Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Friday Music: Bring Back Boxes

22 Responses

  • Samuel Scott,

    Totally agree about the need for 'boxes'. Wellington is in the process of losing its best mid sized venue. The thoroughly box shaped San Fran Bathhouse. A bit of character in a venue is all good and well, but sight-lines and sound are unquestionably more important.

    A thing which I love about a lot of US venues (and some UK/Euro venues) is having a cool, comfy bar that then leads into an entirely separate performance space. The performance areas quite often being really dull, rectangular spaces that couldn't be confused as anything other than a venue. I think it can encourage people to go to the venues early and socialise...or stick around after the shows and maybe have a drink with the band. When the bars is close to the stage it seriously restricts soundcheck, and when its time to turn on the lights and pack up it kills the vibe of the room wether the bar is staying open or not.

    South Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 315 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Thomas,

    Ohhh. Hope it's not that bad for The Veils next month

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 317 posts Report Reply

  • merrica,

    I quite liked the idea of Koko in London - a theatre converted into a gig venue,with the balcony area used for a bar and viewpoint....for the people that want out of the crush below or who want a more relaxed place to be.
    I'm guessing there are a few theatres or old cinemas around which have closed or in danger of it. They could get a new lease of life as venues for live music

    NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Tim Michie,

    A particular thank you to music venue managers who try to renovate successful venues leading to reducing my attending and spending at musuc venues.

    Auckward • Since Nov 2006 • 614 posts Report Reply

  • Samuel Scott,

    St James theatre is another great Auckland venue. Please someone fix it up...but don't fix it up too much.

    South Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 315 posts Report Reply

  • Robin,

    I'll also miss the St James, but perhaps there will be more demand for small to medium venues with the rise and rise of artist's 'direct to public' distribution and promotion methods leading to a greater range of smaller performances.

    I've enjoyed Golden Dawn as a venue, anyone know if it will continue?

    I'd also like to draw attention to this public music performance:
    "We won't stab you"
    Venue here:
    http://goo.gl/maps/3D1Y3
    Yes in the pedestrian tunnel. 4pm today (Friday)
    Venues are passée, keep it public!

    BTW Larz Randa's latest really deserves more appreciation! http://larzranda.com/

    Auckland • Since Jun 2012 • 8 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Hope your plane worked, Russell. I won't be joining you in Wellington as Hamilton Airport remains closed by fog--possibly generated by heavy breathing from the nearby Field-days,.
    Will try to get up to the next Media3 screening.

    Have you taken a listen to the new Vampire Weekend CD? Very good!

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    It's been too long since I went to a gig in NZ. However, FWIW, there's been outrage here about the closure, through bankruptcy, of a well establish pub/venue, the Annandale, following years battling the local council to get a later licence. The place has hosted every other major Australian band for over two decades - and many kiwi bands too, I've seen Dimmer and Shihad there. It's hard to know precisely what happened but I'm inclined to agree the view that neighbours' complaints to a weak council and dodgy process by the council generally led to the financial failure. Fortunately, rather than being converted to apartments, which seemed inevitable, it's now been bought and, under a new mayor and council, will continue trading and with an extended licence.

    If its of interest, I'll happily post links to the 6 or so venues I'd recommend for visitors to Sydney?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Tim Michie,

    Just because

    Get us out from under Wonder Woman.

    Auckward • Since Nov 2006 • 614 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Darlington,

    Another of the great soul men goes... "Let my People Go" should be an essential item in any decent record collection.

    Nelson • Since Nov 2006 • 949 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew G,

    Well if you're in Napier and there's something good on, The Cabana is a pretty good box venue. It also has a good PA and pretty lights. It does sometimes lack an audience though. I'm sure it'll be packed for your show next month Sam.

    It would be a really good venue in Auckland or Wellington, and for the bands the load in/out is easy

    Napier • Since Mar 2007 • 53 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Williams,

    links to the 6 or so venues I'd recommend for visitors to Sydney

    please do

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • JacksonP,

    And enjoy the fab new Phoenix Foundation video …

    It is becoming my favourite track on the album. But, and apologies Samuel, I was a bit disappointed they cut the outtro short in the video. I found it so captivating I made a loop of it in Garage Band. :-)

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report Reply

  • Samuel Scott,

    Cabana in Napier is good simple venue. I like it. I assume part of why the sound is so good can be attributed to the late great Ian Morris.

    South Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 315 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    My highlight from last night's smaller but perfectly formed venue, courtesy dj Peter McLennan and Jackson's hospitality:

    For bonus points, imagine the latest Muppets movie on screen in background.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Sacha,

    That was my favourite track all night (and there was some stiff competition). I have now become slightly obsessed with finding steel drum bands covering well-known songs. Trinidad Steel Band doing The Meters' "Cissy Strut":

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Danielle,

    You were dancing indiscriminately :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Sacha,

    My theory is that once you start dancing there's no point in stopping until you go home. :)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Nora Leggs, in reply to Danielle,

    In the 'if only' box..... If only I had a copy of Candido Camero - Jin Go Ba La - then your own lounge becomes a boxy dance club....

    Auckland • Since Dec 2011 • 2700 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew G, in reply to Samuel Scott,

    That's true, Ian did a lot of work to get the place sounding very good but there's been upgrades since as well and some good in-house sound guys - the latest to move to the area is Ron Kessels, a young Dutch bloke who flicks back to Europe to do sound/monitors for Sigur Ros, Radiohead etc. He's made some pretty average bands sound very good at the Cabana.

    Napier • Since Mar 2007 • 53 posts Report Reply

  • JacksonP,

    The other box I remembered was the perhaps strangely located 'Howick by the Sea'. Saw the Chills there in 1992. This recording of Strange Case is from that gig.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report Reply

  • JacksonP,

    If you'll forgive the shameless plug, Jonathan did an excellent post on venues over at Capture last year, Auckland Rock City. And Graham Reid did one here.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report Reply

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