大象传媒

For those of us who are musically obsessed and love nothing better than following our favourite bands on tour. Even just the enjoyment of the great atmosphere of being at a gig. You will be glad to know that those long journeys to big city venues have come to an end. It is all happening right here in York!

Four Day Hombre are listed to play

The Duchess is bringing a hot new music scene to North Yorkshire, being the only place to hold the perfectly snug, yet spacious capacity of over 400 people. The venue hopes to become a conventional preference for mainstream artists. It will be competing on the same lines as popular locations in places such as Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham.

Rock on!

I went along to have a chat to the organiser and manager, Tim Hornsby.

"It's somewhere bigger and better. The city isn't well served for large venues and this just seemed the answer. It will mean we can bring huge acts that wouldn't normally be able to squeeze into the smaller venues in York so far. We can really start to make the venue expand, sing and do well."

The aim is to branch out of being a small, local site and encourage invitations for bigger bands in a bigger, more eccentric venue. Since the grand opening in July, the venue has already been a playground for acts such as the 'acid house country band', 'Alabama 3' and 90s indie champs, 'Shed Seven'.

Alabama 3

What to look forward to

The future of The Duchess is already looking bright with many exciting bands on the line up. 'We are Scientists', 'Longview' and 'The Warlocks' are already on the cards. The range of music is going to be so diverse that anyone and everyone can find something to come along to.

Tim Hornsby said: We have lots of plans to bring different things in: such as late night events, and at some point serve food."

It鈥檚 all the exhilarating action of seeing an amazingly successful band live, with the intimacy of a good sized venue to dance the night away. The effect will be just electrifying.

Nadia Emam