Comments on: Turning the Louisville Music Scene up to Eleven

By: JD Green

JD Green — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:18:21 +0000

I’m just finding this blog, but am really intrigued by the discussion. Louisville is a diverse place, but one wouldn’t know it to go out on a Friday or Saturday night. I’m an emerging indie singer/songwriter, and there are just so many venues, so many bands, so many opportunities, yet many people in Louisville sincerely believe that “there’s nothing to do.”
I would love to learn more about opportunities to network with Louisville’s community of musicians and live music supporters. And that’s not just because I’ve got a cd that’s almost ready lol. I look forward to hearing/reading and hopefully, *experiencing* more of the musical “melange” that’s available here.

By: Susan Gosselin

Susan Gosselin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:09:17 +0000

Michelle:
I think the Louisville music tour is a terrific idea. But…when you get local government involved in an arts endeavor like that, you’re asking for trouble. Who gets picked? How do you have a fair selection process, especially if public money is involved? Suddenly, the citizenry (even people who don’t understand the audience for these bands, or the music itself) might feel compelled to argue over who really “represents” Louisville. Pair that with one of the worst fiscal situations for metro government in 20 years, and I doubt there would be political traction for it. Hell, it took a public shaming in the media to get them to pick up the trash from the storms…and that’s a health hazard!
However…this is a great opportunity for a music promoter. Being able to package up several local bands up, sell them as a Louisville contingent, and take them on the road might be a real moneymaker. You might be able to get an organization like the Derby Festival, or the Tourism Board, or even a consortium of local colleges to be sponsors of the tour, especially if there was a broader theme at hand.
Louisville needs to have more of these discussions!

By: Kenny Bloggins

Kenny Bloggins — Thu, 14 May 2009 09:36:18 +0000

Sean,
These are all really great ideas – things that I saw happening when I lived in Chicago. The first idea is what really intrigues me, though, and I’ll just go on and put this out there.
You run a music blog. I run a music blog. Backseat Sandbar has good guys behind it as well. Let’s put our heads together and make this happen. It wouldn’t be hard – I think we both have show promo/booking experience, and we both love this city. There are downtown spaces that I think would be receptive, and everyone would enjoy the extra revenue. What do you think?

By: Ken Wilson

Ken Wilson — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:07:17 +0000

I don’t know if this concept would complement or compete with Idea Festival: I agree a Bonnaroo-type move is not the best (though, in its smaller scale, Terrastock last year was one of the best experiences I have had in Louisville) – but I’m musing over fusing Idea Festival with SXSW… a Music and Arts SYMPOSIUM… round tables, lectures, and lots of performances at lots of venues… discussions and demos… the business of music and art… the history of alternatives… the Outsider (bring in Mellwood)… music’s relationship with film and the visual…
The Louisville Orchestra years ago had a reputation of championing New Music… Post-Rock began here… Alt.country took root here… As a Border Town and a Crossroads, we have as part of our heritage the merging and creation of new ideas…
Just thinking aloud here…

By: Sean Cannon

Sean Cannon — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:36:58 +0000

Ken, the beauty of something like a “Louisville on Tour” endowment is that it’s completely scalable. I didn’t have a specific budget in mind, but even at a small scale I agree with your assessment of its potential.
And I agree with Michelle that it might be a good addition to Possibility City. I think helping musicians achieve success is a great way to illustrate that anything is possible in Louisville.
Mike, of course Bonnaroo isn’t going to turn Mancester, TN into a music mecca. Just like I said in the post, sitting in front of a portable stage for hours on end does very little tangible, lasting good for the city’s economy and culture. There’s a big difference between what I’m proposing and something like Bonnaroo (or Forecastle, for that matter).
While getting people to scour the streets of Louisville to see music won’t turn it into a music mecca per se, it’ll definitely show off the city and involve local businesses better than a Bonnaroo-style fest.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:13:48 +0000

I think that these are all great ideas. I agree on pretty much every point. I think Louisville has the ability to carry off #1 and #3 very easily. “Louisville On Tour” would be really fantastic. Way to go Sean.

By: Mike at The Big Stick

Mike at The Big Stick — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:12:54 +0000

I’m not sold on the music festival plan. Even Bonnaroo hasn’t turned Manchester, TN into a music mecca.
As for a ‘Louisville Music Tour’ ….. that is a brilliant idea. My question is what kind of venues would they look to play? Would we strive for a diversity in the format? How many acts? How would they be chosen?
My only real fear is that the choosing process would get too PC.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:28:55 +0000

I’d like to see it be part of the Possibilty City campaign.

By: Ken Wilson

Ken Wilson — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:55:36 +0000

Brilliant! The size, quality, and diversity of Louisville’s music scene make it a prime resource, a way to set us apart. The idea of creating a “Louisville On Tour” endowment seems a stroke of genius. How much could it cost? As much as the Possibility City promo? I think it would produce more and better results.