THE year began with sadness with many youth services about to fall under the axe of cutbacks by Wiltshire Council, most notably was the imminent demise of Bass Connection.

A petition to save the service gained thousands of signatures. Although the service would eventually finish in its previous format it has now been saved by Salisbury Area Board with Sound Emporium running things.

April saw Salisbury band Young Brando head out on the road with McBusted on their debut UK Arena Tour. This saw the five-piece pop-rock act play three nights at London’s O2 Arena amongst an impressive tour calendar. They closed the year by performing at the Christmas Lights Switch On.

Once again Salisbury Live was a storming success as the multi-venue music event for Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival with the Live at The Farm in May the event being the jewel in its crown as hundreds flocked to sun-drenched River Bourne Community Farm to lap up an eclectic mix of acts. The Farm has quickly become a much-loved venue over the past few years and there was a bumper crowd in August when West Country veterans The Wurzels stepped the barn boards.

Tom Jones, Squeeze, Frank Turner and Tom Odell were amongst the headliners as Larmer Tree Festival dazzled in mid-July brilliance once again. Lily McCauley, Eyes for Gertrude, Peter Leonard and The Intercepteurs were some of the Salisbury-based acts that impressed at the Tollard Royal festival. July also saw the birth of new local festival Sausage, the two-stage festival which I had the pleasure of being one of the organisers. It seemed to tick a lot of boxes for local music fans – we'll be back in 2015.

Millers Daughter and Eyes for Gertrude have both enjoyed extensive airplay in 2014 from BBC Radio Two, both duos look set for a big year ahead after making waves this year.

Lyrical Monsoon bagged Best Band and Best Live Act at Salisbury Music Awards in October as hundreds once again filled Salisbury Arts Centre to see who would be crowned this year’s winners. Keith Gale received an Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Salisbury Music for his brilliant work with Bass Connection where he has mentored hundreds of budding musicians for many years.

It’s also been a great year for fundraising shows where kind-hearted musicians and gig goers have helped raise over £10,000 for worthy causes. Well done to all!

Thanks to every performer, promoter, venue and most importantly music fans for making the scene what it is. So let’s raise a glass to what has been a great 2014 and look forward to a great year of music in 2015.