Hive Live 1 (at the Australian Youth Hotel) and Hive Live 2 (at the Annandale) were tremendous successes for guitar teacher, Ben Little, in his quest to give his guitar playing students an outlet to play and to learn. His students keep coming back for more, and HIVE LIVE 3 is sure to be even bigger and better that the first two.
Hive Live is a performance showcase by Guitarhive students (and a few guest singers and drummers) as a result of four to five months of workshopping and rehearsing.
The first Hive Live had 8 bands and was held at the Australian Youth Hotel in Glebe in April 2005. About 120 people packed out the venue and it was immediately apparent that Hive Live was a concept worth repeating. The second Hive Live was held in October 2005 at the Annandale Hotel. It had 10 bands, and brought in over 200 people. The event has grown again, and Ben expects between 250 and 300 people to come see Hive Live 3 and hear what his students can do.
"Of course, families come for support, but the audience for Hive Live is actually more diverse than that. A lot of music students, mine and others, came just to see other students play. Playing opportunities like this are rare, and it is also a really entertaining day. There are some real stars here." said Ben.
Ben believes the Annandale Hotel is a great venue for Hive Live for lots of reasons. "It is a popular live music venue; offers a professional stage, sound and lighting; and has enough space for all of the students and their gear. The Annandale Hotel has always been supportive of live music, and is also really supportive of young musicians by providing all ages access for events like School of Rock and Hive Live."
Ben stresses that Hive Live is not just for kids. About half of the Hive Live 3 participants are adults. Ben is proud of the fact that,challenging most statistics on guitar based rock music, 20 of the Hive Live performers are female.
Hive Live gives local music retailers an opportunity to engage as supporters. Jackson's Rare Guitars, The Bass Player, Music 101, and Sydney Guitar Setups have all helped out for a raffle, and Guitar Factory Parramatta is providing the big raffle prize a top range electric, acoustic guitar make and model still TBD.
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