Are we going to stand by and let the music die? Keeping live music alive
The Steve Edmonds Band at The Wickham Park Hotel
Many of you know that one of Newcastle’s most loved and renowned live original music venues shut its doors last week. Rumours flew about who and what and why, and bands cancelled rehearsals and went out for beers instead of preparing to grace The View Factory’s stage (myself included).
Over the past few years, the charming room built up a reputation amongst local and touring acts as somewhere they could go and find an audience interested in them, and not the television or TAB above their heads. For audiences, it was a great place to catch some original tunes on comfortable lounges surrounded by local art and a generally wholesome vibe.
The View Factory’s story isn’t unique though. I spoke with Steven Pickett, director of one of Newcastle’s largest and longest standing entertainment agencies (EAO), about the steady decline of live music venues in the city:
“It doesn’t seem too long ago that Newcastle, between the harbour and King Street, was a haven for live music. There were gigs every night of the week and on Fridays and Saturdays you could start at The Cambridge and hit 20 or so venues, all offering live music…. The nurturing of local talent was part of Newcastle’s DNA then. Like Nobbys, the beaches, the Uni and a wonderfully bohemian/artistic culture, our celebration of live music was famous”.
Sounds amazing, right? So what happened?
To hazard a guess, I’m going to say that money is at the root of it all (as is the case with many things) and unfortunately this leaves everyone – punters, players and publicans alike - in a bit of catch 22…
If we look at the basic needs of all three parties it all seems so simple. Bands want to make a living, venues want to create an atmosphere, draw a crowd and their money over the bar and audiences want to enjoy that atmosphere at a reasonable cost with minimal hassle.
In an ideal world, I’d say ready, set, go and all three parties would do their bit (awesome!). Back in the real world, where risk, expense and the bottom line trump all, we seem to be left with everyone doubting each other – venues doubting that audiences will come (and that investing in live music is the answer), audiences doubting that venues will provide, and bands doubting that venues value their contribution.
What does it mean for the industry?
Well, take the View Factory as a timely example. Pickett says that, “a venue like TVF is important not only because it provides an outlet for original music but also because it provides a place for musicians to hone their craft, an incubator that gives artists an opportunity to showcase their material and, very importantly, develop their professionalism in front of an audience. Sadly, with the closing of venues like TVF, these opportunities are being lost”.
So what can we do about it?
(For bands) “It’s all about the numbers. Draw the crowds and pretty soon the venues will be booking you” adds Pickett.
So bands, get out there and promote your gigs – all of them! And friends, family, rent-a-crowds and music enthusiasts, try to get out and support them – don’t let their music pour out into empty rooms, go out there and gobble it up! As Steven Pickett said to me, “go to the gigs there are, buy the songs and, when you see an act that blows you away, tell everyone you know and then some”.
Do you have ideas about how we can grow our local music industry? I’d love to hear them…
(Photo courtesy of Kat Blackwell)
A can of worms that one, worthy of endless hours of conversation across the country.
Being a veteran of the Melbourne Electronic music scene I can say this question regarding Newcastle is a national problem. I’m a Newcastle noob but I see the same problems that my crew face in Melbourne.
In my circles the main problems we discuss stems from a cultural change in society that manifests through various channels which add up to less people feeling enthusiastic about going out and seeing any form of entertainment.
You can point at economics, you can point at violence and even local/state government planning and posturing. They all add up to less incentive for people to go out and view entertainment and have a good time. I think the economics reason is minor even though it is used all the time, it’s a lame excuse because many studies throughout history claim that when the going gets tough communities like to party more to wash away their pains or fears. And I think most would agree that some of the best music to come out has come through hard times.
The main point that comes up in the circles I am connected to across the country points to overzealous bureaucratic controls that end up making people feel uncomfortable for having a good time and the fear mongering fed to us also makes people fear going out. So they stay away.
I could go on all day about this topic but I will stop here.
All I will say is that what you are seeing here in Newcastle is similar all over the country to a degree. But, the opportunities I see in Newcastle are some of the best when I compare to say Sydney or Melbourne. There is something about the Newcastle CBD that inspires creativity due to it’s “untouched” and raw feeling that could easily nurture artists of all persuasions.
That will do for now. Thanks for the yarn 😉
The trouble is that the degradation of music ever since the end of the 80’s has led us to a very stale music scene. If I had a choice of doof doof music live or any other music not live I sure wouldnt sit there and listen too the doof sounds of saturated amps pumping into sub woofers. More importantly is the fact that our younger generation is all going to be completely deaf before they hit 40, as these doof doof sounds they “listen” to are going to break their ears.then there wont be any music cuz no one will be able to hear it anyways.
I have found also that the grey army is moving in and sticking its wrinkled face in where its not needed, see old people cant stand the nice high pitched sounds that come through great guitarist belting out ripper riffs at the local pub or club so they ring up and complain and then the pub gets a ban put on thier music venue section pending an inquiry into how much noise they make and ways of cutting the noise down so it doesnt effect all the whingers who have already lived their lives to the fullest, without rules, and makes it hard for anyone still trying to live their life to enjoy it. I say ban doof doof music and all music without an emphasis on guitars riffs and also ban old people - it could be just like the science fiction movie Logans Run but take the age up to say - 60. and dreop the retirement age to 40 and up the pay so we can all afford more life.
Just some random observations about the way Newcastle’s nightlife seems to operate (but with no idea of how you can fix or diversify the live music scene):
*When going out to gigs, SO often you see people just turn up just for one band (whether it be the headliner or their mate’s band). I don’t understand this attitude personally… if you’re into the live music scene, you think discovering new bands would be an excellent way to get your jollies off!
*Pigeon-holing of venues by patrons. I know so many people who won’t go to particular venues because of “the emos”/”the hippies”/”the old farts”/”insert-pathetic-reason-here”
*As above… I know many people who just don’t go out anywhere because of the general attitudes they’ve met at the DJ-oriented clubs… whom you often meet walking in between venues [*coincidentally*, I have been disappointed to note a lot more altercations and vandalism happening outside The Cambridge]
*Cover bands. Need I say more? Actually, I probably do. Funnily enough, there seems to be more focus on “going and getting fucked up” rather than having an enjoyable night out [sure, sometimes this can be the same thing. I wonder though, if you can’t remember, how do you know?]. This is what I’d classify as an attitude problem. And of course, if that’s your main goal; odds are you will want to dance and sing along to stuff you know. I’m not sure why - maybe it gives people a guiding light through the boozy haze.
Better keep other venues like Lizotte’s going then. Isn’t this something NIMA (Newcastle Improvised Music Association) should be helping with?
Thanks so much for your comments guys, it is great to hear so many perspectives on this issue.
Holotropik, I loved that you said that there are so many opportunities here. Newcastle is a hub for artists of many kinds and it is comforting to think that this can continue to grow in spite of factor like economics, violence and government planning.
I agree that some of the greatest music comes from turbulent times. I’m a blues & soul fan, both genres perfect examples of this.
Aaron, I’m not sure how much success you’ll have with your quest to let guitar riffage rein supreme haha. I have to say that I’ve grown to believe that everything, and everyone, has their place in the world of music. It is just a shame when this becomes unbalanced and favours something or someone (e.g. doof doof and the older generations in your case).
I think you raised the important issue of the impact that noise complaints can have on the live music (DJ or band) industry. In Newcastle alone, I can think of 3 venues affected by this: MJ Finnegans, The Kent Hotel & The View Factory.
I find it particularly interesting that residents can complain about noise despite order of occupancy (i.e. who was there first). To me, this means that I could move in next door to a pub and then complain that it’s noisy on a Saturday night? I’m not sure of the technicalities in this respect, but it is something I’ve seen impact on the type and amount of live music that a venue can host.
Rebekah, I think you raised some important points, ones that warrant some discussion about how to address them and become part of the solution. Any ideas on how we can encourage more people to check out bands they haven’t heard of? To go to venues that they don’t think they’ll fit in at?
I’ll refer back to my comment to Aaron about everything having its place in the world of music, ideally with some vague interpretation of balance. In my opinion, this applies to cover bands as well, and they are affected by many of the issues discussed here.
As you said, not everyone who wants to see a live band wants to hear new songs. Hell, I think there’s a bit of that in everyone - why else would we listen to songs on repeat or buy tickets to concerts of bands that we know and love? I know that singing along is a part of that for me! I don’t think we need to get rid of cover bands, but ideally more venues would place more (or any in some cases) value on original music.
Finally, Christine, thanks for your comment. I appreciate the Lizottes venues immensely and think that they do a great job of supporting local talent through their Live n Local nights and featuring local support acts when showcasing touring artists. Definitely an example to follow I think!
I hadn’t heard of NIMA before this. They seem relatively new? I’ve “liked” them on Facebook so that I can stay across their activities and look forward to seeing what they get up to.
good to find a page like this…
personally i think the local goverment has let us down, newcastle is not safe, people feel at risk to go out, there is no transport and lack of venues , minimum police presence, for example…i was attcked last night by three people, they started on me and couldn’t handle what i had to say back to them…this place is turning into a ghost town…
and the zombies are walking around taking over…
my website is not complete…should be ready by june 2011.