4/4/2009 Imperial Vipers @ Hertford Marquee

Subject	Imperial Vipers @ Hertford Marquee
PostedDate	4/4/2009
	Nothing much of interest happening this Saturday night in The Smoke so I take a drive out to Hertford to see Imperial Vipers. Hertford Marquee is a terrific venue, both from a punters point of view and also the bands who play there. However, there has been one change made at this place recently which has spoiled things somewhat - they have installed a barrier at the front of the stage. Now I can understand the need for a barrier on the occasions when this venue is really full as the stage isn't very high, but they should have got one that is easilly removable for nights like this as it really kills the atmosphere. The Barfly in Camden recently made the same mistake and I have been to gigs there where what little atmospehere there was at lightly attended shows was killed stone dead by the barrier. These things really put a damper on shows and hamper that vital communication between artist and audience. It's good to see a band of this calibre at this venue. The band play well and have some catchy songs. Oddly for a Saturday night in the county town there aren't many people at this gig - usually there is a good crowd of regulars on a Saturday night. The band's frontman Ashley does his best to communicate with the crowd, but his work is made harder by the barrier getting in the way. The band are good enough to make it worth the trip out to Hertford, and a few other people have made the effort to travel from London and also the band's home in the Luton/Dunstable area. It's just a pity more locals didn't make the effort to come and see a quality band on their doorstep.

PS: This venue is now closed.