Ipswich Smokehouse Online Festival

An independent Ipswich venue announces a live-streaming all day music festival this week.

11:20 13 July 2020

The Smokehouse, an independent music venue in Ipswich that was supported by loyal supporters amidst the Covid-19 lockdown, has announced a live-streaming all-day music festival this week. 

 

The venue, which closed at the start of the coronavirus lockdown in March, will be hosting a series of socially-distanced gigs and pre-recorded sets on Thursday. The event, dubbed as Lock East Live, will feature bands and artists from East Anglia such as Steve Lamacq-championed Anorak Patch, sludge rock duo Kulk, Ipswich hip hop outfit Soundscape Green, pop performer Amy Milner and pop-punks Underline the Sky. 

 

Smokehouse manager Joe Bailey said that lockdown saw the venue cancel packed schedule of spring and summer gigs. However, more than 300 loyal supporters pledged £12,755 which helped support the team of freelancer bar staff and sound engineers who have been facing financial uncertainties from lockdown. 

 

Mr Bailey said: "To get live music back within the walls of The Smokehouse is fantastic.

 

"We've all missed live music massively and we'll try to do what we can to help promote the talent in our area. 

 

"It will certainly be different for the artists and audience working in the digital domain."