01/02/2018
Dear Friends,
it is with a heavy heart we must face up to some pretty awful truths and realities and share with you some sad news.
CYM has been going now as indie promoters in one fashion or another for nearly 15 years. Initially started as a way and means of promoting the bands we played in, then gathering steam and working with some of the best musicians and acts up and down this country.
From there we started to make friends with acts and bands from Europe, America, and many other places besides - and always with the aim of promoting music and the community scene in the best, safest and most exciting ways possible.
We have worked with some truly exceptional people, sound-guys, fellow promoters, venue managers and booking agents - not to mention bar men and women, doormen, coat boys and girls and ticket collectors - always providing top quality events, in affordable and exciting ways.
We have loved every gig we have put on, and always strived to make it about one scene and one community = never about money, profit or advancing our own egos...
Sadly - the world has moved on in new and confusing ways, and the business of promoting a gig in a small town without a dedicated venue - without an in-built PA, without a big bank balance or backer to bankroll the events has proven to be harder and harder and, finally, CYM have had to face the fact of the matter face to face.
It is then - with a heavy heart - that I have to announce that the CYM Presents and CYM Rock & Metal showcase evenings will be cancelled for the foreseeable future.
The truth of the matter is this - £5 a head does not cover costs any more - Bands DESERVE to be paid their worth, and we cannot survive any longer expecting nor perpetuating the charity and favours we have long enjoyed.
We cannot keep up with the rising costs of security, room hire, travel costs, sound guy expenses and all other expenses - at the cost of expecting bands and soundguys and PA hires to play or contribute toward shows for scraps, and we cannot keep running shows on hope and faith alone.
If 30 people do not show up, we do not cover costs.
If 50 people do not show up, we cannot pay our bands.
If we have to keep asking for people to provide time and services for nothing more than thank you and a handshake, we are doing potentially more damage to the scene than good - and we cannot allow, nor do we want, to keep pushing the luck or status quo we have struggled to maintain.
The last two gigs we put on were hard in different ways due to stresses and demands placed on the whole team who help us run these nights... and sadly... after much reflection CYM have decided that we need to take a break, regroup and look at how we can do better and work toward improving the situation, rather than ignoring the problems we have faced.
This is not a GOODBYE, it's a "just give us a moment..." - Our weekly ACOUSTHEQUE sessions at the Stratford Picturehouse will be unaffected and will continue every week, and we will be putting on some one -offs and helping wherever are able and however we can when needed.
It has been an absolute privilege and a pure, unrelenting joy to work with so many amazing, exceptional people over the last 15 years - and i cannot begin to thank people enough.
I will soon be taking a break from Stratford and moving a little further afield, and hopefully with a bit of a rest and reflection, i can come back with CYM and once again put on the very best, very special rock showcases and metal nights again for you all... For now... We thank you, all, for your patronage, support and love over the 200+ gigs we have put on, and ask you please support local music and keep attending every show you can... It's becoming harder and harder to create good art, and these brilliant humans deserve every ounce and second of your time, support and love.
God knows without it, we would never have survived as long as we have.
Thank you unconditionally to my brothers in arms who have helped me make CYM what it was - Jonn Hughes, Jon Opie Pitcher, Thomas William, Ben Michael Holdstock, Alex Calvert-Caithness, Paul HugJunkie Waters, Mike Brownstone, Toby Ollis-Brownstone, Callum Wachowski, Ed White, Mike McGreal, Charlie Terryfold Stanley, James Minty Turvey, Max Messenger, Dennis Cook, Tom Hall, Gareth Chamberlain, Pip Ellis-Burley, Vikki Fox, Geoff J A Alun-Jones, Stephen Steinhaus, Dan Kiener and anyone else who ever worked a door, ripped a ticket, stood up for us and proudly shouted back at me when i screamed "IF WE MUST BE CENSORED... WE WILL CENSOR OURSELVES."
I love you and CYM Loves you,
Thank you for being brilliant and hopefully see you all soon.
Andi
CYM
01.02.2018
