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LIVE FROM THE 919 Mostly Positive Outlook, But Music Tastes Evolving With New Generation
H
ow do you describe the current live music scene in the 919? It’s largely positive, but varies in intensity – from active, to evolving, to “being on fire” – depending upon the source. Certainly, big events – which this year feature such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, Heart, Peter Frampton, Yes, Ringo Starr and Earth, Wind & Fire – are now a part of the Raleigh summer schedule, but the amount of national, regional and local live music continues to blossom and is rapidly becoming a part of the social fabric. And a variety of music is more robust than ever before, spanning from traditional rock, to country, to electronic, to bluegrass and ethnic and rap. Plus, it’s evolving. “The 919 music scene is very active with a lot of really good bands to see on any given Friday or Saturday night,” said Dave Seymour, a member of the local band Night Shift. “We see the emergence of more great bands each year playing a wide variety of music genres. Venues have come and gone, (but there are) still lots of places to play out.”
Frank Barnacz of Bender Street Band is even more optimistic about local live music. “It is on fire! So many great original musicians are out there,” he said. “I highly recommend checking out some of the unfamiliar venues and bands out there.” Kathy Miller of the local band, Dirty Maude, is also emphatic: “It’s rockin’!” But Steve Baker of SMB Management, who represents the local band Bull City Syndicate, is a bit more cautious on the local music landscape. “That’s an easy question, with a complicated answer, because, the music scene is divided into so many different components,” he said. “The cover band scene has challenges, as restaurants/bars
By TILDON DUNN 919 Magazine Writer
have drastically smaller entertainment budgets (due to a variety of regulatory and economic factors) — and the fact that music itself has changed, with more and more audiences preferring DJ and electronic music (rather than classic Top 40 bands). Baker said that has led to a huge transition in the local restaurant/club/ bar scene. “Many have shifted away from live bands, altogether, and either cut back to soloists or duos, or went for DJ’s and electronic music, to cater to the younger generation’s expectations,” he said. “Whereas there were a dozen or
‘The 919 music scene is very active with a lot of really good bands to see on any given Friday or Saturday night. DAVID SEYMOUR Night Shift
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www.919Magazine.com
May/June 2019
