Kritiek Aster — Ennervé
What happened to good ol' live music venues?
South African music is everything but dead, boring, ‘too African’ or too limited. It keeps ripping out my soul and dancing with it, however, the thought of what is happening gives me heartburn. Try as it might to flirt with the media, the venues and the radio stations, our unique music acts are just not getting enough attention or support.
It has been absolutely heartbreaking to witness more and more live venues, ones that my friends and I used to love and visit every weekend, closing down. Most people my age and with my music taste have at some point enjoyed one or many of these venues: The Bohemian, Back2Basix, Roxy’s (Melville) and Cool Runnings (Melville, Victory Park, Fourways). Yet all either have closed, moved or have lessened our vital weekly dose of local music by being open only at certain times.
I cannot listen to the radio anymore, I cannot stand the thump-thump senselessly written and meaningless bohaai that they skop op these days. Even online radios are not soothing my craving. 2Oceansvibe helped for a while, but I need something stronger.
Why can’t I listen to Fokofpolisiekar, Van Coke Kartel, Flash Republic, Stealing Love Jones (or dying Love Jones … when last did they gig?), Desmond and the Tutus, Shadowclub, Isochronous, Jeremy Loops or Goldfish in the comfort of my own city?
The lone little (though expanded) venue I always go to had become the hub of all local music and, by extension, too full, too expensive on their cover charge and less worried about their patrons and their need for ventilation.
The alternative live music options are so limited that it makes me want to throw up – for an expensive drink and a mediocre or bad performance, the only other option we have is going to some overrated Pub&Grill setup.
I need more venues where I can get high on music again. Our music.
YouTube is the closest to a consolation prize that we as lovers of South African music are going to get, it seems. In my personal capacity I know a handful of music enthusiasts who hope to change these truths. I’m excited to sit less than 20 kilometres from home, once again, enjoying a local dose.
