New Year's has a way of making us feel all introspective. And as the self-appointed arbitrators of the local music scene, we thought it apt to shift our gaze inward and examine the goings-on in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
10. Venues or promoters will pay local bands for performing.
So many venues give local bands the shaft when they perform. Shelping around amps and instruments, and entertaining audiences is hard goddamn work. Instead of offering up a couple of free drink tickets for their performances, why not cough up a couple of bucks instead?
9. Cruzan Amphitheatre will book more relevant shows other than country music and old fogey music.
Enough with Brooks and Dunn and Journey! Give us more Radiohead every once in a while.
8. Launch another rock radio station that actually plays good rock music.
When Buzz 103.1 fell by the wayside a few years back, many considered it a sign that rock music in South Florida just doesn't work as a format. Perhaps if the befallen Buzz played more variety than just cock-rock, it would have boded better. Why not throw in some variety, not just indie, but punk, post-punk, prog-rock, and other genres that appeal to a broader audience?
7. Bars, clubs, and theaters will stop overcharging for drinks.
It's not South Beach for crying out loud! When residents of the 954 and 561 go out to see a show, paying north of four dollars for a beer is a crime. Find a way to lower the price tags of those well drinks and see the rooms fill up.
6. Have more all ages shows.
Drinking laws often keep the under-18 from attending superb concerts. This is ageism is our book. The teen crowd deserves to see great rock shows just as much as the over-21 set. Why relegate them to warehouse shows? Heighten up security, purchase more wristbands, train the waiters and let the young folks in.
5. Audiences will go to shows and care about the music.
We all have heard the endless amount of gossip that occurs at shows. So many go to concerts to see and be seen, and could really care less about the bands performing. We went to many a gig in 2012 where the ambient noise from the garrulous crowd outdid the band playing. A great local music scene entails a supportive, appreciative audience.
4. More venues. More venues. More Venues.
We have heard many a musician complain: "How many times can you play the Poor House and Propaganda before getting bored." It's true, there is a general lack of places to check out live music in our part of the globe. Sure, there are the tourist traps with the cover bands -- which certainly have their place -- but, it would be nice to see a few more rooms open up this year that encourage live, original music.
3. Lake Worth will pick up where it left behind in 2011.
Lake Worth, what happened this year? You had a palpable music scene going on a couple of years back and everything just stalemated this year. No more Lake Worth It Festival, that swamp-a-billy movement dissipated, and there was a swath of apathy across Lake Ave. Bands supported each other in 2011, it all sort of fell to shit this year. Bring the enthusiasm back, please.
2. Less douchebags allowed in Fort Lauderdale.
Booking more original live bands will keep those individuals with the spiky hair and atrocious Affliction T-shirts out. They don't want to listen to good music, they're just looking for a fight and a piece of ass for the night. There are plenty of places on Himmarshee that caterers to this type of customer. If everything goes right on our list, those skintight-shirt-wearing cologne-abusers will avoid the gigs entirely.
1. Will beget another Surfer Blood.
When Surfer Blood came onto the scene a few years ago, it shined a radiant light on our area's gifted musical landscape like never before. We heard tails of A&R reps sniffing around town, speaking to bands and contemplating record deals. We are certain there is another Surfer Blood in our midst.
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