House gigs to live on at new venue

THE owner of an independent live music space threatened with closure has revealed he will open a new venture.

Douglas Robertson said he would set up an organisation to oversee the launch of Sound House – a centre dedicated to live music with all proceeds going to performers.

Mr Robertson has organised hundreds of gigs at his home – a ground-floor converted shop in Abbeyhill – but last week the Evening News revealed they could be axed by licensing chiefs after complaints from neighbours.

The freelance photographer also slammed the “dead hand” of the council on Edinburgh’s music scene, which has seen major venues, including the Venue and Roxy Art House, close in recent years.

Mr Robertson said: “We are on the cusp of setting up an organisation to launch a new centre for live music in Scotland – the Sound House. You can be sure that it will have the best sound, the best lighting, and offer the best live music experience on the planet.”

I won’t be silenced – 
Page 14