Are students doing enough to support local music?

As the beloved Casbah closes its doors, McMaster students should be asking whether they are doing enough to support the city they call home

Hamilton’s music scene is in crisis. In the past few years, venues and music stores have been closing at an alarming rate.

These institutions are the fabric that hold the local music scene together. These spaces provide equipment and opportunities to meet and practice, and are places for musicians to perform for old fans and new. Without them, the music stops playing.

McMaster students, more than 35,000 strong, could offer a lifeline to the local scene through support and connection. But accomplishing this will require more than just individual enthusiasm.

Hamilton built a reputation for music over decades. But when Hamilton Musician, a website aimed at promoting and highlighting the local music scene, wrote: “Hamilton, Ontario is Canada’s best music city” in 2017, I don’t think they expected that all but one of the venues they listed as Hamilton’s most important would be closed in less than a decade.

The issues that the music scene faces are complex. ” . . . [venues are being] gentrified out, rents are going up, condos are being developed . . . the economics of just running a live music venue have become quite challenging,” said Jim Perdikoulias, owner and manager at Central Hamilton’s Corktown Pub in an interview with the Silhouette. The pub is one of Hamilton’s oldest music venues. Perdikoulias purchased the establishment 11 years ago and since then has built a deep relationship with the local music scene.

. . . [venues are being] gentrified out, rents are going up, condos are being developed . . . the economics of just running a live music venue have become quite challenging.

Jim Perdikoulias, Owner and General Manager
The Corktown Pub

Perdikoulias is in the rare position of owning the building and business outright and not renting his space. This is contrast to the Casbah, whose closure was caused by its landlord selling the building late last year.

Despite his relatively stable position, Perdikoulias expressed concern for the music scene in Hamilton. “there are a lot of people that don’t wish to pay for [live music] . . .  I’d like to have a vibrant music scene in the city, I know Hamilton is known for their live music,” said Perdikoulias.

The disappearance of what some might call his competitors has brought Perdikoulias no joy. He knew that the community needed multiple venues to support local artists. Regardless of whether any venue’s closure would bring him business, its effects on the community, Perdikoulias recognized, could only hurt him.

Perdikoulias recognized the positive effect that McMaster students could have in preserving the local music scene and helping it grow and expressed a desire to create a space where students can enjoy local talents. He also recognized the challenges students face in attending live music. “I know the challenges there are to paying your tuition, your rent and balancing that with entertainment,” said Perdikoulias.

While promoting local music to students may offer a short-term solution, building a sustained relationship with the student community that could bring in big crowds will require effort from both sides.

The good news for venues and music fans alike? Students are enthusiastic about live music if The Grind’s recent success running open mics is any indication. “[They] have been insanely successful, it’s been really touching actually. We’ve had completely packed houses both times,” said Paige Hannan, The Grind barista who put together the recent open mic event.

The issue for the future of local music is turning this enthusiasm into support in the community.

While the details offered were sparse, Hannan suggested: “we are looking forward in the new year to hopefully be creating another platform with CFMU,” said Hannan. These soon-to-be-announced plans should offer local music supporters some hope, but whether students can rise to the challenge of building a bridge between McMaster and the struggling local community is yet to be seen.

We are looking forward in the new year to hopefully be creating another platform with CFMU.

Paige Hannan, Barista and Open-Mic Organizer
The Grind

While impatient students might take it upon themselves to bring their friends to a local show this weekend, the work of building and strengthening the local music community is yet to be done.

Students can can play a big role in saving local music. Now it’s time for us to to step up and show up, because Hamilton’s show must go on.

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