Evolver 147

UNA WOODRUFF July / August 2008 # 46 See evolvermagazine for all 147 front covers 17 RACHEL ROSS March / April 2019 # 110 ORIANE LE CHEMINANT July / August 2018 # 106 ADANNAY September / October 2025 # 145 Simon Barber selects his six favourite front covers DAVID SHILLINGLAW May / June 2023 # 131 ROBERT DARCH March / April 2023 # 130 TOBY HOLMES July / August 2023 # 132 DAVID R ABRAM March / April 2022 # 124 Suzy Rushbrook selects her six favourite front covers MARK BRUCE COMPANY January / February 2018 # 103 EMILY QUINCE September / October 2021 # 121 ZOE BARKER July / August 2024 # 138 almost impossible to earn a living as a musician. I’m proud to say I’ve never had an overdraft with Evolver.” Advertising costs are kept low because Evolver’s key supporters block book for six issues ensuring a constant income. Simon has never received any kind of grant but appreciates how many of his advertisers are supported by the Arts Council of England, local authorities and commercial sponsors. He comments: “Evolver has created a vital network without the people even realising it. If you’re listed in Evolver you’re in a gang. If you advertise in Evolver you’re building that network of makers, performers and venues. It’s a network other regions in the UK don’t have.” Whenever I’m enthusing about a concert, exhibition or live performance I’ve just seen (humble brag here, about two a week), I hear someone saying “Oh, I wish I’d known about that, I would have gone.” Most of the south west isn’t suf fi ciently populated to support live events that run for more than one or two performances and word of mouth, even online, is not powerful enough to build crowds. Local news providers, whether print, online or broadcast, are pressurised to cover all subjects so it's a question of luck not design to experience a comprehensive round-up of available culture at any one time. Surveying the past quarter century Simon observes: “When we started the magazine the arts environment was completely different. There were a lot of county arts of fi cers and formal networks like DAPF. They’ve disappeared but most of the venues and activities they helped support still exist, with new personnel and fresh ideas. We’re in a healthy place.” I subscribe to a lot of newsletters and mailing lists, but if you don’t have time to scroll through everything, or you dislike booking ahead, then Evolver magazine highlights all the good stuff for you in one go. Put red rings around the ads, or yellow stickies on the listings you like, and plan some stimulating adventures. Evolve yourself, and help Evolver notch up another quarter century! Ros Huxley Ros Huxley is author of ‘Kendal Acts Up’, published this summer by WriteSideLeft Portrait photograph by Deborah Johnson PAUL BLOW November / December 2009 # 54 *EVOLVER_147_SB.qxp_Evolver_2025 16/12/2025 20:49 Page 17