Do you support your local music community?

[Watchootognbout]

I don't go to any local shows. Why aren't there any local gigs around here? This is how silly some of you sound.

So....we are obligated to go listen to music that we don't like?

 

[cnltb]

I support those, whose music i like.

 

[oZZma]

I support those, whose music i like.

I don't want to be in a clique that demands attendance of each other's shows.

Exactly.

 

[Tee Dubb]

I feel you on that one. I found that those who are musicians and those who are cyclists have a better sense of reality that seems contageous. I tend to look at the positives, as opposed to those who focus on the negatives. Even negative things yeild positive results. It's a balance. I strongly support local bands. Being stuck at home has worn me down. Now that I'm out and about, I know where to go. I LOVE SHOWS!! PERIOD!! If I can make it, I'm in there.

 

[MrLenny1]

I try to support my local music store and get out to see friends gigging when
I'm not. I also support a local music hall that brings in great acts at affordable
ticket prices. Al Dimeola, Cream, Stanley Clarke, Experience Hendrix.

 

[Nozueb]

I love live music done right, covers, originals, regardless of the style. Beats just drinking and talking. I cannot go to every gig as I did before, with full time job, wife and kid. But I try, and also will drag the wife if I can (and the kid to afternoon shows). It is especially cool with friends' gigs since we're all there listening and trying to get the pa to sound right. Every time I get renewed passion to do my own gigs better.

 

[rtslinger]

"If you don't go to my show, don't expect me to go to yours.....and that's the way it is"

This was said to me the other day from a local guitarist when we were talking about another local band

The local metal scene here is a pretty tight group, and I've always been an advocate of supporting my locals. For me it's a way of getting out of the house, having some fun and talking shop.

Being an active part of the community for me is a very positive social activity that has actually served me pretty well.

But, I hear where he's coming from.........

Thoughts?

Yes I do. I try to make it to other peoples bands who come out to support us. I usually bring some family members with me so I won't get drag up on stage, but it is rare that I don't sit in for at least one song We usually get texts from them that they are playing some where and if I can't make it I share the text with other members of my band stating if any one is free stop in ______ and see so and so band _______night.

 

[SteveHeissner]

It's always good to support local music if you can. I work Mon-Fri and volunteer at an animal shelter every Saturday and Sunday plus play in two bands myself. I have little time left for my own family, let alone other musicians. Yet I do go out to see other local bands a few times a year.

Now get off my lawn, you punks. I'm old and cranky.

 

[blue4]

If the local bands played anything from the last ten years I'd go see them. Sadly, they don't. It's the same 40 year old songs, delivered exactly like the originals only with bad vocals and a guitarist who probably shouldn't be playing leads. The band I sometimes play with at least will arrange songs to play to our strengths. I'm sure occasionally the result is not stellar but at least it's not cringeworthy. You may not like how we do a song, but at least you can't complain that we failed to pull it off. Most of the "support" I've seen given to members of my family who are in bands has been, "that was ok but here's how I usually do it." Kind of like that old How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb joke. Honestly I can live without that.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I make an effort to hit one of my BL's open mics once a week, and gigs by people I know a couple times a month. I live an hour's drive from the scene I'm part of, so it's an act of will to get my butt in gear and get out there. Often, it pays off in a good way. Especially if I show up with another band member, whoever is playing will stop for a moment to acknowledge us ("Hey, Redhead is in the house"). We reciprocate when they show up at our gigs. Now, I ain't 25 anymore, and there are weeks when I'm just too damn tired to go through the routine. So sometimes I stay home. But more often than not, I go. As I have been known to say, it beats the hell out of Netflix.

 

[Eilif]

I very occasionally get to a show but I don't "support the scene". I've got a wife and kids and haven't the time or inclination. I'm already giving one weekend evening a week to gigging and I got my fill of listening to mediocre acts when I was in my 20's.

"Supporting the scene" is for kids who don't have kids.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If the local bands played anything from the last ten years I'd go see them. Sadly, they don't. It's the same 40 year old songs, delivered exactly like the originals only with bad vocals and a guitarist who probably shouldn't be playing leads. The band I sometimes play with at least will arrange songs to play to our strengths. I'm sure occasionally the result is not stellar but at least it's not cringeworthy. You may not like how we do a song, but at least you can't complain that we failed to pull it off. Most of the "support" I've seen given to members of my family who are in bands has been, "that was ok but here's how I usually do it." Kind of like that old How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb joke. Honestly I can live without that.

Or their "support" is really just them trying to make contact with whomever does the booking at that venue.

 

[Knavery]

I don't get the mentality myself. If you were friends with those in another band, then yeah, it'd be good to go support them. But if you're expected to support everyone in the scene, that could be a full-time job. I already have a full-time job, a house to maintain, three pets, a wife, etc. And I don't even have kids. Forget about that... I can see promoting them via social media and other ways, but that's about it. I even have concert tickets to bands I've wanted to see for years that I may need to sell due to real life. It sucks...

 

[74hc]

Of course, I attend services of other worship choirs, and sit in on some from time to time.

These are probably not the type of gigs at commercial establishments that OP had in mind, but that is my world. I get paid in the currency of God's love.

 

[Clark W]

I try to go to other local gigs but life gets in the way alot when you got

1) work
2) a new band / recording project
3) gigs to do yourself
4) and whatever else life can throw at ya.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Most of us aren't doing this for the money. As Facebook Live and such get better at the streaming quality I wonder if that will become the preferred way of doing live music?

I believe it was Sandi Thom that I saw doing online concerts 10+ years ago. (Just checked - it was her and she's still doing them. Invalid Link Removed) Sure, you can say we're turning into hermits, but I can have a clean bathroom, non-greasy food, don't have to worry about a DUI or some drunk hitting me, no ears ringing, etc - maybe there is something to this. We complain about bars not paying well, cut them out of the loop. Expand your crowd base potential to the Earth and possibly the space station. Of course, this is primarily for originals. Licensing issues would kill doing covers.

 

[Tee Dubb]

It's always good to support local music if you can.

Now get off my lawn, you punks. I'm old and cranky.

Ha ha ha ha!! I can relate.

 

[Ric Vice]

I do go to concerts that local musicans are involved with. In fact I did that twice last week. That said, the jazz scene here in St. Louis can be very comptetive and hard to navigate. I’ve been very fortunate to play on some great concerts this year, so I count my blessings. That said, there are always “gate keepers” that control the access to certain venues here in the city and have their favorites that they book repeatedly. Their reluctance to extend the pool of players to a larger group can be pretty frustrating.

 

[IamGroot]

I patronize performances by talented musicians and some jam sessions. I look at both as learning opportunities.

I dont waste my time on mediocrity.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Most of us aren't doing this for the money. As Facebook Live and such get better at the streaming quality I wonder if that will become the preferred way of doing live music?

I believe it was Sandi Thom that I saw doing online concerts 10+ years ago. (Just checked - it was her and she's still doing them. Invalid Link Removed) Sure, you can say we're turning into hermits, but I can have a clean bathroom, non-greasy food, don't have to worry about a DUI or some drunk hitting me, no ears ringing, etc - maybe there is something to this. We complain about bars not paying well, cut them out of the loop. Expand your crowd base potential to the Earth and possibly the space station. Of course, this is primarily for originals. Licensing issues would kill doing covers.

Well, meatspace is messy. That's why they call it "the real world." I'm still into being a live person attending a live performance. Screens, even big flat ones, just don't do it for me. Context (questionable hygiene, greasy food, etc.) is everything.