The Minor Chord would like to take this opportunity to mourn the passing of King of Pop, Michael Jackson
– for his quirks, his music, his dancing, we will miss him. The man who re-invented the music clip, the only artist who instead of a world tour was going to make the world come to him, who’s ever changing looks couldn’t get us down and whose music will always keep us up. I hope everyone goes and gets an MJ album to show their kids and their gran kids, and their kids after that… MJ RIP.
The future of the loft secured for now
TMC has been closely following the Loft in Newcastle after another blunder by local council led to the recommendation under their sustainability plan to close the Loft and sell the asset. TMC couldn’t make sense of creating another empty building, undermining youth entertainment. It is obvious that you too couldn’t stand it as the council was inundated by support for the Loft and have agreed to swipe it from their sustainability plan and keep the loft open; well for the time being. Dale Garbutt, Activities Officer for the Loft has commented that “The council voted…to retain the venue as is with a few modifications to our current programs for 2 more years & review again then’ – which is probably as good as it was going to get. Local Councils quite often don’t have their fingers on the pulse when it comes to youth entertainment and what its really about and there seems to be a miscommunication somewhere along the track.
Support for the all ages and how to get it
All of this week Indent has been talking with key stake holders of youth entertainment to develop a strategic plan for the development of the all ages scene in NSW. From the meetings three areas were identified that are mandatory for young people to gain support for in order for all ages events to come to fruition, the support of local council, the music industry and local community support.
The biggest issue identified, in gaining support of the local council and corporate world, was the language barriers between young people wanting to put on an event and the council’s perceptions and understanding of it. One of the outcomes of these discussions was to develop a sort of best practice guidelines for talking to government. Local Councils follow cultural policy guidelines that are heavily weighted on the development of cultural significance of their government area; appealing to that sense of social and cultural enhancement – which youth events in deed do not only for the present but set up mechanisms for social cohesion, skills development and good ole’ entertainment for the years to come.
Community support again is another area that speaks a different language, and a focus on building a relationship here in a mutually beneficial environment will provide outcomes for your event and the community so that a long term relationship may develop. Depending on the areas that you live in, local community involvement may not be mandatory but should be recognised as stakeholders and areas that may be affected by your event. It only takes one person of the community to shut down an entire event!
While all ages gigs start at a community level they are often relying on the support of the music industry, whether it be the venue you want to use, the bookers or managers of the band you want or the music media you want to work with, the music industry is a commercial and professional industry – no matter how glamorous it may seem, the people who work in it have no time, are working to deadlines and to pay huge bills.
So how do you crack this industry and get that band to play at your gig? Despite the huge lack of all ages gigs in NSW bands love playing them, but there is so much more between the band and the proposed gig and that comes down to selling it to the bookers and managers – who aren’t there to say no or make money, but to protect their artist from playing a risky gig. There are potentially three areas that the all ages sometimes skip over. The first security, a band will travel will really expensive stuff, and most of it besides their monetary value is very special to the band. Security needs to be locked in to guard the back room and limited access to the band rooms ensured. Secondly the bookers and managers that will get you the band you want, don’t have time to talk so when approaching them be prepared for any question that they might have for you and have everything planned out, this includes the third, publicity. Promoting your event is so crucial, and often overlooked if a ‘bigger’ name act is on the bill. Having that big act on your bill won’t get people in the door if you don’t promote it. Promoting the gig first on a community basis and then get really creative there are plenty of online gig guides, street press like this here one who are keen to support an all ages scene.
A part of what Indent does is a resource for support, and rather than ringing up a booking agent who has a million calls coming in, give us a call and talk about your gig. Alternatively you can come to the Save the Sydney Scene workshop on the 22nd of July at APRA; we’re putting together a stellar line up of bands and music industry reps so you can get your heads around the Music Industry and then chill with some songwriters for creative inspiration. To find out more RSVP to max@musicnsw.com.
In the meantime, keep giggin’ on earthlings!
UPCOMING GIGS
Yves Klein Blue, with Philadelphia Grand Jury & Deep Sea Arcade
Saturday 4th July, 3:30pm @ Oxford Arts Factory
Short Stack, with Ellington and Tonight Alive
Saturday 11th July, @ The Metro Theatre
The Butterfly Effect, with Dead Letter Circus and Calling All Cars
Saturday 11gth July @ The Enmore Theatre
Hardcore 2009 All Ages Show, Featuring Carpathian, Mindshare, Shot Point Blank, Internal Affairs, Miles Away, 50 Lions, No Apologies, Pro Team and more.
Saturday 11th July @ UNSW Roundhouse Kensington
Indent to Save FBI with Cloud Control, Tom Ugly, The Benisons & Sierra Finn
Sunday 12th July @ The Annandale Hotel from Midday
