The Smokehouse: 2022 Review
Photo by Rue Hackett
As we see out 2022, our team here at The Smokehouse would like to take the opportunity to reflect and thank everyone who has been a part of the journey - the staff, the artists, the volunteers, the punters, the promoters - we’re proud of our DIY sensibility and being able to work with so many brilliant people who make The Smokehouse what it is.
2022 was a momentous year for us, with announcing our festival rebrand - Brighten The Corners, newly formed Sounds East CIC taking over the growing live-music output of Out Loud Music CIC, St Stephens Church closing for renovations that will transform it into a fully equipped music venue and cafe bar, and a vast amount of gigs at The Smokehouse with varying genres, both DIY and SHP.
While this is an exciting time to look forward to what 2023 holds for us, we also want to take the time to reflect on how brilliant 2022 was, in the words of our staff and volunteers. We’ve asked for their favourite moments of the year and thought this would be the perfect way to sum up how great it’s been!
Director of The Smokehouse Joe Bailey’s favourite moment was the belated reopening party. “We were totally stressed at 12 noon due to the band pulling out with covid, however an hour later we had booked 7 times world snooker champion Steve Davis to DJ the event. It was such a lovely evening. Wood fired pizza and cocktails out the front and an evening of electric prog, metal, 80's, electronic and dance music from the vaults of Steve Davis. Bloody magical.”
Marcus Neal, Programmer at The Smokehouse said his favourite moment was the unique ambient-folk octet caroline at The Baths. “Pin drop quiet acapella passages into fiddle and guitar wig outs. Plenty of goosebump moments, with the band performing in the round before leading the audience upstairs for the encore to take advantage of the high ceiling acoustics.”
Also, “the first two Smoke Signals gigs were also really special. Musically diverse line-ups with really creative young artists in front of super supportive audiences. Goes to show how much high quality live music is being made in the region.”
Photo by Rue Hackett
Marketing manager and Head of Volunteers Caitlin Whittaker says that “being in the crowd for Children Of Zeus at The Baths” was particularly special. “Everyone was having such a good time and it was a buzzing atmosphere, so much so that COZ’s Konny Kon commented on how rowdy (in a good way) the crowd was, and then said ‘it’s like you’ve been deprived of this for a long time’ - which I think totally summed it all up for me! Ipswich crowds are the best because we’re all so giddy and excited things are finally happening.”
Volunteer Alfie says his favourite moments have to be “going upstairs for the Caroline gig, the amazing combo of Bag Of Cans and Joe & The Shitboys and of course that Steve Davis gig. Also seeing Tyler Cryde as a support was surreal for sure.”
Volunteer Paul loved Flip Top Head at The Smokehouse during Squash Blossom Festival, that was put on by our own Caitlin and Jamie. “One of the band said I had a good moustache but this did not sway my review.” Also amongst his favourites were Porridge Radio at the Baths. “One song with a lyric like 'I don't want to get bitter/I want us to be kinder to ourselves and each other' was lovely; it went on for ages but was still not long enough.”
Photo by Rue Hackett
In-house Sound Engineer Gareth Patch says that “off the top of my head my favourite was probably Kelley Stoltz. He had such a tight band and some great songwriting.”
2023 holds an array of exciting new ventures for us, such as the first edition of our independently run multi-venue festival Brighten The Corners (formerly Sound City Ipswich), the grand opening of St Stephen’s Church as a music venue and cafe-bar after months of refurbishment, a multitude of brilliant artists playing Ipswich for the first time as part of Brighten The Corners, the return of Independent Venue Week across The Smokehouse and The Baths, and lots more.
The process of putting on a gig is far bigger than what the audience sees and wouldn’t be possible without everybody doing their bit. The DIY and not-for-profit nature of The Smokehouse means that we rely on our ecosystem of volunteers to keep things running smoothly, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the brilliant team we currently have, alongside frequent newcomers which we are always over the moon to welcome.
In no particular order, we’d like to give a big thanks to the sound engineers, the bar staff, the front of house, the stage hands, the lighting engineers, the duty managers, the artist liaisons, the programmers and the promoters, the marketing team, the punters, the musicians, the photographers, the videographers, and general supporters of our venue. We are really excited for what 2023 is going to bring, and can’t wait to share the experience with all of you.