before their resumption.

From 5pm, The Fashion House Bistro, on Swan Road, will be playing host to a duet performing well-known, easy listening songs by the likes of George Gershwin and Rodgers and Hart.

The pair, Chris White (vocals) and Martin Long (piano) are already well-known on Harrogate’s live music scene, having previously been two thirds a trio playing at Harrogate Brasserie for the last 13 years.

Thursday evening, Fashion House Bistro will be hosting an acoustic singer, whose set will begin at 8.30pm.

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