Shanghaiist: Soma speak: "We want a livehouse revolution"

Gubei

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:56:56 +0700

The guy stepped up, cut his deal with the venue, so now if you want one of his nights you have to pay him. Sounds fair enough to me, what are the other self-promoters whingeing about? If you have a good event to stage, then negotiate with him, else try another venue. I remember slightly less ire over the closing of CBGBs. The only thing funnier is the hypocritical foreigner complaining about all the other foreigners at the shows. And yeah, it was way more than 40% in Battles, despite the, um, survey? Pangpang: Get rid of the losers sitting on the stairs to the main room. Annoying, unsafe, and I'm going to boot them in the head on my way to & from the men's.

skyline5k

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:41:55 +0700

Was at Yuyintang this weekend for RE-Tros, and while once again, the show was great, a band like that needs a much BIGGER venue. People could hardly move in there, including myself. We'll see how crowded it is again when No Name comes back to YYT. As for price of beer, that's not much of a concern for me, considering I go to these places for music, not for booze.

NickStein

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:29:04 +0700

It's ok that they want to annoy all the other promoters and screw them, and alienate some of them music fans. And of course they have to come out saying big numbers, grant plans, amazing goals (look at how amazing we are). However this (what precieved as) backstabbing move does annoy quite a few people and just when you think everyone's in the music scene in SH is working together, they do something like that. This is all ok, but come out and admit so, admit this is a strategy. and you know what, by tit for tat, next time I can screw you just as bad, if not more, and I get to do the same thing, "oh no it's for the good of the music scene! we'll make the music scene in SH better!" Soma will get no sympathy from me if it fails. What's the difference between that and if, say, if the Chinese government screws over Soma and say "oh no it's for the good of China", and then make some claims about making China better.....strategy, it's all strategy

James Creegan

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:57:10 +0700

Loving the controversy, and I hope this guy is genuine about the plans to develop the Dream Factory in the right way.

Michael_Michael

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:51:03 +0700

Let them charge what they want, it's their business. They'll find out soon enough if the rates work.

Andy Best

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:34:36 +0700

I've nothing personal against Soma. I won't be posting on this again at the blog. I just feel I have to answer direct attacks on the facts of the article. In this case they are strongly sourced.

Jake Newby

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:24:14 +0700

Thanks Andy. I felt it was only fair to publish Pang Pang's comments, however, that doesn't mean that i endorse them. As you say, I didn't see the point in trawling it all up again, but the existing information you've linked to here certainly seems to cast serious doubt on Soma's comments. @Steve_C I think Andy's argument above answers some of your questions @Jason_Sch I think Steve's right. The cheap beers were part of the original plan that didn't get agreed upon. If DF still run the bar, the high prices will stay I guess this makes us all irresponsible

Andy Best

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:11:15 +0700

Pangpang feels like big brother is watching him and he's down a police station. How dare those music fans and scene organizers have opinions! This interview is all very well except for one point: Point one: It's all utter BS. However, not much point trawling it up again etc. So i'll only use existing information as a quick taster. In fact, if you compare it to what you had to spend before, we're actually offering a deal that is less than half price what it was before because we've already invested in the equipment. If you've studied maths you can calculate it yourself! The deal in question raised Splitworks overall costs for a show at DF 150%: as said here How do you respond to criticism that your arrangements will cut out other promoters? Such accusations are irresponsible.There are no accusations, it's a fact. The three Straight Oota Canada shows, including the Stills/Mushrooms gig, have given up on Dream Factory and will now show at the smaller Yuyintang. I know this for two reasons. First the Stills show deal is how the original figures for the first post came out and secondly, here's the new schedule. I have info that utterly demolishes the rest of this ridiculous pile of tripe too but i'm not at liberty to speak for anyone other than myself. In fact, that's the reason i'm commenting at all: The quotes about the rates being half price and the 'accusations' being 'irresponsible'are calling into question mine and Jake's original posts - which are valid and based on facts and strong independent sources. Finally, for those that may point to one or two DF shows going on, such as Get in the Van 3. That's a pre-arranged show who's original pre-Soma deal is being honored.

Steve_C

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:59:39 +0700

doesn't even sound like there'll be cheap drinks - that was their original plan but they're not doing it now, right?

Steve_C

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:49:24 +0700

it's good this guy has come out said something, but there's a definite smell of BS. 1.2 million for 2 nights a week? seriously? plus, if it's now half price how come all those other guys are saying it's double and are so angry about it? if it was really half price, surely they'd all be supporting this? i studied math at high school and this guy's answers don't add up

Jason_Sch

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:44:22 +0700

Cheap drinks make all the difference...