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Show Must Go On After The Rec Rooms Shuts Its Doors

Despite the closure of The Rec Rooms, there are still outlets for fans of original live music in Horsham.

Revelations at The Rec was launched last year, giving local acts the chance to perform with professional sound equipment to a good-sized crowd. Now the organisers have been forced to look elsewhere, with March’s event held at The Roffey Club, with a new name.

New Music Revelations is organised by Stephen Marshall, frontman of rock group The Absolute Loves. Stephen said: ‘Before the pandemic, The Rec Rooms hosted gigs that supported the local scene, but lockdown had a huge impact on the venue and we’ve seen the result of that.’

‘There are great people like Jamie Stanley (aka Mailman), who support live music in Horsham and provide opportunities to play. That’s a really good thing, but the quality can vary. You might see a talented act or a bad one playing their first gig. My idea was to fill the space in-between, bringing in bands that have progressed beyond open mic nights, yet don’t have the following to headline a venue as big as The Rec Rooms.’

‘I presented the idea initially to The Rec’s management and they loved it. If we brought together three bands and each attracted 20 people, then you would have a crowd. The idea was to bring in bands that complement one another, so fans of one might enjoy others on the same bill.’