For weeks prior the people of Salisbury couldn’t escape the bunny in a top hat plastered in the windows and doors of supportive businesses in Salisbury. Come Thursday 28th August, they were enlightened as to what all the fuss was about.

8pm, The Old Ale House in Salisbury, and the very first We Heart Arts Awareness Night was upon us. We enlisted the help of two much-loved local acts – Go Vegas and Citystereo – to get the ball rolling. As We Heart Arts aims to promote the benefits of creative programmes for young people, it seemed only fitting that the acts on the night had directly experienced programmes like these (Bass Connection at Grosvenor House for those who’d like to know) would be the first bands to advocate our message.

Citystereo took to the stage first with the unmistakable sound that has already made them one of the bands to watch on the south coast music scene this year. Fresh from their slot at Guilfest, they whipped their hometown crowd up with their hooky riffs and infectious lyrics – the sound of the crowd echoing ‘Do, do you know?’ is still ever present in my memory – starting the party in the high-energy vibe that continued throughout the night.

Luckily for the crowd, a brief respite to catch their breath and get a drink lubricated them for the great presence that was Go Vegas.

Now, every other time I’ve seen Go Vegas belt a set out in their hometown my senses have been assaulted with pure pop-rock, the sweat of the crowd going mad and the visual delight of their nearest and dearest joining them on stage to end their set on a high. I think Reading Festival only a few days before had subdued their audience somewhat (we were spared the stage invasion), but the vivacity those who’ve seen them before have come to expect was still present. During their famed song ‘Single’, we were graced with a sing-a-long from the crowd, and some crazy dancing to boot – anyone see that wild blonde guy at the front?

We just want to thank everyone who came down on the night and those who helped us with flyers, posters, filming and photography – major thanks to Nik and Sean at the Old Ale House, Russell ‘The Soundman’ Parsons and to both bands for all their hard work.

However, don’t think this is the last you’ll see of We Heart Arts – we’ve got plenty going on, including the We Heart Arts Digital Split EP Collection. So far such great artists as Shelby Sifers, Eyes For Volume, fire island, AK and Secret Owl Society have lent their creativity to the splits and there are more to come! In the pipeline is an Everyone Except Me/I Heart Dog Split and the possibility of Jordan O’ Jordan doing a split. On the subject of CD’s there is also the release of “(Home) Made With Love” We Heart Arts’ first all home recorded children’s album to look forward too in the coming months.

These releases coupled with other things in the pipeline that we cannot disclose at the present moment should take us nicely into the New Year and we hope everyone will tag along for the ride as 2009 sees the possibility of more We Heart Arts gigs (and if the first one was anything to go by they will be occasions NOT to be missed). We would love to hear from any bands that might be interested in being on the bill for any upcoming shows or that would like to be involved with the splits (or even in passing out We Heart Arts info cards at their shows).

We have started a movement here that we could not have achieved had it not been for everyone that came to the show, has brought a CD, passed out We Heart Arts info cards or just been supportive in general. We love each and every one of you!

Tony & Lucy

xo