Venue Spotlight: The Engine Shed, Lincoln
This week, we find out more about The Engine Shed, Lincoln.
We spoke to Live Music Booker, Tom Kitchen, who tells us all about the venue's incredible history, the wide range of events that they host, and having to evolve in an ever-changing environment.
See full listings for The Engine Shed here.
Venue details:
- The Engine Shed, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS
- Established: 2006
- Capacity: See below.
Tell us a little about the venue and your role there.
The venue is called The Engine Shed, and we are located in the awesome City of Lincoln. Our venue is very versatile, therefore, our capacities are varied. They (standing capacities) look like this:
1,800 - Main room with balcony
700 - Half Hall (Main Room)
300 - The Platform (Second Room)
We can facilitate for seating shows with 825, 300, and 165 being our respective seated caps.
As for my role, my main day to day is live music booking, overseeing shows, and generally assisting in a variety of events and entertainment capacities.
Has the venue gone through any major changes since it opened (location, renovation, style of music etc)?
From what I am aware, none. There has been a few minor changes to the aesthetic detailing, branding, quantity of dressing rooms etc., but nothing major. It was built for functionality and still operates that way.
Half Hall (Main Room)
How many gigs or club nights a week do you host?
This is really dependent on the time of the year. Summer for us is quite quiet. All the students have gone home and festival season dramatically reduces touring schedules, therefore, we run an intermittent events programme. However, as soon as Fresher's week kicks in, it is all guns blazing with some weeks hosting up to three club nights and seven events, including comedy and live music.
Which band that's played your venue has gone on to be the best known?
Hundreds of acts have passed through the venue doors, so it is really hard to say.
Which band that played your venue deserved/deserves to be better known than they are?
Again so hard to answer. There have been large quantities of genuinely amazing acts that have come through our doors who have unfortunately seen little to no success. It's a shame.
Do you host events besides gigs and club nights?
Yes. We host regular comedy evenings ranging from the likes of Sarah Millican and Joe Lycett, to Adam Rowe and Paul Foot. We also host food and drink festivals, gala dinners, private parties, conferences, award ceremonies, exhibitions, vintage fayres, conventions and wrestling events.
If you could change one thing about the live music industry, what would it be?
No. It's (hmmmm) all perfect?
The Platform (Second Room)
What's been your proudest moment working at your venue?
I take pride in my work and feel privileged that I work in an industry that I love. There isn't one specific example, but the proudest moments are when you receive emails from the artist and/or members of the touring party, thanking you for the effort that you have put in during their show day.
Has the venue ever been threatened with closure? If so, what could have been done to prevent it/support you?
Every venue has its ups and downs, but this is part of the tempestuous environment that we operate in. Many areas can impact venue operations including changes within the live music and events industries, as well as social, political or economic matters. For instance, trends, consumer culture, and/or noise complaints.
To counter potential impacts, we as a venue have had to react to changes in the sector or the wider society, to ensure that closure does not happen. This has happened through broadening the facility's purpose to include as many events as possible, as well as building a team of dedicated and respected professionals.
What's the best show you've put on recently?
Either Suzanne Vega (26/06/18) or Stiff Little Fingers (29/06/18). Difficult decision, as both are legendary.
Are there any interesting facts/stories about the venue that people might not know, but should?!
There are so many stories, I wouldn't know where to start!
The building was erected in 1874 by Great Western Railways. It had 4 tracks running into the train shed, which now act as fire escapes. Before the building was renovated in 2006, it had been derelict since 1964.
Track The Engine Shed, Lincoln here to keep up to date with all forthcoming events. You can also catch them on their official website, Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.