If you know where to start and are prepared to put in the hard graft, setting up a club night at university can be a fun way to supplement your student loan says Richard Partington.

Alex Hope runs the hottest electro night in Manchester. With a Mix Mag club of the month award, and performances from a string of international DJs, Alex’s night, Prostitutes & Policemen, is setting the standard for student club nights across the country.

“It was hard getting the night going at first”, Alex admits, “We had to put money we couldn’t afford to lose on the line to get the venue, sound equipment and DJs, and it’s always a risk that people might not turn up on the night. We promoted it well though and if you do that then there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be a success.

“For new students looking to get a night off the ground, must first find a venue. "We rotate our night around different venues in the city," Alex says. "It helps to keep it fresh, though it’s always best if you pick somewhere popular where people can get to easily.

“We had to pay for the venues at first. It’s to cover their costs if no one comes in and spends money at the bar. Most club managers will be happy to let you hire the place for a price, particularly on a week night. After a while, we found that managers were approaching us, and letting us have the venue for free, as we’d grown a reputation for getting people in.”

“You need to pick something that is popular, not always exactly what you like. It also helps to tap into a scene that’s just making it big.”

Running a club night alongside the demands of university hasn’t always been easy for Alex and he’s hit some problems along the way,

“I once missed half of an exam because I overslept one morning after we had a night on. It can be pretty tiring if we’ve got a night on midweek, too.”

In Liverpool, Andrew Ellis’ Samizdat club night adds top underground post-punk indie music to the city’s exciting night scene.

Foals, Deerhunter, No Age and Liars have all played his night, and Andrew thanks good networking and an obsessive interest in new music for his success. “I started out by putting on bands I’d got in touch with on Myspace," he says. "I contacted them direct, particularly if they were touring the country and didn’t have a Liverpool date.

“Liverpool has a great, tight-knit music scene where it’s easy to get to know other promoters, bands and venue managers. You need to talk to them and let them know that you’re interested in putting a night on."

“I usually start a night with a local band; it helps to draw in a good crowd thanks to their friends and fans in the area. The bigger bands go later on in the bill."

“It’s great if you’re really into music, too, so that you can get ahead and spot up-and-coming talent and put on a night. I’ve put on bands that’ve gone on to be big and it’s a great feeling to see that happen.

“My top tip is to know your market. You’ve got to put on bands who you know people in your city will come and see. It can be hard to gauge but if you speak other promoters and get a feel for what’s going on in your city, you’ll have a better idea of what to do.”..>> Read full article

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/article6862096.ece