The Fetid Swamp

 

The Fetid Swamp

So we’re finally getting back to normal, but it’ll never be the same again. Although I haven’t played much of an active part in anything resembling “a scene” for a while, I still feel part of it as a consequence of being passionate about the music and the culture. I’ve never made a living from it so don’t give a toss about the money, but many are financially invested in it. Some in the right way and some not. Trying to distinguish between those for whom it is a labour of love and those who see it as adding to their bank balance is difficult sometimes. Both are valid positions. No one should be expected to do this for free if they are putting the hours in and bringing joy to others. A labour of love can also pay if gone about the right way. Of course what has rubbed lots of people up the wrong way is the self-centred and mercenary position of those who have taken advantage of the selflessness of others to play parties over the last year or so in areas of the world where the rules are lax and allow for exploitation. The overriding context for what I’m trying to express an opinion on here is plague raves and those who have promoted and played them. The irony, (but we shouldn’t be surprised), is that those involved  rarely need the money. While those who are being more considerate of others often do. As well as the DJs and promoters, there are also the party goers, the “international jet set” of rich kids and globe trotting flotsam who turn up at these events. This isn’t a cheap past time and reeks of privilege and disconnection.  Things are rarely as black and white as this argument. However, those on the receiving end of it live in such a rarified bubble that there are problems with the message getting through.

I’m was very much struck by some of Man Power’s recent Instagram posts:

“If you do a small party in The UK with good sound/nice people, and you think that booking me will help you fill it, then DM and I’ll come down and play for you based on whatever fair share will make it work for everyone (no minimum fee). Im bored of greedy DJs now.”

“That Brand This Party

• has a community
• friends go to see each other
• low priced

majority of income shared between all income shared fairly with 

a few people everyone that’s involved

loads of hype, sometimes some amazing loads of amazing music

music sometimes some hype

“Some of us want to be consumers and some of us want to take part in a culture. 
Both are valid choices, but some people may be understandably mistaken as to which one they’re actually doing.

We want to start doing something that is equitable and sustainable. Something which pushes a community agenda above a profit margin AND which actually represents an underground culture.
Your favourite cola is probably not underground, nor probably is any megastar that’s charging a fortune for advance tickets. It’s still fine to like either of them, but it’s best to know what you’re consuming and that “other colas are readily available”.
If your interests are geared towards the more exceptional, and you’ve ever felt a little bit different to the mainstream, then we’re making a regular space where we think you’ll feel at home.”

“We want to create a community not a customer base. We want to create something that is an affordable and fair exchange of value that looks after and nurtures talent within our region and which allows us to share exceptional musical voices from inside and outside of the North East, in a way that remains affordable and doesn’t perpetuate the ever growing 1% culture that has seen the corporatisation of club culture in a way that leads to over inflated egos being paid astronomical amounts at the expense of all other participants on both sides of the booth.
Being a community also involves being part of your local cultural and social landscape and trying to make it a better and fairer place as a whole.
We’re being lied to and told that bigger always means better. It doesn’t.
Famous doesn’t always mean good too. Mass entertainment is fine but it doesn’t need to be conflated with this special thing we have that was born behind closed doors in dark rooms.
Brands aren’t going anywhere anytime soon and you will still have plenty of options to see online celebrities DJ in a hangar / field / stadium (delete as applicable) that’s just not what we’re offering.
If you’re interested in being part of an ongoing counter culture for outsiders that welcomes people who are similarly different and differently similar then we think you will feel very welcome at what we’re going to be doing.
We intend to invest our time and effort in to nurturing the next generation of local talent. There’s a skill and outlook exchange between experienced and new DJs that benefits in both directions.
As we develop we’ll also be committing time and resources into programs which help develop skills, level privilege and lead to employment for people wanting to work within dance music.”

I have also been struck by the recent article in Resident Advisor, entitled:

“Is It Safe To Rave In Zanzibar?”

An article of great vapidity which sits on the hedge, in spite of highlighting the very real and ongoing problems Tanzania is facing as a result of the pandemic.

“Sabira and Manuela, who are from France and Canada respectively, relocated to Zanzibar in 2020. They host the party series Lost Tribe Zanzibar, which launched in January 2021. "We hadn't been to Zanzibar before but when we arrived, the white sands, the beaches and the vibe and the people is why we stayed," Sabira told RA. The pair, who have held five Lost Tribe Zanzibar events so far, explained the concept behind the parties. "We really want to keep this mixed culture of an African vibe and a European vibe," Sabira explained. "We really want to have something that is unique." When asked about the entry fee, both admitted that their tickets priced most locals out of their parties. The solution has been to offer entry in exchange for work. "We invite people and in exchange, maybe they work one hour at the bar," Manuela said. "We want their vibe also." As for safety protocols, Sabira and Manuela said they always have a first-aid kit on site and limit each party's capacity to 120 people. There was no mention of masks, temperature checks or proof of vaccination. The pair were instead keen to emphasise the importance of partying for people's mental health. "It's really important to respect other people's lives regarding Covid-19," Manuela explained, "and it's also a long, long pandemic."

The article concludes with this paragraph:

“So is it safe to rave in Zanzibar? Bomani is increasingly conflicted. "The question is: how do we all do better in a situation like this? I don't know, it's tough." 

Which kind of sums up the lack of backbone and position this piece has. No doubt RA think it’s for the individual to make up their own mind, but I call it a lack of direction and leadership. Something that we’ve become used to in The UK over the last year or so and designed to facilitate an abdication of responsibility if it all goes tits up. No wonder they don’t allow comments any more. No doubt the glibbest piece of writing I’ve yet seen on that site, which is becoming less relevant by the minute.

Man Power & RA: compare and contrast