Swindon Music

So, not sure how widespread the news is yet, but I was told on Saturday night that MECA has been sold. The new buyer is someone from the town who's had places in the past.

The source was 100% credible but until any official announcement it may all be Chinese Whispers I guess.

Any idea if it's likely to remain a venue, or going to be an alcopop meatmarket ?

No, I've no idea - although the guy who's bought it has been involved with nightclub venues before.

Thing is, unless AMG or similar get hold of MECA, everyone else is going to run into the precise same problems that have meant, what, 5 bands have played there in a year?

Where did they go wrong do you think?

Went there once and it was certainly nothing to write home about

It's not so much a case of going wrong, more a case of it being almost impossible to book the kind of bands that a MECA sized venue needs if you're not one of about four organisations or have limitless cash available.

I think most people knew it was going to be an uphill battle with AMG having Academies in both Bristol and Oxford. Basically means no Swindon venue would ever get to book any touring bands that are playing those venues... which is virtually all of them.

Can't say I'm surprised

Another wasted opportunity

It has been announced so I can now let you all know that yes there are new people now involved in the MECA.

Justin Britchford and Andy Cotton are now two new owners. If you don't know them.

Justin has been involved in several venues around the town for over 20 years.

Andy cotton, owner of TAO Productions, a multi award winning event management company who has worked with everyone from Beyonce, Rod Stewart , JLS and Rhianna.

This is great news and there is great activity on all fronts from only a few days of being offcially on board.

You'll forgive the scepticism, given that those words are virtually verbatim what we all read a year ago when MECA opened its doors.

I think it's also time to stop putting the phrase, 'Tickets are flying out the door and selling fast' at the end of each event that you've been forced to cancel due to lack of ticket sales.

If this latest incarnation is to work, less smoke and mirrors and a little more honesty will be required. That way you'll get the town behind you... instead of the current situation.



Looking at their website, they seem to mainly provide event safety and security services. Something that MECA doesn't urgently require, given that there aren't any events held there. Also, all of the acts you mentioned above are FAR too big to ever play MECA and would all be looking at fees of £500,000+ (apart from JLS, who are still too big to play MECA). So, the real question is: how does adding Andy Cotton and Justin Britchford create an opportunity to persuade AMG to allow you to book touring bands that are playing either the Bristol or Oxford Academies?

Until you can do that, MECA will contine to remain closed for 28 days out of every month.

You'll probably view this post as unduly negative, but I think most of us are simply fed up with endless promises that simply don't materialise as anything in reality. Another year of nothing happening is something we all want to avoid.

I'd agree with that, 12 months on from opening the MECA has completed failed to deliver the goods despite most of the town (including myself) willing it on to, I think most people in the town were realistic as they knew the MECA was never going to be putting on big names 2-3 times a week as it had neither financial clout or the influence of a large corporate such as an 02. However it has been a bit of a damp squib hasn't it, sure we were never going to get huge names playing the town but the live music provision has been piss poor to be quite frank, nothing against Thin Lizzy, Buzzcocks etc but where is the new music?

Wonder if we'll be having the same conversations in 12 months

This isn't aimed at Steve who I have a great deal of respect for, he played a huge part in getting the Shuffle up and running and has done a great deal for the town.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/9358803.MECA_set_to_showcase_top_names/

Really hope this works out, Swindon NEEDS a venue like this.

Taken from the adver
"MECA set to showcase top names"

“We are looking at events that will appeal to everybody and cover every genre whether it be the Chuckle Brothers, to well, Beyonce would be lovely but very unlikely."

I don't need to say anymore really

Be fair, the Adver always misquotes everyone so that might not be exactly what Steve said.

Haha! +1. I wish the new team all the best - hope they can build on the massive potential there. Andy Cotton is a good pick for this town