No great live music venues in Jozi

No matter how much I experience it, I simply can’t get used to bad sound at live music events. It just spoils the entire thing for me. Add a mediocre venue to the mix and you’ll understand why I even pass on events where my favourite musos play.

Everytime there’s a jazzy/soulful artist they seem to get booked for Bassline (in Newtown). When I think of Bassline I think of stifling smoke in a crowded room and city centre/town (it’s close enough). It’s a pity because they book some amazing bands.

And how the hell do bad sound engineers keep getting regular gigs? In some countries, reputation is everything so sound engineers and musicians alike try to maintain a high level of professionalism. Not in Jozi. Sometimes the acoustics of the venue share the blame. If you’ve ever played at Roxy’s you’ll know what I mean.

I really wish that someone would build a venue that is 100% built for live music from the very first brick that is laid.

I guess that would also mean the bands would need to step up their game, too. Not a bad thing.