RTP-area local music and culture

[local506 AT gmail.com]

As much as I liked  Schooner last night, and the theramin and pedal
steel were especially nice touches (plus the background films!), I got
to give it up for Erie Choir, who were amazing.  Again, the additional
instrumentation helped, but this line-up seemed super-tight (plus the
Ringo Starr cover was a nice bonus.)

With that said, these are the only two bands I saw last night.  Not
because I'm not a fan of every act on the bill but I personally wasn't
in the mood to see  five acts - and judging by the lower attendance
when I left than when I arrived, I wasn't the only one.

The reason I point this out is it's often a struggle to get the first
band to get onstage for a three-band bill at 506 because the room
isn't as full as they might like.  However, in all likelihood, most
show attendees aren't interested in seeing all three bands and are
timing their arrival to see some of each band, but not all of each.
I, too, was hoping to catch some of The Strugglers but erred on the
(too) safe-side.

In the end, when shows start later, the headliner is usually the one
to pay the price.  I'm not saying last didn't run on time, but there
were definitely more people who saw all of Erie Choir than all of
Schooner, who were the true headliner.

And this is the number one reason people cite for NOT coming to shows.
It's not the smoke, it's the fact that showtimes are unpredictable and
usually it's the patron that pays the price by having to wait longer
and/or having to spend more money at the bar to kill time.

Point being, if shows started on time, less people might see your
entire show but it's probable more people would see some of your
show.  And for first acts, less can be more. If I only see a couple
songs by a local band I like, I'm more apt to try and catch their next
show.  If I see their entire show, even if I like it, seeking them out
is less important.

glenn