So Long Princess

Which sounds like some sort of bad Eastenders line before the DUh DUh DUHDUHDUDHDIUDHDA! Bit (err maybe not)

Anyway on somewhat of a sad note it appears that the Princess Charlotte in Leicester is in immanent danger of closing within the next few weeks, well that's according to the Leicester Mercury it is (A paper once summed up by a friend as somewhere you would expect to see the headline "Man trips on Pavement!") Anyway the Charlotte has over the years been host to the start of many big careers from Pulp, Blur, Oasis, Suade, Zutons and err yeah babyshambles; I've seen Clinic without masks, Six by seven far too many times there, found that despite the shouting Mclusky were extremely nice gentlemen indeed oh and I've argued with a friend that while the Killers were all right they would never make it as big as Stellerstar their support group (Yeah history's already foiled this one CURSE YOU HISTORY!!)

Obviously the recent financial problems have been blamed (making probably the first of about one hundred time the credit crunch will be blamed for something, its also responsible for no tea from Whitards. no sofas from MFI and me losing a sock I wanted to wear today). But really the Charlotte hasn't had a great bill for a long time with bigger bands heading for Nottingham and Birmingham, well apart from The Arcade fire that is, and having a bill made up of tribute acts isn't going to drag people in. The place could also do with a big cleanup and renovation because whilst its kind of a novelty when the ceiling drips during a particularly frenzied gig its not that comforting when you suspect the toilet is directly above your head.

Of course the Charlotte also isnt Leicesters only live venue there still The Shed, De Montofort hall, The Musician, The Firebug, The great magic Teapot is still puting on gigs throughout so live music will continue.

But its still a shame not only as its often live that a band who might be somewhat stunted on record really becomes errr alive but also that the Charlotte offers a unique venue that's been a part of the culture of Leicester for decades, just be careful where you stand.

Slow breaking news! (about a day late) apparently Kasabian (The most famous band from Leicester since Englebert Humperdink and hey that's not a bad thing) Have said they might be looking towards saving the Charlotte; well the front page article is rather vague it kind of suggests that they would be interested but not that they actually are doing anything not that I'm suggesting that the Leicester Mercury would be putting them on the cover just to shift papers oh no....

Oh and to remember happier days here's Blur playing live in I think 1990 sporting terrible haircuts all round whilst doing that early nineties head on a stick swirling dance thing that was oh so popular oh and Alex clearly having delusions of grandeur attempting to take the central lead singer spot at about 1:20.