Help The Vortex build and thrive

In Hindsight who would set up a Metal themed 'Dive' bar and lLve Music Venue a couple of months before a world wide Pandemic? I'm Rich owner and friendly'ish face behind the bar at The Vortex Wakefields premier venue for Metal, Rock and Punk vibes and yes thats exactly what I did.

Back in 2019 as I was looking around Wakefield it occurred to me  that a lot of the old places that I visited back in my youth were gone, this thought stayed with me and would not go, it tied in with a dream that I'd had for some time, the dream of owning a bar that was loud, brash, in your face and fun, my vision for the place was a 'dive' bar, dimly lit with a good sound system and comfy areas where you could meet your friends, hang out indulge in the Rock, Metal and Punk songs that you know and love and generally be a place where you could have an exceptional night out. 

Couple this with a love for live music particularly Metal, Rock, Punk and its various subgenres, this is what prompted me to get the gig room ready a.s a.p, I remember vividly the date of the first gig 20th March 2020 with local band Coney Island Jesus, I was really looking forward to it....it did not go ahead, instead I was forced to close early and go home, which is where I stayed for 8 months as the rest of the world did too.

3 years on and I'm still surviving and my dream lives on too, since then amazing things have happened, I've put on some quality live shows including Fleisch who are planning a go at euro vision 2025, Waterlines who headlined the Jagermeister stage at Download and also headlined our very own Vorfest,  Ninja Chicken who have close ties to Andys Man Club, Pulverise, Stray Weather, Surya, G.B.H the list goes on, I'm proud to be a springboard for bands to be able to perform and ultimately play larger shows and make a living out of doing so, further to that I've got technicians and staff that are honing their craft and I admire their knowledge and ability to deliver a fantastic show and experience, all the things geared towards community and a safe space.

Anyway 2024 a chance to press reset and refresh the dream, many, many plans in the pipeline, taking into account many of your suggestions and yeah slide into my DM's with more suggestions.

Things I'm looking at include but aren't limited to.

A review of pricing which a lot of you may appreciate, fixing the pool table, and an eye opening refresh of the bar areas.

Of course these things and others (we've got a list) require funds which I know are in short supply, but to build a Live Music Community that caters to the music we love and can continue and flourish in Wakefield...I'm asking.

So shout about it, share on your socials and dig deep, I will look forward to serving you in the future.

Rich