In February's issue, our Down on the Corner columnist asked for suggestions on how to improve attendance at local music events. One cleverly written response follows:
Neither of these points will do much to alleviate the valid problem of poor show attendance, but both are relevant.
Most club shows start too late and as a result run too late. I know it's the nature of the beast, but about the only people with a lifestyle that jibes with this pattern are other musicians. And not surprisingly, it's difficult to find a babysitter who doesn't mind staying up till 3 a.m. just so you can hang in with Bodeco.
And my other peeve is the loud music — NOT the bands, but the stuff the club pipes in before the show and between sets.
It's a given that certain types of shows are gonna be loud. Carrying on a normal conversation during such a performance is futile; this should not be the case when the band is not playing. After all, part of an enjoyable night of live music is the interaction with your guests/companions and with friends and acquaintances you 'run into.
Anyhow, keep up the good work and KEEP THE FAITH!
Richard M. Kem