BANDS seeking a regular live music night in Huddersfield have been given a helping hand.

There have been fears about the decline of the town's live music scene since the January closure of Abraham's pub.

The venue had provided a town centre hub for new bands and alternative music every weekend.

Now, Huddersfield music fan Stevo Houghton is trying to solve the problem by creating a focus for live music in Huddersfield.

He has launched Hudds Music Scene at Elements bar on New Street.

At the first night local band The Cut performed.

Stevo said the first night was a success, adding: "It went really well and The Cut performed a great set."

Hudds Music Scene will be a regular gig night every Thursday, allowing bands of all types and levels of experience to play.

Any proceeds left from the door takings after PA and venue costs go to the bands.

Stevo said: "Abrahams used to give countless bands a chance that other venues would not.

"Since that closed they have had nowhere, so I want to give them the opportunity to play home town gigs."

Stevo also launched a pilot version of a Hudds Music Scene magazine at the gig.

HMS - Hudds Music Scene - gives details and gossip on local bands.

Stevo said: "I have had some good feedback and hope to hit the streets with it this week.

"My hope is that the fan base for live music has not died, but just needs reviving."

Stevo's experience with live music gives him a good chance of achieving his goals.

Through working at Beaumont Street Studios he has arranged a number of live music nights under the title of HD1 Live.

The HD1 gigs are held at The Lockwood pub every Monday, at The Station Tavern in St George's Square on the last Friday of each month, at The Media Centre, Northumberland Street, on the last Wednesday of every month and at Vox Bar on the first Monday of each month.

He has also run an Acoustic Club in Huddersfield for four years.

The difference between these projects and Hudds Music Scene will be the lack of focus on any particular type of music or target audience.

Stevo said: "I want to be really open about which bands play, so everyone can drop in and know they will see some original music.

"It is my one-man mission right now, although ideally other people will come on board. I just felt that if I did not kick-start it, nothing would ever get done."

* Entry to Hudds Music Scene gigs is £2. For more information about them or other live music events, visit www.huddsmusicscene. co.uk