A NEW music venue has launched in Warrington which aims to give more opportunities and a better deal to artists.

The Taps Bar has opened in Church Street and a number of the town’s grassroots musicians like Kye Jones and Greg Dixon, from Psyblings, have already got involved.

The intimate venue, with a capacity for around 100 people, is open from Thursday to Sunday.

There is an open mic night on Fridays from 7pm and a ‘live lounge’ on Saturdays from 7pm where selected bands and artists are invited back in return for a cut of the bar takings.

Stockton Heath resident Gareth Hide, who runs the bar, said: “We’re specialising in live music so if somebody is unsigned and they want to showcase themselves there is a platform for them.

“If they want to live stream their set on Facebook we’re set up for that as well.

“The feedback I’ve had about the vibe and atmosphere has been really good.

“I’ve got contacts in the music industry in Liverpool as well so if I think a band or an artist is really good and they’ve got something I can help them take things further.”

Gareth also said that he is happy to chat to songwriters about the things that help them climb the music industry ladder like managers, booking agents, social media presence and press packs.

The 32-year-old added: “It’s important that artists have access to be able to perform in front of a live audience.

“It’s important that they get back something for the music they are producing as well.

“There are a lot of agents out there that will take a lot of money from the artists for the music they’ve created which I think is bonkers. They need to be getting back what they deserve.

“One of the things I’ve come up with for the paid gigs is the artists get 20 per cent of the bar takings so if the bar makes £3,000 they’ve got £600 there.

“That will help with studio time and marketing and things like that.

“We’re building up to it at the moment as we get to know more and more artists.”

Gareth, who grew up listening to the Beatles and Frank Sinatra in Newton, is a guitarist himself but says he prefers to help others these days.

He said: “On my 18th birthday my mum bought me 10 lessons and I’d recommend that to anyone. If you have 10 lessons and a decent tutor you’ll have a decent understanding of how to play the guitar and will be able to do the rest yourself.

“I love music and write my own songs. A few years ago I was keen on getting up on stage and doing this sort of thing myself.

“But I want to help other people do it now. I’ve got a good ear for music and there is a lot of talent in Warrington. Some of the music they are coming up with is just unbelievable.

“I’ve spoken to Greg Dixon, from Psyblings, who has been really keen to get involved. We’ve also got a drummer and a bassist who have been jamming together for quite some time and then when you chuck Kye Jones in the middle of them the atmosphere is electric.

“There seems to be people jumping on the train to Manchester and Liverpool every weekend and I want to give them a reason to stay in Warrington.”

DAVID MORGAN