There's loads of people we'd love to book but we know they wouldn't fill the place. Need to know your market - what people will pay for, who will pull a crowd. Then you need to balance that with putting on people you actually like.

Seen loads of nights die because they book their heroes and get frustrated when the public don't turn up. Its really sad, but you need to put on a party first and foremost (IMO) and without people you ain't got a party.

Problems we've had is that bar trade is wiping out club trade - late licences, better provision for smokers - there's less incentive to go to a club and pay a load of money and have to queue to have a smoke when there's a bar closer by that plays decent enough music and doesn't charge.

Meh. Reckon Mark's got it right - book smaller names or up and comers and build a night that way. The legends of stadium rock aren't always the best option.