Big Figure Promotions was originally set-up in September 2012 to promote live music events at Stockton's Georgian Theatre & The Green Room and occasionally elsewhere. The name comes from the drummer of Dr Feelgood John 'The Big Figure' Martin of whom were a major influence on Steve Harland. This was to establish a separate identity from Rock Garden Revisited set-up in September 2010 which lasted three years and also involved the late Dave Griffiths and Gary Mcgee.
After 18 months of promoting there it was decided to relocate to Middlesbrough's Westgarth Social Club having already promoted three shows there.
Steve did a couple of solo gigs and then worked with several other promoters including the late Barry Simpson; Leigh Sayers of Building Bridges, a one-off with Tim Oxnard of The Oilbirds before promoting over 40 concerts with Martin Mathers between 2014 to December 2016. Martin then decided he wanted a break, promoted a handful of gigs with others then called it a day.
Steve decided in January 2017 a change in name was needed as his partner Wendy Archer and new co-promoter had now retired from her teaching job in South Yorkshire and relocated to Marske by the Sea to live. Steve chose 'Down By The Jetty', which maintained the Dr Feelgood connection as it was their debut album originally released in 1975. Together they have promoted 39 gigs and in May when The Membranes return to the Westgarth Steve will have promoted a grand total of 100 gigs since September 2010 - no mean achievement in this climate.
Big Figure returned in 2023 when it was known that the Westgarth was closing down permanently. Various venues have been utilised including the Georgian Theatre, NE Volume Music Bar and Sticky's - all in Stockton on Tees. Gigs further afield for later on in the year include a co - promotion with Punishment of Luxury in Sunderland and Riverside Rebellion in Darlington.