Communication Breakdown

Music fest's best and worse

James Samons

October 2009

If a music fest happens downtown and no one hears it, did it really happen? Yes, it did … and it was

awesome.

As Entertainment Coordinator of the 2009 River City Music Festival, I spent months booking bands,

planning schedules and dealing with the event's financial limitations. I listened to advice. I kept telling myself,

“can't please everyone.” I angrily read fest bashing and whining on websites and in the newspaper. And in the end, I have a few opinions I would like to share.

FIRST AND FOREMOST: The music was wonderful.

I spent the entire weekend running up and down Water Street, with many stops at Ragsdale's and Breakaways, and I heard nothing but good music floating around downtown. And, although there have been complaints about “not having __” or “why didn't you get __”, I'm extremely proud of this year's bands and their music.

This has not always been the case when covering the fest for the local media. On many, many occasions I have spent an entire weekend going from stage to stage only to hear the same shit over and over again and presented horribly. I felt the variety and talent level was above and beyond the fests of recent history. And it wasn't just the bands that were great … the sound and stage professionals were awesome. If you liked the lineup, then you liked what I did. If you like how it sounded, you need to give credit to these guys.

BUT, OF COURSE, NOTHING IS PERFECT: The fest did have its problems, as it does every year.

Some have said the rain drenched spirits on Saturday and cause problems for the event. But I'm here to tell ya the rain didn't do anything but move two afternoon events (Rock n' Roll fashion Show and Speech and Debate Competition) inside … and they probably should have been indoors in the first place. Only ONE band (Scene of Irony) was displaced but their transition to Ragsdale's was very smooth, thanks to Bill Shivelbine being ready for anything. And I don't believe the rain kept people from coming, either. It was done by 6 p.m. … way before the festival bands got going.

I have also heard that ticket prices were a big deterrent. Well, if you can't find $8 to see 10-14 bands a night (but then will pay $5 for two bands in a bar on any given night) you're a douchebag. I don't wanna hear how “I went to __ and I saw (insert hardly known touring band here) for cheaper than that.” If you like music, then a music festival is worth it to you. And, apparently, it wasn't worth it for most.

I have had some tell me they didn't hear anything about the fest and had no idea about the details. It seems promotion may have been a problem, and it's something the committee needs to look at for next year. I have also had people tell me “I don't wanna pay to get in when I don't know anything about these bands.” Well, genius, ever heard of the internet? MySpace? The links provided with the schedule that was posted online and in the newspaper?

Oh well … at least my guys, Rockface Barband, still had a great turnout (thanks to all that came, btw).

A FINAL THOUGHT: We might not have much of a music scene around here, and it hurts to admit that.

And if this is the case, a music festival is not needed and will not succeed. Folks, I tried to listen to complaints of years past before making the same mistakes. I thought the variety and validity would bring out even those previously soured on the fest. More than half of the bands this year had never played our fest before. I tried to keep this from being the same local bands playing the same music they play every weekend in Cape. But that strategy obviously didn't work. Two examples: The Backsliders – the featured band and one of Rolling Stone's top 10 up-and-coming bands this year – had a small turnout, and Ellewood (#1 EP on iTunes) played for maybe 10 people.

Maybe this is something that can eventually work in the area, but it ain't workin' now, and it hasn't for a looonngg time. I think Cape needs to go back to a musical crawl, instead of stumbling around like a drunk on payday.

(James)

The opinions and views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect those of BannedPromotions.com.

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