Website: http://china.musicdish.com
Newsletter: http://musicdishchina.fanbridge.com
By Eric de Fontenay (Founder & Publisher)
I picked up my issue of the Monacle to find a survey on Hong Kong, "the bustling world city of Asia." Considering I'm flying there next month for the Music Matters conference (aren't you?), I tore straight for the section, hoping to find some cool underground clubs or read about someone redefining the rules of Hong Kong's music scene. Perhaps they would mention the "Make Some Noise, Hong Kong" campaign to petition the government to change its Noise Control Ordinance in recognition to the value that outdoor events offer the city. Or Chris B., co-founder of the Underground HK, which has been supporting the live music scene and developing independent bands for the past 6 years.
No... actually, there was nothing. I mean NOTHING, not one word, let alone a blurb about music in the entire survey! There was something about the film industry, art market, even performing arts, but not a peep on music.
As a consequence, Macau is also starting to displace Hong Kong as the destination for international big-name artist to perform. It also helps that the bureaucratic process and costs to secure permits and licenses for an event in Macau is a fraction of what one would face in Hong Kong - remember the little dig I made earlier about burdensome noise control regulations. Add to this the growing cultural importance of cities like Beijing and Shanghai as well as the brain/talent-drain they are causing - can you hear that sucking sound? - and Hong Kong is in danger of being left in the dust, a position it is not very accustomed too.
But it doesn't stop at China. Hans Ebert, Chairman and CEO of music-based entertainment company We-Enhance, warns in a bruising article called 'The Problem With HKTVB And The Hong Kong Music Industry' that "Singapore has a more creative and thriving entertainment industry, which would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Also, venues like the Power Station, the efforts of the Singapore Government to turn the city into a global media hub, the powerhouse that is Mediacorp, the creativity of its bars and restaurants and clubs are all contributing to the well-being of its music industry."
Hans Ebert thinks the Hong Kong entertainment world needs a facelift... and a miracle. Maybe the Monacle was just being a little too bourgeois. Stay tune for my report from Asia's capital in late May...
Do you have an opinion on the subject? Leave a comment on our of our profiles... or just say hi!
No comments:
Post a Comment