Venues

Industry Trends / Performance / Venues — Comments Off
10
Aug 10

London – Clubbing Royal

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketFunk, Hip-Hop, Soul, Swing, Rock, Jazz, House, Reggae, Latin, Drum ‘n Bass, Techno, Bigbeat, Trance, Metal – make your choice. This is what the clubbing scene in London has to offer. There is so much to see in London like the Clock Tower, Madame Tussaud’s, and Piccadilly but nothing even remotely compares to what nightlife in London has to offer. Home to some of the greatest rock and pop bands in the world, music seems to be alive in every corner, every street, and every brick in the wall.

The place to visit is Camden Town, which has a history of rock and roll. Clubs in Camden will offer you a heady concoction of Beer and underground music making it an unforgettable experience. If you are in London, you can’t miss Call the Office. It offers you an eclectic mix of contemporary, alternative, and classic rock that will get you high. It is one of the favorite clubs for those who believe that clubbing is their only and true religion. Live performances and Jamming sessions by Canadian bands like Nickelback and Tragically Hip and local bands like Angry Agency and Acacia have been a part of the club’s repertoire. Continue reading →

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3
Aug 10

Miami – The Club Land Of North America

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketMiami can easily be termed as the clubbing capital of the world especially with the various genres of music and people coming together for one mega party. Miami never sleeps, and the DJs at various clubs will make sure that you don’t too. Shots of Vodka, Martini, and Tequila are the favorites and will give you enough strength to head bang till morning. Clubbing in Miami is not just an experience; it is a way of life. In Miami, there are no bands, there are only cults, and there is no religion except music. The clubbing atmosphere is electrifying and all-consuming.

Club music in Miami is forever experiencing a continuous process of evolution through experimentation and fusion. If you don’t catch up, you will be left behind and washed out. Clubbing in Miami is not just about dancing or head banging through the night, it is also about drinks, dope, and damsels. If you are lucky, you may end up shaking a leg, or two with the who’s who of Hollywood. The best place to find your favorite Hollywood superstars and icons is at Rok Bar located in Miami Beach. It is owned by former rock star Tommy Lee and is dedicated solely to rock & roll. You can relive the charm of classic rock unplugged, or scream your throat hoarse with heavy metal bands play their metallic best. Continue reading →

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11
Jul 10

What To Do And Not Do At A Music Conference

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketI just returned from the second annual Hyperfest Music Conference & Festival. It was a lot of fun but makes me think of plenty of do’s and not to do’s. It’s interesting how many indie musicians have good intentions but don’t have a game plan in place when attending these conferences. I have some helpful tips below.

Here is my list.

TO DO:

Have plenty of CDs (with the wrapper removed) and business cards on you. I’m amazed how many people don’t do this!

Smile and be approachable. This is a network event so make the most of it!

Meet and mingle with music industry professionals as well as other musicians. You never know who can help you.

Attend workshops & panels. You can never know it all. Take the time to learn something new.

Be professional. Always, always be professional. Continue reading →

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3
Jul 10

Music in Panama

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPanama has a rich musical history, so the locals take their music very seriously. The city has invested in a number of world class venues, and private industry has filled in the gaps. Depending on one’s music tastes, music in Panama can be heard on a daily basis. Venues for music in Panama range from large convention centers like Figali and Atlapa to hole in the wall music joints like Unplugged or Pavo Real.

The Teatro Nacional of Panama, or National Theatre was designed by Genaro Ruggieri and inaugurated in 1908. It is under the jurisdiction of the National Institute of art and culture, and is considered a national heirloom. Situated in the heart of Casco Viejo, the Teatro nacional is a gem of a building, and should be visited to appreciate the aesthetics alone. Most notable in the striking façade is the towering columns that run the length of the building. The interior is just as ornate, making it by far the most beautiful location in Panama to hear music. Other music venues in Panama Teatro Ayanasi and the teatro Anita Villialaz, both converted government buildings. Acoustics are excellent in the Teatro Nacional, however leave a bit to be desired at Ayanasi. Continue reading →

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15
Nov 07

Indie Music Band – Naming Your Band

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Most people would say the first thing to do is to find a name for the band. Lets start from there shall we??

The auditions are over, you have found your bass player and you all seem to get along really well. The excitement is in the air and you have had your first band bonding celebration.

Now its time to start your musical journey together.

Personally, I think that finding a band name is THE hardest decision that the band will ever have to make and therefore one of the most important decisions as well.

A band name is a very important part of the bands identity. It is the first point of contact a punter has with the band.

Does this conversation sound familiar to you? Continue reading →

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15
Nov 07

Indie Music Industry – Focus On The Quality Gigs

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketI’m not sure what the indie music business is like in the US, Canada or the UK in regards to playing gigs but I know in Australia we still have venues that pay guarantees for bands to play.

This is great because you know exactly how much you are going to be paid at the end of the night for the service that you are providing. What it also does is lull you into a false sense of security by thinking that the more shows you play the better off you are.

That maybe true if every show that you play has a guarantee but what happens if you have to charge at the door and you haven’t cultivated a fanbase? I learnt this lesson pretty quickly.

In 1995 I moved from Adelaide to Sydney to further my music career and had the opportunity to get my own band “Hot Fridge” together with a couple of really good players and for the first time it was up to me to get the gigs. I considered myself pretty good with the “gift of the gab” and so I went out and got a lot of gigs for the next three months.

I was buoyed by the fact that we were a “working band” but I wasn’t prepared for what happened next. “Hot Fridge” was basically paying to play and we were losing money.

I spent all of my efforts in getting the gigs I forgot to develop a strategy to actually get people to the gigs. When we did play shows in front of a few people we didn’t engage with them enough to get their details so we can communicate with them about future gigs. It was safe to say that my three piece band was not very happy.

I then realised that the most important thing was not how many gigs you played but the amount of people you played to. When this penny dropped I immediately called a band meeting and told the guys of my discovery. Continue reading →

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