The Beat Surrender

The Academy Music Group (AMG) looks set to kick start 2008 with plans to open three new venues, two in the North of England and the South coast development of the Hippodrome in Brighton.

Having built a reputation for converting listed buildings and former music venues that had closed their doors to concert goers previously, it looks like really good news for Sheffield, Leeds and Brighton as they welcome ‘new’ venues to the cities music scene.

The Leeds venue is the site of the former Town and Country Club and AMG plans to restore the Grade I listed building to its former glory as one of the City’s most historic music venues. At the same time, AMG has also completed the leasehold acquisition of the former Roxy nightclub on Arundel Gate in Sheffield. To complete the triple offering, AMG is making excellent progress on its most ambitious project to date, the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Hippodrome in Brighton, following consultation with leading conservation specialists and heritage organizations.

Although no dates are available at the moment for the opening of the Leeds and Brighton venues, Sheffield Academy will open it’s doors on Friday 11th April with a gig from Sheffield heroes Reverend And The Makers. Also confirmed are gigs from James, KT Tunstall and The Pigeon Detectives.

The opening of these three venues will take the groups venues up to 15 by the end of the year and includes the legendary Brixton Academy (pictured) in London.

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