#savelepub

[kutosis]

#savelepub

[kutosis]

#savelepub

[kutosis]

#savelepub

[kutosis]

We're surfing the waves of the Usk tomorrow. Note the change of stage times than previously suggested.  https://www.facebook.com/events/298508550335573/ Come dance.

Zooport!

[kutosis]

#savelepub

Le Pub is a venue in Newport, South Wales and as with many local venues they need some soundproofing to stay open. As well as seeing many excellent bands there we've also played some shows there ourselves over the years. One of which in our early days was probably the most drunk performance an audience has had the fortune/miss fortune (delete as appropriate) of witnessing.

We're returning to Le Pub on the 17th October with Samoans, Mimas and Dad Rocks as part of the #savelepub campaign, preview HERE.

There's just a few days left of fundraising, so please go spend some money on beer glasses, gig tickets and whatever else is left HERE.

[lepubisforlovers]

I can't believe we are having to go through this again. It is so unfair that yet again Le pub is under threat of closure. It is beyond belief that a pub that has been in its location for over 20 years is threatened with closure, just because of some awkward local residents. Le pub has aways been in Caxton place so why is the council allowing it to be under threat again. Growing up as a teenager in Newport, I started going out into town on the weekends and realised that the wetherspoons-type places weren't for me or any of my friends. After we bought tickets for one of their gigs we found that Le pub was somewhere where we could spend every weekend enjoying our favourite music, watching local and upcoming bands in our own pub. That is how all the regulars feel about it, it is OUR pub and it's always going to be special to us. It's always been a haven for regulars and new faces (like I once was) who wanted somewhere safe, fun and secure away from the awful pubs Newport had to offer and most importantly for us to enjoy good music. Le pub has always been run by staff who look after their regulars, there is never any trouble because the same crowd visits every weekend, knowing that the staff look after their customers so well. Sam Dabb has been a well-known presence behind the bar for the whole time I've been coming to the pub and as manager she has shown a passionate belief in the welsh music scene. Without her dedication, Newport would not have had some of the greatest gigs that I have ever been to nor would any bands love the venue and insist on playing there every time they tour. I've spoken to many bands over the years who appreciate how Sam and her staff take care of them and love the atmosphere and appreciation that the crowds in Le pub show them. Le pub cares about promoting bands and has kept Newport on the map as a location for tours for the last 20 years. Without it as a venue Newport's music scene would have died a long time ago. Now, at the ripe old age of 33 I still go to Le pub every weekend because it's my favourite place to go. I've spent the best times in there and will always feel like it's the perfect place to go out in Newport. As a teacher, I often hear parents slating Newport, hating the idea of their teenagers going out in the evening because they have a bad impression of our city centre. I always tell them about Le pub as a safe place to go, where their teenagers can watch gigs and they can feel reassured that there is somewhere to go in Newport that will take care of them and allow them to enjoy their love of great music. It would be a real tragedy if Le pub was closed down and the next generation couldn't fall in love with the place, as I did all those years ago.   --  Jo Morgan

[lepubisforlovers]

I literally grew up at Le Pub. Every Thursday morning of my summer holidays was spent waiting downstairs for my mum to get the delivery in. I don't know if you've ever noticed the height of the tills, but I once ran into it, and the corner of the drawer cut the top of my head. Between moving house, moving schools and generally just growing up, the presence of Le Pub in my life has always been a constant. Some of the best gigs of my life have been there, and it's where I discovered, my now favorite band, Larry and His Flask. The staff are like family, in some cases literally, and are some of my favorite people in the world. Now, as I'm old enough to truly enjoy Le Pub for what it is (a pub!!) I know that I will never find anywhere I love as much. As I'm starting to explore venues and pubs, I find myself comparing everywhere to Le Pub. I'm yet to find anywhere that is so friendly, or with the same atmosphere. 

But now I have to leave. With university dawning, Le Pub can no longer be my weekly hang out. I'm so excited to go and explore a new city, make new friends and find somewhere almost as great to hang out. But the thought of leaving behind a Le Pub-less Newport is something I refuse to think about. 

Le Pub is a home and a family, and now it needs us to be there for it, like it's always been there for us. 

Kristy.

Occasional staff member, full time daughter. 

X

[lepubisforlovers]

I have gone to Le Pub over the past 10 years or so in various capacities.... As a punter... I have seen some of the greatest performances by some of the worlds fantastic acts over the past few years. These have ranged from... International bands: Great Lake Swimmers (who used the video footage I took at the Le Pub gig as promotional material on their Website), The Long Winters, Dolly Varden, Centro-Matic, Jon Langford UK bands:              The Rockingbirds, Thee Faction, James Warbourne, Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra, Welsh artists:         Paper Aeroplanes, Lone Pine, Redlands Palomino Company, The Ash & The Oak (who I subsequently released CDs by on Country Mile Records) 

 In addition to the excellent live music Le Pub, the bar is stocked with interesting beers and the bar staff are always friendly. I am yet to take anyone there who hasn't come away having had a great night out... As a band member... Whenever I have played the venue with my band (The Grief Brothers) the people at Le Pub have always been great. No matter how low down the bill the band appeared, we have been treated equally to the headliner. There is a genuine feeling of community at the venue and everyone looks out for each other. Any technical issues were dealt with straight away and bands sharing equipment if necessary. As a promoter... I have put on a number of live music events at Le Pub over the years. Sam has always been extremely helpful and accommodating while Matt has worked wonders on the PA sound. Bands like to play at Le Pub and it has deservedly gained a reputation as a "good gig" so it is never difficult persuading a band to join the bill for a night there.

In Summary... Newport is known internationally for its music scene and since the loss of TJs, Le Pub has become the premier venue for live music in the city. Nowhere else actively encourages up-and-coming bands to play live (and eschews the cover groups that make easy money in every pub across the UK). The Council should be encouraging the fantastic work of Le Pub rather than wasting money persecuting the owners for trying to do something positive in an all-too desolate city centre.

- Ray, Country Mile Records