by Adam Aiken
It’s going to be an emotional end to the year at one of the region’s best-loved music venues when the management team say farewell after 20 years of putting on gigs.
The trio behind The Brickmakers are calling it a day after two decades of promoting the music scene in Norwich – with a number of household names among the acts that have played the pub.
Charley South, Emma Rose and Pam South have seen thousands of bands on stage during their time at the Sprowston Road venue.
“It really has been an amazing 20 years,” said Charley.
“We have seen some wonderful young musicians hone their skills on our stage from a very young age.
“It’s been an absolute joy to see them grow into accomplished artists.”
Blind Tiger and Dirty Havana will be at The Brickies on New Year’s Eve for the trio’s last hurrah.
“Both bands started on our stage when they were just teenagers many years ago,” said Charley.
“It’s a fitting end to a glorious era and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Famous names that have played The Brickies during the trio’s time at the helm include Ed Sheeran and You Me At Six.
The pub, which has regularly opened its doors to up-and-coming talent, expanded the opportunities for acts when it opened B2 Venue next door, allowing them to run their own shows.
Emma said: “We wanted to support young musicians and we just didn’t have enough nights in the week to offer gigs on the main stage, so we built B2 and it developed a thriving scene of its own – one that we hope the new owners continue to embrace.”
Those new owners will be Claire and Dale Brooks, who are behind The Walnut Tree Shades in the city centre, where they’ve been putting on music for the past 10 years.
“We have accomplished more here at The Brickmakers than we ever set out to do,” said Pam.
“We have realised all of our dreams and more. We really have had the time of our lives, met some lovely people and made lifelong friends.
“It’s going to be hard to leave something we have loved for so long, but the time is right to hand over the baton of the local music scene and we are confident that Claire and Dale will love it just as much as we have.
“We would like to thank all the bands that have supported us over the years, our wonderful customers, our patient and lovely neighbours and, of course, our staff.
“The Brickies wasn’t always just about the music, but for those that came to enjoy it it’s been amazing – and next time you see us, we will be dancing in the crowd with you all.”
Click here for tickets for the New Year’s Eve show.
