INDIE rockers took part in one of the last gigs to be staged at a Newport club which is closing less than a year after it opened.
On Wednesday, PiL guitarist Keith Levene and Therapy? singer Andy Cairns played at the 200 Club in Stow Hill which is to shut on May 26 due to noise complaints.
Ashley Sicolo, 22, launched the venue including memorabilia from his grandfather John Sicolo’s old TJ’s club in Newport, which gave exposure to bands like Oasis and the Manic Street Preachers and Primal Scream.
However, he has decided to close the club he opened last June and will not contest a licensing review of the club, which is due to take place on May 20.
He said: “I’m not going to bother. It’s too much hassle. I just want to move forward.
“There was an abatement notice and complaints on the first night.
“I need to go away and I will be back with a different venue in a couple of years.”
The 200 Club was inspired by the former TJ’s in Clarence Place, Newport, which was part of the indie band circuit and gave exposure to a host of emerging bands including Oasis, the Manics, Green Day, Primal Scream and Skunk Anansie, Catatonia filmed the video for their single Mulder and Scully at the venue and according to reports it was where Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain proposed to Courtney Love.
A farewell concert, set to feature local bands, will take place at the 200 Club the day before it closes on May 25.
Bands booked to play the 200 Club in coming weeks included punk rockers the UK Subs. Mr Sicolo said the acts were set to transfer to venues in Cardiff.
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