TO PROMOTE (verb): To contribute to the growth,
enlargement, or prosperity of ; to forward; to further; to encourage; to
advance; to excite
Plum promotions is an independent promotions company formed in 1998 by
Allan North and business partner Nick Stockman. For the last five years the
company's main focus has been running the live music at the Water Rats theatre.
In 2000, Nick moved on to settle down and start a family, and Allan bought
his share of the business. In the seven years that Plum have been involved
at the Water Rats, the venue has developed a reputation as one of the finest
showcase venues in the country, playing host to both up and coming stars playing
their first UK gigs to established artists getting back to their roots. These
have included early shows by the like of Keane, Muse, Doves,
The Hives and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, as well as low-key
'secret' gigs by Ash, Feeder, The Breeders and Alanis
Morissette. The venue is also a well known haunt for the odd rock 'n roll
icon, whether its Michael Stipe propping up the bar with a pint of
guiness, or Noel and Liam checking out a mate's band. Just recently
the venue played host to none other than Sir Paul McCartney, who popped
in with his wife to check out a couple of bands.
In 2002, Plum promotions opened a second venue in Farringdon, the Betsey Trotwood. A tiny little place, it has enabled the company to dedicate itself even further to discovering and helping rising artistic talent - over the three years it has been open, this cosy, 60 capacity venue has seen early shows from Keane, Boy Kill Boy, the Magic Numbers, KT Tunstell, Simple Kid, New Rhodes, Hot Chip, the Subways, and a long line of quality artists who love playing in an intimate atmosphere - but this doesn't just apply to music. For many years, the company has operated an in-house training policy for its engineers and staff. Everyone at the company comes in with little experience but great potential, and they are allowed to develop their skills in an environment that encourages initiative and creativity coupled with a strong work ethic and an easy-going attitude. Over the last year, the upstairs area of the Betsey has also developed into a unique space for up and coming comedians, poets and singer songwriters, playing host to the 'Freakshow' and 'Sketch Etc' comedy nights, 'Songs In The Dark' and various private label showcases. Like the demo workshops that have already proven a great success, these are non-profit making projects which are aimed at helping the company and the individuals involved to build for the future.
In 2004, Plum were approached by the landlord of No. 1 Leicester Square to programme the live events at the new 900+ capacity venue. The Marquee Club opened in spectacular fashion September that year with blinding shows from the Magic Numbers, Tom Vek, Do Me Bad Things, New Rhodes, Dirty Vegas, Ed Harcourt, Art Brut, and The Hidden Cameras, all in the space of two weeks. Phew! The Marquee has since continued on a high with shows from Ash, Editors, the Raveonettes, Ordinary Boys, Vincent Vincent & the Villains, Chikinki, Wheatus, Rilo Kiley, Redjetson, Levellers, Out Hud, Mylo, Hot Chip, The Barbs, Talvin Singh, David McCalmont, Kubb and more, as well as providing a place for talented unsigned acts to play in the kind of venue they wouldn't normally get a chance to play.
A year after the Marquee opened its doors, we
have now been asked to take care of live music events at Plan B in Brixton,
a venue already establilshed in the area as a quality club venue, with Mike
Skinner's label The Beats putting on a monthly night there. From September
2005, we will be adding live bands to the programme of events there, spreading
the Plum love south of the river.
Operating from a small office in central London, Plum
Promotions are dedicated to getting the maximum possible out of the spaces
they promote. We don't cut corners, we go for quality. We have a solid reputation
for well organised shows with fantastic sound systems and helpful, experienced
staff. That said, we like to maintain a fairly low profile - we get the job
done in the background and leave the showy stuff to the acts we book, and
thats the way they like it too. At present, we have an office team of four:
Allan
North. Owner and main booker. Prior to the Water Rats, Allan was manager
of the 12 Bar Club, during the period in which the venue held the TIME OUT
magazine's 'Live music venue of the year' award. He helped establish the 12
Bar Club as a credible venue on the live circuit, convincing the likes of
Billy Bragg, Kristin Hersch and Bernard Butler to grace the tiny gig space.
Having restored the reputation of the Water Rats as a live venue following
its temporary closure in 1997, he continues to oversee its development, as
well as looking to repeat early successes with the 12 Bar Club at the Betsey
Trotwood. After firmly establishing the Water Rats on the London live circuit,
he has since taken on the Marquee Club in Leicester Square - his biggest project
to date.
Sarah
Thirtle. Assistant Manager. A self confessed workaholic, Sarah gave up
the glamour of working in a press department at Universal Music to join Plum
Promotions in 2001. Passionate about the live music scene, Sarah has dedicated
her working life to discovering new talent and telling the world about it.
Now the main booker for the Water Rats and assisting with events at the Marquee,
she still enjoys listening to demos and seeking out the stars of tomorrow.
She also hosts the regular Breakthrough nights which give bands a chance to
meet industry professionals and gain advice from them.
Matthew
Grundy. Matthew began working for Plum in 2002, following the launch of
the Betsey Trotwood. Matthew began by looking after publicity and press, writing
for the website, and listening to demos. He is now the main booker for the
Betsey Trotwood, and assists with bookings at the Water Rats and Marquee.
From September 2005, Matthew will be in charge of live events at our new South
London venue, Plan B in Brixton.
Nikki Pitt. Nikki joined us in April 2004, and has made herself very useful
answering phones, looking after our membership scheme and keeping things organised.
She is now in charge of all publicity and press, and maintains the website
to the excellent standard it has now reached. The much needed discipline she
brings to the office is backed up by the fact that she is also just two belts
away from black in the martial art of Kenpo, making her the Uma Thurman of
the team. So don't mess.
As well as the office team, Plum Promotions also employs the services of a talented group of Engineers, Stagehands, Door Staff and Night Managers. As mentioned above, all our engineers are taken on from college and trained in house, and the feedback we get assures us that our policy works, and that we have one of the finest crews in London. Too many people playing shows in London find venues with unco-operative staff with inflated egos. There's no room for that in our business - all our staff are friendly, down to earth, and dedicated to the job in hand. The company could not exist without the acts we book and the people that come to see them, so they are always the priority.
_______________________________________________________________________________________