Downtown Georgetown
SXSW Enabling, Not Using
RECEIVED Mon., March 21, 2005
Dear Editor,
Wow, Raad German really takes SXSW personally [“Postmarks,” March 18]. It "forces itself upon Austin" and "leave[s] us locals feeling used.”
I'll agree that for local music fans it's basically a good time to stay home. During SXSW there's no going to places like the Saxon Pub and hearing living legends like Ian McLagan playing for a handful of people. Or Grammy winners like Asleep at the Wheel playing a grocery store (Central Market) for free. But that seems a small price to pay for all the times that you can do so, the other 361 days of the year.
Without the boost of dollars coming into their coffers every year a lot of these venues would be gone, or converted to shot and DJ bars. Live music requires live music clubs, live music clubs require money from fans. I do what I can, and it sounds like Raad does too. But that isn't enough, not with ever higher rents, insurance, state fees, etc. The SXSW people aren't using us; they're enabling us. Call it a money transfusion or whatever, it's an essential part of keeping live music living. So skip the club shows, there's always the big free shows at Auditorium Shores, great bands, lotsa room, and no wristbands required.
I also thought it odd that the one solution Raad suggested for feeling used was a cheaper wristband. After all that complaining about overcrowded clubs, the solution is to put even more people in line trying to get in? Interesting.
Wow, Raad German really takes SXSW personally [“Postmarks,” March 18]. It "forces itself upon Austin" and "leave[s] us locals feeling used.”
I'll agree that for local music fans it's basically a good time to stay home. During SXSW there's no going to places like the Saxon Pub and hearing living legends like Ian McLagan playing for a handful of people. Or Grammy winners like Asleep at the Wheel playing a grocery store (Central Market) for free. But that seems a small price to pay for all the times that you can do so, the other 361 days of the year.
Without the boost of dollars coming into their coffers every year a lot of these venues would be gone, or converted to shot and DJ bars. Live music requires live music clubs, live music clubs require money from fans. I do what I can, and it sounds like Raad does too. But that isn't enough, not with ever higher rents, insurance, state fees, etc. The SXSW people aren't using us; they're enabling us. Call it a money transfusion or whatever, it's an essential part of keeping live music living. So skip the club shows, there's always the big free shows at Auditorium Shores, great bands, lotsa room, and no wristbands required.
I also thought it odd that the one solution Raad suggested for feeling used was a cheaper wristband. After all that complaining about overcrowded clubs, the solution is to put even more people in line trying to get in? Interesting.
Thanx,
Jim Vest
Jim Vest
