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Nowhere to play?I often hear “there’s nowhere to play in Sydney!” I find that an interesting remark, given there are over 80 operating live music venues in Sydney at the moment. So I wonder if you can help me break down this plaintive cry and understand what it actually means. Firstly, obviously not all venues are created equal, nor do they uniformly share target markets - so maybe the statement really means “there’s nowhere to play my kind of music in Sydney!” Secondly, a quick squiz of street press shows the venue ads busting with live music, but the same bands, most with some sort of label or major booker support, seem to be playing in all of them. Maybe the battle cry is really “there’s nowhere for new independent bands who need a break to play in Sydney!” This I have a hard time fully believing though as there are many indie band nights or open mics at numerous venues, including some Sydney icons like the Hopetoun and the Annandale. I have been intrigued by a recent spate of letters to one particular street press mag about the fragmentation of the Sydney music scene - one argument was well presented about the transport situation in Sydney in which makes it difficult to reach some venues (the fact there is no direct way to get from Newtown to Rozelle/Balmain on public transport gets my goat). I can understand why someone may be reluctant to venture too far out of their suburb for a local band when it is difficult to find parking at the venue, catching a cab raises the price of an evening out considerably, and late night bus/train service home is infrequent and spotty. The other argument, often mentioned when comparing Sydney to the scene in Melbourne, is about the liquor licensing laws which have until recently made opening more intimate venues cost prohibitive. As I have expressed before though, I am uncomfortable with the close alliance of alcohol and live music - we should not have to depend on one to see the other thrive. The final aspect I would like to put up for consideration is the sheer number of bands and musos in Sydney taking a punt. This I cannot put a number on, but from venue bookers I know, the numbers of requests they get from bands is astronomical. And there is no way to make everyone happy. So maybe the lament is “there is nowhere for MY BAND to play, because no one is letting us in!” In the end, it is the music business and when all things are equal, I wouldn’t blame a booker who goes with the safer bet (a band who has proven they can pull punters) than an unknown quantity. This is a bit of a chicken- egg dilemma, as doesn’t a band have to be placed in front of people initially so their music can be heard and punters ‘discover’ them? Perhaps this is where festivals play a role? What do you think? Is there literally NOWHERE TO PLAY in Sydney?
Tags: Live Music, Sydney, venues
One Response to “Nowhere to play?”Leave a Reply |
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July 23rd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
There are plenty of backyards and houses to cut one’s teeth on. Back when I was in school, that was how bands got a fan base, and as a direct result of playing at a different party every other weekend, got gigs in the local pubs, then teamed up with other bands, then got picked up by some of the bigger local acts… It was a progressive cycle that was actually pretty fun to be a part of (other than having to make sure all the 16 year old girls hid when we were raided by the police at midnight!)
I dunno, it seems people want something for nothing, without actually paying their dues. Can’t go from obscurity to the Annandale overnight.