Once home to legendary performances by Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, Suffolk's music scene has weathered decades of decline. Now, a new generation of artists and promoters are breathing life back into the county's cultural landscape.
It seems unjust to reflect on the time when Suffolk's live music scene thrived with vibrancy and creativity.
Notable performances included Jimi Hendrix, who graced Ipswich's Gaumont with two sets in 1967, and Led Zeppelin, whose concert at St. Matthew's Baths Hall in November 1971 took place just days after the release of their iconic fourth album.
The early 1990s further showcased this rich musical heritage, with legends such as Tina Turner and Blur captivating audiences at Portman Road stadium.
Since that golden era, however, the arts and music sectors have regrettably experienced a significant decline, profoundly impacting Suffolk's youth.
This diminishing landscape has stifled opportunities for aspiring artists and deprived young people of the cultural enrichment and community engagement that live music fosters.
This begs the question: What's this tied to? Shop closures? The diminishment of smaller towns and bigger cities taking the lead with the arts? A lack of communal spaces for event news to travel?
The answer: This and more.
Over the past twenty years, the Arts Funding cuts have deeply impacted this; since 2017, the UK Arts Council has seen a 16% reduction in funding, leading to decreased access to arts education and the sidelining of events and venues.
A band's perspective
Plymouth-based Foreign Voices and Suffolk-based Suns of Icarus, who recently performed at The Smokehouse, shared their insights on the impact of funding cuts on the music scene.
Suns of Icarus
Suns of Icarus explained that their band started as friends coming to gigs: "That was our only audience. Word of mouth is so important in small towns, and often works better than in larger cities."
I asked about the opportunities bands from small towns have over those from cities, and they agreed that the sense of community was the most significant factor.
"Venues are easier to book, and the venues are actually great. Lots of people go to the pub in smaller towns like within Suffolk because there's nothing else to do, which actually works in our favour because we get walk-ins."
I gained a general understanding of how, in some aspects, it's easier to connect with people as a musician in Suffolk. In larger places, people don't have "a lot of time for people unless they really like you or you pay them a lot of money. Here, everyone has time for everyone."
Foreign Voices
Foreign Voices gave me a different insight, shouting out the Smokehouse for its impressively professional setup compared to other small towns.
If you weren't aware, The Smokehouse is one of three music venues in Ipswich overseen by Brighten the Corners, a not-for-profit organisation set up by the Out Loud Music CIC team. They run a diverse live music programme, training and education opportunities across three venues, and an annual multi-venue festival.
I asked what the biggest challenges were for Foreign Voices' gain of recognition, as they are from a smaller city.
They suggested that when they play away from local venues, for example, Bristol, they rely on the other bands to bring in the crowds, nodding to the "impossibility of reaching new people that aren't from where they were locally based without strong PR."
Social media only goes so far.
On the flip side, reaching people who aren't on social media is incredibly tough. It relies on word of mouth, which also doesn't go far nowadays.
The boys shared their view that the music industry has become "pay-to-win," adding, "We've been tempted to just slip our vinyls into record shops, actually."
They said that a significant advantage of being from smaller towns and cities is that music festivals tend to be in the middle of nowhere, in a field. Plymouth has Boardmasters, and Suffolk has Latitude, for example.
"They often put on local acts in the middle of the day. When you can get into these things, it's great! Those opportunities are probably easier to get in smaller towns."
In the words of Foreign Voices, smaller cities and towns have fewer venues and opportunities and more creatives than ever.
Leading the charge on Ipswich's live music revival
In Suffolk, the spirit of Hendrix and Zeppelin lives on through the efforts of organisations like Brighten the Corners. This not-for-profit team is spearheading the recovery of Ipswich's creative scene alongside other local collectives such as Cognito Events, Thread the Needle, and Bambaata Sessions.
These groups are writing a new chapter in Suffolk's musical history, one that echoes the vibrancy of its past while facing modern challenges head-on. By providing platforms for emerging artists and fostering a sense of community, they ensure that the county's rich musical heritage continues evolving.
As Foreign Voices and Suns of Icarus demonstrate, today's artists are adapting to new realities while holding onto the collaborative spirit that has always defined Suffolk's music community. They're proving that creativity and determination can fuel a cultural renaissance despite funding cuts and changing industry dynamics.
The journey from Hendrix to hope is ongoing, but the signs of revival are clear. With each gig, each festival appearance, and each new collaboration, Suffolk's musicians and promoters are amplifying their voices and rekindling the county's musical flame.
The arts in Ipswich aren't just on the rise—they're reaching new heights. As this new generation of artists and organisers continues to innovate and inspire, one thing is certain: Suffolk's music scene is once again a force to be reckoned with.
Watch out!
