Thousands pledge support for music venue (From Daily Echo)

Thousands pledge support for Southampton's Talking Heads

6:19pm Tuesday 10th January 2012 in Southampton By Arron Hendy

CLOSE to 4,000 supporters have signed up to an online campaign to save one of Hampshire’s top live venues.

But as the pressure grew for the Talking Heads in Southampton to be saved any hopes that leading lights in the music business are about to buy the club look slim.

The club in Portswood Road is being remembered for welcoming a long line of up and coming musicians and comedians by a host of celebrities and visitors.

The support has flooded in on the social networking websites.

Those paying tribute to the Talking Heads included Captain Sensible from punk group The Damned, who had a number one single as a solo artist with the song Happy Talk.

He said: “I’d buy it but the Happy Talk money ran out years ago.”

BBC film critic Mark Kermode, who lives in the New Forest, also gave his support, as did the band Right Said Fred.

Southampton Itchen MP John Denham said he hoped the “great venue” could be saved.

But at the moment the bands and hundreds of fans who graced the venue on Saturday night still look like being the last people to enjoy the well-known nightspot.

Speculation that Isle of Wight Festival supremo John Giddings or Radio One DJ Rob da Bank could combine to save it look like wishful thinking even though both have gone public in support of the Talking Heads.

Mr Giddings, who relaunched the Isle of Wight Festival, has quashed the rumour while continuing to hope someone else will come forward.

He told the Daily Echo: “It is sad to hear that such a great music venue in Southampton has closed its doors.

“I wish them all the best for the future and hope that someone brings it back to showcase local bands.”

Rob da Bank was unavailable for comment but his press team said they did not believe he was involved in plans to save the club.

On a plus note the Candle Club, where singers, musicians, poets and comedians take to the stage to hone their skills, looks like it will survive the venue’s closure.

It moved to The Shooting Star in Bevois Valley Road last night and is expected to remain there on Monday nights if the Talking Heads is lost for good.

Despite the setbacks hope remains.

Discussions are also continuing online on the possibility of the venue being run as some kind of community venture.