More bad news on the venue front - just as last month‘s GigList went to print came the shock news that Baron‘s/Bar 5 in College Street is threatened with closure. As we go to print this month I’m not sure what the latest situation is - there’s a gig at Bar 5 featuring Rooster on 25th October, but I hope that some way can be found to retain this city centre venue, and use and market it a little more effectively, perhaps. Its loss would be a real blow to the live music scene.

Following initial success with their Sunday Tonic Open mic night, Bar,Co have expanded their live music coverage to encompass Thursday evenings as well and are looking for acoustic bands. Any bands interested in playing should get in touch with Chris Woodman (07840 544306). Swansea Jazz Society has moved from its long-established residency at The Pines in Treboeth to a new venue, Mumbles Conservative Club, and I’ve finally found room for their listing as well!

One of the major events this month is the Swansea Fringe Festival, which actually started on 28th September and continues until Sunday 8th October. Musical events are scattered across the city at various venues, including the Brunswick, The Chattery, Coffee Cesso, the Dylan Thomas Centre, the No Sign Bar, Uplands Tavern and Waterstones bookshop. For more details, including non-music events, pick up a programme or visit www.swanseafringe.com. Look out too for various Oxfam charity events around the city throughout the month, under the Oxjam banner. The Brunswick (11th) and Monkey Café (15th) are both supporting this campaign, and the punk/ska gig at Sketty Sports & Social Club on 27th is in aid of it too. The Welsh-language festival, Tyrfe Tawe, is back at various venues between 11th and 14th October.

The GigList Online: If you've found this site you obviously know that The GigList now has its own website - this one!, but don't forget to check back regularly for late changes to the listings, to keep up with the latest on the Swansea music scene. The electronic mailing list has been giving me a few problems lately. I will persevere with it, but will regular recipients please check that your anti-virus/anti-spam software will let my emails through, especially if you haven’t received anything from me when you were expecting to!

Finally, press date for November’s GigList is Thursday 26th October. I’m away on holiday again before that, so the production timescale for November will be very tight and earlier submission of gig details would be very much appreciated. In the meantime, see you around the town.