Does Bakersfield Park at Riverwalk amphitheatre grand opening diss local bands? - By N.L. Belardes
There are many many great Bakersfield bands. What do you think about the city having an out of town Fab Four band opening for Bakersfield's Park at River Walk amphitheatre?
Now I know Soulajar and Mento Buru are going to be there. Why not celebrate using all local talent? Isn't Bakersfield rich in country and rock talent?
What are your thoughts?
Now I know Soulajar and Mento Buru are going to be there. Why not celebrate using all local talent? Isn't Bakersfield rich in country and rock talent?
What are your thoughts?
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Tuesday, April 25, 2006.
You can leave your response.
It might be a logistics issue, a time issue, in ignorance issue or maybe they're just trying to cater to every possible demographic and their only options are the ones they've used before.
I will say this though, if our own local newspaper limits its exposure of local talent (although bakotopia.com is definitely doing a great job at highlighting our local scene), I think it's a safe assumption that the chamber of commerce or whoever is organizing this grand opening to have even less of an idea of what's out there-much less who to book.
As a local musician myself, that is rather a "slap in the face." I agree with your thought completely. Local radio is now stepping up and showing support for unsigned local bands. Isn't it about time the rest of Bakersfield acknowledge we have the talent right here in town for events like these?
I don't think they diss. They just don't have the right staff to go out and find the talent. Whoever's putting up the dough, ultimately makes the choice. Thee Majestics are playing too. Bands can make some calls too. I get asked to refer bands all the time.
This could be a great place to have bigger bands that could help bring up the local scene, but i think mento should be the headliner not some Beatles coverband. Plus why would castle and cook give a rats ass about the local music scene.
BobbyDale
Another Year
Excellent point. Bands do need to be pro-active... seek out such events, put together professional-looking press kits and hand them out...
By doing so, bands can help educate folks that they do exist and deserve to be heard...
Who gives a rats ass about Castle and Cock? Who gives a shit about some city park grand opening? It'll get used about as much as the Grand Amphitheatre right down the street at Cal State or the one behind my house at Beale park. Once the luster is gone, it'll be just another wi-fi park where perverts go to spank with their laptops. Just stick to the staples of the scene, Nlbelardes.com and Bakotopia, They're doing a great job at promoting the local scene! Besides, who wants to play in the day time anyway? Kenny
Another great point. How many amphetheatres are there in Bakersfield that rarely get used? Why one more if the others don't get utilized?
The only local band promoting I ever find is here or bakotopia..
I wouldn't perceive it as a 'diss', just a lack of know-how when it comes to marketing and booking. With all of the spending on the park, they could have put an extra buck in for a 3rd party marketing firm and promotion team to help out. Anyhow, it was definately a 'seek it out' situation for bands. I can't speak for Mento, but I know that Soulajar have been looking into playing this amphitheatre since last year.
In regards to the amphitheatre issue...I don't see how this one can be compared to Cal State's, or Beale Park's. There's quite a bit of difference at hand in terms of structure, useage, etc. One area that Bakersfield lacks completely in is getting themselves on the map for touring bands. Look in any national directory of venues such as the Musicians Atlas, and try to find a listing for any Bakersfield venue. Go to Jambase.com and you'll only find Bakersfield venues because I had to add them. I'm not proud of taking that credit, local venues lack solid promoters and any form of booking management. A great outdoor venue is definately something that's been missing from this town, and I see it as a great opportunity to bring in bands that DO enjoy playing outdoors, in both day and night. Check out High Sierra Music Festival for a good idea of the talent we miss out on because of this lack of good promotion.
http://www.highsierramusic.com
forget it, nick... it's bakersfield.
as a guy i used to work with used to intone, "bakersfield... a great place to die."
:)
Never too late to not give up.
I don't think it's a diss to the local scene. Local bands DO need to seek out these oportunities if they want to participate. I think the biggest problem at hand is that Bakersfield bands lack a diverse style and sound that reaches a wide spread audience... and that's exactly what the city was probably looking for, considering the fact that this park is family based.
In my opinion, there are only a handful of Bako acts that could pull off a great outdoor live set (Mento Buru, Thee Majestics, Soulajar, Mother Funk Conspiracy, etc). It seems that most people want to dance and groove at these type of venues (The Greek Theatre, etc). I'm not saying that other types of music wouldn't work, but just not on a normal basis; esspecially in Bakersfield.
Anyhow, the city did a great job on the park, and definetly stepped it up a notch for the local scene. Let's do it some good and come together to support it--
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