THE live music scene in Hereford, like most things in life, has suffered the swings of fortune.

News for 2005 is that home of regular Wednesday night live music sessions, The Imperial on Widemarsh Street, has ceased programming for the time being.

The aim in October 2002 was to give local bands a forum, which worked for a time.

"After a year the bands became complacent," manager John Neilly said, "not turning up on time, and sometimes not turning up at all, which reflects badly on the club. It was simply no longer successful from a business perspective."

Entertainment manager for the venue, Andrew Marston, feels the burgeoning night was a victim of its own success.

"So many bands came out of the woodwork when we started the regular live music nights, and sometimes there would be four live music nights competing with one another for the same crowd and performers. The marketplace became saturated."

Other live music venues, Manhattans, The Plough, The Old Harp and The Volunteer have also pulled the plug on live music, albeit temporarily in some cases.

"A glut of activity is harmful to the live music scene generally," said performer with The Big Top and Music Pool administrator Dennis Schiavon.

A purveyor of the city's live music scene for many years, Dennis has seen activity rise and fall.

"It's a perennial problem in Hereford that it lurches from one extreme to the other.

"Market forces determine the given level, which will eventually find a natural balance.

"Another factor is the lack of a more major live rock venue in the city, with dedicated sound, light and PA systems and a capacity of between 500-1,000.

"There is nothing to funnel the live music scene into. If people are serious rock fans, they have to travel."

Which is exactly what former Hereford-based band, Spencer, decided to do last year, making a move to Bristol.

Their December gig at Club Imperial, which featured fellow local band Brandon Steep was a big success, but it is likely to be the last time that they play their hometown.

The five members moved last October and, so far, it's gone 'fantastically well'.

"We've played a venue called The Louisiana a couple of times and have a local Indie record label sniffing around us," said vocalist Steve Waterhouse.

Having met at Hereford Sixth Form College, Spencer felt they'd taken it as far as they could in the city.

"The same people came to our gigs," Steve said. "We felt if we wanted to really achieve something we'd have to move on.

"Bristol is about the best place to be at the moment, and we jumped on the bandwagon."

"Young ambitious people want to try their luck in a big city," said Dennis. "The Music Pool is involved with training young musicians who go on to work in the commercial sector.

"There is something to be said for being a big fish in the small pool that is Herefordshire and there's never been a better time for marketing over the internet and by email, which creates an environment where rock music can retain local characters."

Pubs including The Victory on St Owen Street, the Wye Inn in Lower Bullingham, The Three Elms on Canon Pyon Road and The Hopton Arms in Ashperton will continue to stage live music on weekend nights.

So it's a case of support live music, or lose it.

"We in the live music movement slog away all our lives to show people that it's worth going to see a live band," said Dennis.

Club Imperial will continue to host local bands who want to play there - for further information call 01432 360931.