Joss Stone's mum buys Exeter venue
THE mother of superstar singer Joss Stone has bought a city club to reopen as a live music venue.
Soul singer Joss’ mum, Wendy Joseph, 48, and husband, Jonathan, 42, are the new owners of what used to be The Hub, on Mary Arches Street, in Exeter. And the venue will be opened with a performance from superstar Joss.
-
The Hub in Mary Aches Street, Exeter, which has been taken over by singer Joss Stone's mother Wendy Joseph and will become Mama Stone's. Joss, inset, is expected to perform on the club's grand opening night in September LAURENCE UNDERHILL EE300609_LU05_01
Plans for the venue, which will be called Mama Stone’s, include a performance stage for live music.
There will also be a bar, a kitchen serving food and a recording studio.
The decision to buy the property came after Wendy’s Wellington music academy, the original Mama Stone’s, was closed down following complaints over noise.
Wendy said: “We were devastated when we had to shut down our Wellington venue after just two years, as we had been fighting for such a long time.
“But we delighted to create an even bigger and better Mama Stone’s here in Exeter.
“It will be very different to anything else that is here already, it is just what the city’s music scene needs.”
The club, which can hold up to 250 people, is set to reopen in just six weeks’ time in mid August, once it has been refurbished.
Wendy said: “We are getting to work straight away with redecorating and painting the place, and the ‘soft opening’ as they say in the US will take place in August, followed by a grand opening in the first week in September.”
Joss Stone, who is currently touring in Europe, will perform with her band on the night of the grand opening in early September. Wendy said: “Joss is looking forward to performing here as she really likes Exeter. We will release dates nearer the time.
“There will also be some other big name bands, which I can’t confirm yet.” The business venture will create a number of new jobs in the city, including positions for bar staff and food runners.
Wendy said: “We already have our managerial roles in place but anyone working as bar staff or in the kitchen should just drop by with their CV. We will also be looking for local bands and unsigned local talent to perform, so demo CDs are also welcome.
“We want to provide a stage for local artists, and we are open to any music genre.
“Mama Stones will be a place for people of all ages to come and relax and listen to some good live music.”
28 Comments
View all
by CHRIS RATCLIFF (PROFESSIONAAL DRUMMER), EXMOUTH
Saturday, October 24 2009, 9:52AM
“Following a recent visit to the Mama Stones venue, I was so impressed and happy to finally find a decent music venue in Exeter. The atmosphere was electric with everyone having a great time and some fantastic music as well. Well done Joseph family a real pleasure to come to your music kingdom and savour a fantastic night, I will return very soon and who knows may even do a turn on the drumss”
by clive hooper, plymouth
Saturday, October 03 2009, 11:33AM
“Any venue that presents live music and helps provide a stage for local and name acts can only be a bonus - good luck to Mama Stones and anyone else who provides and supports live music!”
by rachael, exeter
Sunday, August 09 2009, 9:20PM
“THIS JUST WHAT EXETER NEEDS! TO BE MUSICALLY PUT ON THE WORLDS MAP! EXETER IS FULL OF TALENTED PEOPLE WHO DESERVE TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IT BIG TIME!”
by A Rat Attack Fan, Exeter
Wednesday, August 05 2009, 2:34PM
“Get Rat Attack to play, they are awesome and I think really going places. Local lads playing hardcore punk, watch out for them.”
by katie,, devon
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 8:42PM
“does anyone no where you can buy tickets for the grand opening night for joss stone!!”