11 May 2018

Why is it so important for the community to support local music?

| Shannen Egan
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Slow Dial live at The Phoenix. Photo: Aidan Griffith Photos.

Have you ever been rocking out to your favourite live band, looked around and only seen a handful of people in the crowd? It could be an indication of lack of support in the local music scene.

Why should you support local music?

You may not think it but YOU, a person of the local community, are very important to the music scene. As stated by Laundry Echo creator Dave McCarthy, Everything is a part of the same social/economic ecosystem and a local music scene is the foundation of it. If you buy a ticket to the show, a percentage will go towards the artists to make more sweet local music, and a percentage will go towards the venue so they can keep showcasing local talent. It also gives other creatives such as promoters and photographers a place in the scene. It’s that simple. Not only that but as the music culture grows in the ACT you’re sure to see the artists that keep missing the Canberra leg on their tours eventually add Canberra venues to their bill.

How can you support local music?

Just by showing up – You may not know it but most venues in Canberra offer FREE entry shows, especially during the week. The Phoenix Pub offers a local bootleg session every Monday evening that showcases fresh local talent between 8 pm and 11 pm. It is understandable that it can be a pain to drag yourself out on a school night but even showing up for the first or second set can make that much difference to your local artists and venues.

Getting down early to see your local supports – Most touring artists will add local talent as their opening acts. So make sure to show your friendly faces early at those shows.

Donating to your local music artists – The creative scene can be a difficult place to work in financially, whether as a musician, a promoter, a photographer etc. Buying merchandise can help support your next up and coming local band to pay for that recording session they’ve been desperately saving up for. At some gigs a gold donation bucket can be found; every little helps.

Sharing and supporting online content – If you’re not feeling up for the live gig or if crowds aren’t your thing there are other ways to support! A lot of musicians/music industry peeps nowadays promote themselves via social media platforms. By giving their page a follow, a like, or a share, you’re helping them promote their music/brand for recognition.

Remembering you’re in a safe space – Most venues hire security for the premises, especially if they are expecting a big turn out. If you ever feel uncomfortable or threatened, don’t hesitate to approach security or a member of staff at any music venue. It is always your right to feel safe and protected.

Check out CBR DIY Gig Guide to help keep you regularly updated on local shows and happenings.

Lefty live at The Phoenix Pub. Photo: CBR DIY Gig Guide.

What do you think can be improved to support local music? Let us know your thoughts.

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