Five-piece Northern Citizens are returning to a South Yorkshire pub where they took to the stage to perform their first gig.
The band will play at the Sitwell Arms near Eckington this Friday, the same venue where the rock band kicked off their road to success.
With festival season approaching and live music performances picking up, Northern Citizens’ lead singer Michael Sellers talks about the importance of keeping the live music scene alive.
Michael Sellers, 39, singer for the band said: ”When I first started performing there were more DJs becoming popular, but I feel there has been a switch back and more demand for actual bands and a lot of venues being more live music specific.’’
The band, alongside commercial gigs, often perform around pubs in Sheffield for free making it inclusive for all.
Mr Sellers added: ”Not everyone can afford tickets to see bands on the radio which are pretty expensive, so it’s massively important to allow everyone the opportunity to experience decent standard musicianship and live music.
‘’People have a lot on their plates at the minute, if you can have a couple of hours of escapism listening to a band with your friends and family, it does people the world of good at the same time.’’
Daniel Cook, 45, fan of Northern Citizens, said: ‘‘Being able to listen and experience live music is great. I always try and support the band where I can as the feeling you get from enjoying the music first hand is something a DJ or listening to a CD cannot match.
‘’I feel it’s also something that always brings people together, you are all there for the same reasons, to have a good time and appreciate the performance.’’
Mr Sellers explained his personal preference of live music and the admiration he has for people who take the time to play instruments.
He said: ‘‘I appreciate anyone who has spent the time, effort and years of learning to play an instrument to be competent enough to keep a room engaged for two hours, it is not an easy thing.
‘’I think it’s important for newer generations, even though we play older stuff; you see kids in the crowd taking it all in and if we are going to keep funnelling kids into music which is going to be a lifelong beneficial thing, they need to be able to see it.’’