Swing Republic @Ny V58
Aarhus is a vibrant city when it comes to cultural events and live music. I mean there is almost always something going on and there are plenty of venues and styles to chose from. Whenever you think you've discovered everything the city can give you, there's always something more, something different or something challenging. Yet the occasions of scoring a good concert for free (even if there are plenty of venues with low prices) are very rare. Last night I thought I hit jackpot when I stumbled upon a free electro-jazz gig with a DJ set follow-up in Ny V58, a newly opened venue which replaced one of the "hip" places in town, closed down because it went bankrupt.
I was curious to feel the vibe, the "night scene" outside my usual hangout places and, mostly, I was really anxious to spend my night listening to some awesome gig for free. (Well, they had a one-hour window, after that entrance fee was charged)
My friend and I managed to get there for the free entrance, and boy was I surprised to notice that we were the first ones there. (Everybody likes free stuff, I mean...right!?) On the upside, they did not force you into leaving your stuff at the wardrobe, like other places do. But man, the place was desolate. There are some places which look cool even empty, yet this was not the case.
The next 45 minutes actually showed me why the old V58 went bankrupt and the new one will probably follow soon... The prices are somewhat high, even for Denmark. Especially compared to some of the other venues. But hey, it's a "hip" place...even though it looks nothing like one. It might have just been me last night, but the place lacks some serious personality. Not that the other venues are any inspiration, but damn if you want to charge more for drinks, it better look nice. Which it doesn't, really.
But beyond the dull atmosphere and the expensive booze, the worst part of the evening was the music. While the artists seriously deserved a good atmosphere, the 30 people in the room were just not enough for what followed. The last thing you want to fuck up at a concert is the sound. And that's pretty much what happened last night. Wile the jazz-swing-electro modulations were a bit too loud for the size of the room and the amount of people in it (who were doing anything but dancing) the lead singer had a pretty bad time making herself heard. And boy did she have a great jazz/blues voice. And a really vibrant personality. Yet the most she could get out of the audience was some squirming movements while trying to focus on hearing her from under the boost of the instrumental. Too bad.
Trying to pretend you have a party going on when you don't it's probably the most pathetic thing you can do at an event. I've tried it before, and it's not fun.
Last night just showed how a good gig cannot save an evening. How expensive stuff doesn't make your place special. How refurbishing a place and sticking the word "Ny" (new) in front of an old brand does not guarantee quality. How no matter how good the artist, if the event organisers sucks you might just as well call it quits.
Maybe some people liked it. Maybe I wasn't in the mood. Maybe I am just too picky with my events. But boy I have never been happier that I have not paid for an event in a looong time. Some places should have a "money back guarantee", especially if they end up fucking up your Saturday night. At least this time it was for free.