Vinny Spencer addresses the peaceful demonstration over the closure of The Lomax in Liverpool. Photograph used by kind permission of Adrain Wharton. February 2015.

It sometimes depends on which part of the country you go to, which individual you speak to about the people of Liverpool and their passions, to which possible answer you receive. For some less-well informed people the thought of someone from the city protesting is perhaps a way of life, to others they would arguably feel a swell of pride in that one set of people in England fights against injustice with good humour, good voice but with the wonderful undercurrent of installed, controlled emotion and anger that wrongs made against one in the city affect everyone.

For what happens to one, can only surely be the precursor to what can happen to the many and in that the solitary voice that fights against injustice gets raised to louder and ever increasing volumes.

Not all causes reach the ears of those who work and play in the city but the burden of providing the music community a safe place, a well-ordered and non threatening venue in which to take in good live music and in which the artist feels at home is the responsibility of all in Liverpool. From the highest to lowest, to the grand and opulent to the smaller, perhaps less fashionable but never the less just as important, music and its venues are the corner stone to Liverpool’s place as the cultural heart of the U.K.  There will be those that point to a different future, one perhaps in which live music is confined to certain quarters or quaint reminisces or perhaps as a city funded by the ever growing student factor in the city, but for all that, to witness at first-hand the sincerity, the gentleness of expression but with the beating heart of a cornered lion protecting its pride against the AK-47 as fans, punters, music heroes and those learning their craft descended on The Lomax in protest at the closure of one of the iconic venues in the city by heavy handed means, was one in which to realise that fighting for something true should always be the first responsibility of any right-minded human being.

The throng of humanity, the sound of Jay Rehm from Jimmy and the Revolvers playing with gravitas on guitar, the sound of hundreds of voices joining in the peaceful protest, the sight of Liverpool’s burgeoning music community coming together as one, was a testament to the way that The Lomax is seen as being just as important to the city’s future as the multi-million pound industry that the port of Liverpool provides. With the likes of Ian Prowse and Ian McNabb, two verteran statesmen of the Liverpool scene rubbing shoulders with Shannen Bamford, Jo Bywater, Jay Rehm and a whole host of younger students of the chord, for whom many openly admit that The Lomax and in particular Frank Hedges has been their mentor and overwhelming helper in their rise to where they are today, this was the best way for all in attendance to show solidarity against something that is considered a cultural crime in the heavy handed way that the situation at the Lomax was dealt with.

Musician Jo Bywater said, “As far as the Liverpool music scene and Liverpool in general is concerned, this today at The Lomax is really important. Looking round, I think it just shows how much support The Lomax has got. it’s a very valuable asset. I have played here tons of times and I have seen plenty of other acts perform. It has been nothing short of amazing and welcoming under Frank Hedges and a really great vibe.”

Local favourite Shannen Bamford added, “The Lomax is just a crucial place for music and musicians. The staff there are so friendly in such a friendly environment. To anyone playing there, you just get such a warm and welcoming response. I don’t know what I would have done in Liverpool without it.”

When asked about the turn out, local music fan and speaker on the day, Vinny Spencer spoke about his feelings, “I’m very pleased with the turn out for the day. The biggest thing about the turnout is not just the numbers but the spirit and this is what it’s all about. Trying to demonstrate the spirit of The Lomax on this street so the people can see what we have, so that we can re-open The Lomax and they can have it again.”

Perhaps the final word on the day, a day when music was heard to shout in support of a venue, should belong to James Tidd of the band Colour. Originally from the Midlands but who moved to Liverpool for its music, perhaps the greatest endorsement the city can have, who felt moved enough to write an open letter to all and who was fulsome in his praise of Frank Hedges and The Lomax, said, “We played our first headline show at The Lomax, a show that gave us confidence. The show could not have happened anywhere else, the promoter only had a relationship with Frank. This promoter and several other would probably give up if The Lomax was closed…Frank Hedges is the only man I have met anywhere in the U.K. music scene who loves art and music enough to provide such a place for free and with the expertise to pull events off properly.”

In a world that never rises up enough unless there is money involved, when no one truly cares about giving people room to express their thoughts and artistic temperaments, the show of support for The Lomax and its fight against the charges and allegations made about it, was of the most endearing and highest quality.

Ian D. Hall