Down By The River

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Down By The River

DBTR is a not-for-profit live music promoter. All generated income is paid directly to musicians.
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'DownByTheRiver is one of those forward-thinking promoters.' - NARC magazine

16/08/2024

Our Autumn programme is now live and has been put together with Blues/Americana fans in mind. As always all ticket sales are paid directly to the musicians

11/08/2024

Sunday 15th September - Folk In The Bar w/ George Boomsma

‘A skilled guitarist, distinctive songwriter and a fine singer’ – Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show

‘Beautiful songs that will squeeze your heartstrings until your eyes pop’ – Rocking Magpie

🎟 https://georgiantheatre.co.uk/live-events/folk-in-the-bar-featuring-george-boomsma/

07/08/2024

We are really thrilled that Emma has agreed to do a one-off intimate acoustic show at Claypath Delicatessen in Durham on Saturday September 14. She will be performing two sets which will feature tracks from the superb Memphis Calling. This event will sell out so if Blues, Soul and R&B is your thing head over to downbytheriver9.com and bag a ticket.

Album Review of Emma Wilson: Memphis Calling What a voice! Emma Wilson’s Memphis Calling is a powerful rhythm and blues record. While I’d primarily classify it as blues, it is a very so…

04/08/2024

TODAY (3pm) - Down By The River's Blues In The Bar Presents... Bubamara

FREE ENTRY

02/08/2024

25/07/2024

Yes, on Sunday 4th August at 3pm we are back with a bang with the mighty Bubamara who will be bringing their unique blend of ‘Musica frizzante della Mediterranean’ to The Georgian Bar - our contribution to Stockton International Riverside Festival Looking forward to seeing everyone! (It’s Free)

23/07/2024

21/07/2024

On Sunday August 4th in the bar at The Georgian Theatre we are hosting a FREE event in partnership with Stockton International Riverside Festival. Expect this kind of thing! 3pm Start.

Bubamara - tracks from NARC.TV Episode 20 Live set recorded at Pineapple Black, Middlesbrough by Art Mouse Media Original Episode of Narc TV can be found he...

15/07/2024

If R&B is your thing, then you won’t want to miss who will be in Durham City on 14/9.

&b

08/07/2024

A live music celebration of yesterday’s election result in France 🇫🇷

04/07/2024

Today of all days

Original music video for Something Better Change by The Stranglers released as a single on 22nd July 1977.www.thestranglers.co.ukwww.facebook.com/thestrangle...

21/06/2024

*** GIG ANNOUNCEMENT ***

On the Sunday of the Stockton International Riverside Festival weekend, Down By The River present a special FREE ENTRY edition of blues in the bar featuring Bubamara.

Folk exotica, polka bandits, Bubamara, are a four-piece based in Darlington with songs and tunes that conjure the essence of the Mediterranean and beyond, the hash dens, cabarets, brothels and prisons of the fin-de-siècle.

17/06/2024

DBTR right now….

Provided to YouTube by Believe SASBike Rider (feat. Pupajim) · Mungo's Hi FiSerious Time℗ Scotch Bonnet RecordsReleased on: 2014-06-02Author: J.M. CarioletFe...

04/06/2024

This Thursday we present the wonderful + with local support from + at the amazing on6 JUNE, for an intimate acoustic evening from 7pm (doors at 6/6.30pm) / Tickets £10adv (link in bio)

03/05/2024

The Northallerton Troubadour returns with eight new songs. Reflective, nostalgic, deeply personal and thoroughly engaging.

21/04/2024

Fuzzy, Psych infused garage rock was on the menu last light and Scott Hepple and The Sun Band duly delivered. Thanks to everyone who came out.

20/04/2024

Thanks Rockers.

17/04/2024

if, as NARC. Magazine say ‘you like your garage rock scuzzy and psych infused’ then you could do worse than heading down to Claypath Deli in Durham on Saturday. 7pm start.

DURHAM - This Saturday!! Doors open at 7pm. Tickets going quick so get 'em before they go, link in bio and on story!

We'll be showcasing some brand new songs here, it's our first gig in Durham (the city where 3 of us are from originally!). Come down early to see ! Thanks a lot to for having us on, we can't wait for this one 🤘

15/04/2024

Happening this Saturday. 7pm start. Scuzzy, fuzzed up psych infused rock. Scott Hepple and the Sun Band, last seen on stage at The City Hall Newcastle opening for The Doors Alive

14/04/2024

Have you checked out our annual compilation album yet? The free compilation on Bandcamp showcases some of our favourite artists from the last year. Check out tracks from Amateur Ornithologist, Church, Honey, Fashion Tips, Grace Stubbings, IRKED, Isabel Maria, ivies band, Loren Heat, Maius Mollis, Marina Josephina, Sarah Johnsone Music, Taliraw, The Timewasters, Tin Ribs, Twayn and Wingz of the Monkey.
👉 Download or stream from our Bandcamp: www.narcmagazine.bandcamp.com

12/04/2024

Went there feeling unsure, came away impressed. Wrote about the experience for Rocking Magpie. This is how Gabriel Moreno & Jason McNiff with The Brothers of Mercy wowed The Georgian Theatre, Stockton last Sunday with their celebration of ’The General’ - Mr Leonard Cohen.

Generally speaking DBTR does not pay much heed to the nostalgia trend that has ripped through the live music scene like wildfire over recent times. However, there is a mystique and enduring respect…

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Durham City Blues Music

Our Autumn programme is now live and has been put together with Blues/Americana fans in mind. As always all ticket sales are paid directly to the musicians #keepmusiclive #notforprofit

A live music celebration of yesterday’s election result in France 🇫🇷 #UnityInDiversity

Happening this Saturday. 7pm start. Scuzzy, fuzzed up psych infused rock. Scott Hepple and the Sun Band, last seen on stage at The City Hall Newcastle opening for The Doors Alive

It's not the end of days - it's just a new phase.

Keep | The Blues | Alive

A few words from Cerys and a few beats from the Babajack. We are good to go this Sunday at 3pm with Trevor Babajack Steger + James Gray Robson Last few tickets and then we are full. #bluesmusic #teesside 🎸

George Boomsma (band show) Laurels, Whitley Bay 4pm Sunday 14/4

This is what Mark Radcliffe had to say on his BBC Radio 2 Folk Show. See one of the upcoming stars of the folk world playing live on the coast on Sunday 14/4 - 4pm start. Full details here > GEORGE BOOMSMA + MAT HUNSLEY @ Laurels, Whitley Bay

Blues in the Bar The Georgian Theatre, Stockton 24/3/24

Blues in the Bar with the Babajack + James Grey 3pm on Sunday 24th March. Details here > BLUES IN THE BAR with TREVOR BABAJACK SEGER + JAMES GRAY

What a great festival...Looking forward to some more good time blues next Sunday at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton with Emma Wilson

Soon come.

tickets for our 2024 programme are now available KEEP | MUSIC | LIVE

This from our Dec 2 gig at Claypath Deli - I swear Abbie Finn changes sticks without missing a beat.

Blues in the Bar | The Georgian Theatre | Stockton | This Sunday 3pm

As Cerys Matthews says this Sunday at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton its Blues in the Bar with the brilliant Deep Six Blues + Lee Maddison. 3pm start. #keepmusiclive #bluesbar #blues #thegeorgian #stockton

Lee will be playing a set at 3pm ahead of headliners Deep Six Blues

Blues. Stockton-On-Tees. 3pm Sunday December 3rd #bluesmusic #blues #altblues #livemusic #bluesguitar #guitar #guitarist #blues #bluesband #liveblues #bluesmusician #bluessinger #bluesharp #livebluesmusic #slideguitar #teesside #middlesbrough #northeast #stocktonontees #yarm #hartlepool #darlington #stockton #thornaby #boro #teesvalley #billingham #thegeorgian #supportyourscene

Thanks to everyone who has bought tickets for BLUES IN THE BAR - TOM WAITS FOR NO MAN + MARINA JOSEPHINA it's now SOLD OUT.

Delighted to announce that Maius Mollis will be with us on Saturday 21st Oct. ‘One of the finest singer/songwriters in the region’ - The Crack ‘Maius Mollis is a great songwriter and it’s exciting to anticipate where she goes from here’ - NARC. Magazine

Cerys says….

#keepmusiclive #durham

Apologies to those who have bought tickets for BLUES IN THE BAR featuring DEEP SIX BLUES + LEE MADDISON

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Our Story

DownByTheRiver is a not-for-profit event based in Durham City operating for the benefit of musicians and their audience All generated income goes directly to the artists.

Tell us about DownByTheRiver, what it is and what does it hope to achieve?

I’ve been involved in grass-roots music promotion on and off now for 25 years. In the mid-nineties I started and ran a gig/label/artist management imprint called Zambra which was based in London, it was quite successful on an underground level but as often is the case these things have a certain shelf life. High points were live sessions on Radio 1, a VH1/MTV live set and sold out gigs at the iconic 12 Bar Club which at the time was located on Denmark Street, W1 or ‘Tin Pan Alley’ as it is better known.

What I’m doing now with DBTR mirrors Zambra in many ways, in as much as it is rooted in DIY culture and ran ethically. It is mainly gig promotion I do now but I have been involved in a couple of recording projects recently – a good friend of mine (Dr Bone) owns The Washoose Studio in Lanark, Scotland and worked with the late-great John Martyn on a couple of his later albums, so he’s my go-to guy as far as recording goes.

In terms of what I want to achieve, it’s pretty simple really. I want to help build the live music scene in Durham, make sure musicians get paid for what they do and give up and coming local artists a listening and supportive environment in which to develop their musicianship. I always insist the audience give the musicians the ‘gift of their full attention’. It seems to have worked because my audience are serious about music and do listen. Musicians appreciate that and always seem to go away with a good feeling which is not always the case, especially in pub gigs.

A question I’m often asked is ‘Why do you do this’? Followed by ‘you are crazy, you are working for nothing’. My answer is this – Musicians changed my life. I had my eyes opened by people like John Lennon, Bob Marley, Joe Strummer and Neil Young and have had so much pleasure listening to, watching and working with musicians, this is my way of re-dressing the balance.

I also read this - written by a guy called Alex Wilson, who describes himself as a mediator, touring musician, hobby philosopher and beard enthusiast. His words really hit home and convinced me that running DownByTheRiver as a not for profit gig is the right thing to do.

Alex said….’I had a conversation backstage recently with a fellow musician about what has been dubbed 'the beans on toast lifestyle'. Basically it involves scrimping and saving 24/7 to stay afloat when your income is severely limited by barely-profitable giging and the costs of running a band, which is essentially a small business. The story everyone already knows about musicians is that they are trading stability for authenticity. What I think is more interesting are the details of how it plays out in reality.

The positive aspects of this lifestyle are not often spoken about, since they get a little metaphysical. But since I started my 'career' as a touring musician in early 2012, I've had the opportunity to travel to over 20 countries, playing my own music to wonderful, happy people from all cultures and all walks of life. Real connections with others are forged - briefly, but powerfully. It's hard to overstate how much of a joyful experience this can be and I'm always looking forward to the next gig, anticipating whatever new experiences might lie ahead.

It also feels like an authentic life, insofar that you are giving pride of place to your creative tendencies, which for most serious musicians is their life-skill, the one thing that they are clearly best at. Being able to forge a space in the world for this, and a space that has the potential to enhance the lives of others in small ways, is a profound experience that permeates one's overall outlook.

The troublesome reality, however, is that the numbers game of the industry means the vast majority of musicians will never earn what most people would consider a reasonable income. Musicians, knowing the odds, do their best to press ahead through the stress and exhaustion of balancing day jobs and band commitments, seeing the financial and social stability that their friends are settling into as a speck on the horizon to try for at some later date.

When I started out I optimistically believed that I could safely balance music with a largely austere life of renting, frugal eating, minimal (non-musical) possessions and negligible disposable income. This view was buttressed by the novelty of touring and the excitement of so many wonderful experiences. As the years passed, I've realised that the contentment that comes from touring is more temporary then I thought and, as it wanes, the feeling that you need to consolidate other parts of your life gets more pressing.

I don't think I'm very different from most musicians in this way - we can experience wonderful things but with a sense that our musical lives exist on borrowed time. We never know exactly when we will get off the ride, but we know there is a final stop somewhere on the road and that there is a significant remainder of our lives to come after that. It can be heart-breaking to realize that your greatest skill cannot be the major vocation of your entire life - a heartbreak that those with a passion for a trade, a science, law or business will not need to grapple with.

That said, let it be known that the majority of musos I've dealt with have a healthily perspective on their struggles to balance matters artistic and financial. The contradiction is a reality that they all live, but they are grateful for what they are able to experience even if they can't achieve the full extent of their dreams’.

How are musicians/artists chosen?

I go out to loads of live music events so I’m always on the look-out. I read the local music press too and do research on line. It has to be something I’m into and a lot of care goes into my programming. I think the audience appreciate that and they know pretty much I try and promote good quality music even if some of the musicians I promote are relatively unknown. I’m quite eclectic in my taste so there is no hard and fast rule. Over the last few years I have featured everything from gypsy jazz to cutting-edge electronica to blues, folk and Americana.

Why Durham? And how were the venues chosen?

I’m a County Durham native so really it seemed logical to put gigs on in our beautiful city, plus there didn’t seem to be that much happening in terms of the music I was into. It started at The Peoples Bookshop. In 2014 I put on a series of gigs by protest singers under the banner of ‘Club Resistance’. It was a success but I felt a bit constrained by the political nature of the gigs and wanted to do something that was not political at all. So I launched DBTR at Empty Shop in Durham in 2016. I have put shows on at The Mining Institute and The Cluny in Newcastle and The Georgian Theatre in Stockton but Durham is definitely home territory.

The venues were chosen because the people who run them bought into my ethical policy. For example, the guys who own the Claypath Delicatessen are music lovers themselves so they enjoy the gigs and take a few quid in drinks and food sales so everyone is happy and working to the same end – building the Durham music scene, encouraging the arts and getting a buzz from putting on something genuinely ethical. Our audience know that when they buy a ticket or pay at the door they are directly supporting the musicians so though it means a lot of work and effort to bring things together it’s definitely worth it in terms of growing something organically.

https://linktr.ee/downbytheriver9