live music

Have you thought of learning a musical instrument? When my teenage daughter gave up playing her saxaphone I decided to learn, had some lessons but very quickly decided to join a band to keep me at it. Am still in a couple of bands 30 years later. Play classical and jazz , lovely way to meet nice people and enjoy music. Most areas have a lot of amateur groups.

Oh I wish I had known that we have just had a 3 day Folk and Boat festival here in East Cheshire- they have one every year. I think there are others around the countryside connected to the canal system. Apart from that pubs seem to be the best place to go for live music of all kinds have you thought of inviting someone from one of your other groups to go along with you?

Thank you @Saxifrage - I can play the piano but its quite solitary. Starting a new instrument sounds a good idea. The saxophone fits in with the type of music I enjoy, how long had you been learning when you felt confident enough to join a band?

Many classical orchestras and other cultural activities have 'Friends' groups, you could join these and they usually have social activities.

There is certainly nothing to stop you buying tickets and going along to events. When I was young and single I had a season ticket to the Proms one year, even though I went on my own, once I was in the arena or gallery at the Royal Albert Hall, all of us prommers used to chat to each other.

The north (presumably meaning the north of England) is quite a big area.

Swaledale Festival (finished this year) is always great, and has opportunities to get more involved through volunteering www.swalefest.org/Support/Volunteer

Sage Gateshead has lots of learning and music making opportunities, as well as their shows sagegateshead.com/make-music/

There are Rock Choirs everywhere, I have friends who go and love it rockchoir.com/

Have you looked out for music 'sessions' locally? These are generally 'folk' musicians, meeting in a pub on a regular basis. They usually involve singalong choruses to songs most people know and musicians/singers are welcome to join in (a good way of meeting folk and making friends). I live in the South of the country and go to a few sessions a month, there's bound to be something where you live.

I was going to suggest what bohemian said - look out for local gigs in smaller venues. They are cheaper and some non-professionnel groups are really good.

Thank you all for your ideas, all which are fab and I will look at. Yes, @Siope I meant anywhere in England north of Preston really. I would travel anywhere in that area for something that took my fancy, would have a night away as I am aiming to do that on my own too. I love live music in pubs but it’s a case of getting to know about them

In that case, I can offer some more:

Hebden Bridge Trades Club is great, and the Calder Valley is lovely for a visit thetradesclub.com/

Kendal Calling www.kendalcalling.co.uk/

Barlick Music and Arts Centre www.barnoldswickmusicandartscentre.com/

@Siope thank you they sound lovely. I often visit near Kendal, had seen something about Kendal Calling by following something else on Instagram

@Siope Thankyou, Barnoldswick and the Trades Club look just my cup of tea

You’re welcome.

If you like folk music, the ideas above are great. Also try googling things like folk festivals (many are small & quite accessible). Also look up a few favourite artists, see if they have gigs near you - I find you only have to sign up or go to one or two things and you'll start finding other stuff. Folk artists tend to be relatively cheap and play small venues.
One of our favourite small venues (I know others do this|) has a 'volunteer steward' programme. So you get a few freebies, but also get to mix with like-minded people, see publicity from other venues - and you're on your way!
We only ever go to small gigs at local venues, much better value than big events.

Thank you Nannarose, that sounds good and small gigs feel better to go to alone

I missed this thread first time round. Berwick has a music festival: I think it’s in the autumn. Fairport Convention were playing there at The Maltings last year and we saw Feast of Fiddles there a few years ago. Can I recommend a podcast called Folk on Foot. There was an interview with Sandra Kerr and Nancy at their home in Warkworth recently and The Unthanks do folk workshops near to Seahouses.

Why not take a trip to Whitby Festival- not very North but I know two single women who go every year. One takes a cottage but the other stays in a B&B because she meets like-minfmded friendly people there.

There is masses of live music where I live, but a lot of it is advertised on Facebook as it's free and small sessions/events can't afford to pay to publicise things.

I'm not in the North, but think it will be similar. Look for the FB pages of local pubs, music groups, even churches and I'm sure you will find local events if you 'like' the pages or 'join' the groups.

Once you've tested the water, in my experience things will snowball, and you will have a good source of local free (or cheap) music events.