DWINDLING crowds at live gigs could herald the end of original music, but one musician has come up with a possible solution.

Sick of having to dig into his own pocket to fund a show, John Young, who performs with Scorpions, Asia and Bonnie Tyler, has requested that bands pledge' to see him sing before he agrees to be there.

"The UK music scene is very media driven," says John, who also performs solo.

"People want to hear what's in the charts and what's on the radio, or tribute and cover bands - they won't take a risk on something new anymore."

As a result, some live music venues are often left with less than a handful of people in the audience.

"Live music will die," says John. "It's a bit like a field - if you don't plant anything, nothing will grow."

So John has come up with a plan. Fans pledge to buy a ticket for a show in their preferred town or city and if the venue gets enough pledges, the band will turn up and perform.

It could be the start of things to come, but Dave Kitteridge, Riga Music Bar's promoter, isn't convinced.

"Things are changing because it's very difficult to get people to come out now," he says.

"Bands only want to play if they can get a guarantee from the venue, but the venue don't want to give guarantees. So this is another way to do it - everyone knows they are going to get paid."

The plan, however, relies on music fans preparing to commit to a date and a band they might not know much about, with their money well in advance.

"I can understand where John's coming from because he's on a budget," says Dave.

"But I don't think it would take off in general. It's only the same as buying the tickets in advance."

Instead, Dave believes it is everyone's attitude to unknown music that needs to dramatically change.

"Essex particularly has got very much into the celebrity culture," says Dave.

"If I put Big Brother's Brian on, the place would be packed! But people don't want to listen to anything that's not manufactured and well known. It's a shame because it means that eventually venues like this will close down."

To make a pledge for John Young to perform at Riga, log onto www.myspace.com/johnyoungband.

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