Questions were raised at Thursday’s Dunedin City Council meeting about the ‘‘appropriateness’’ of the live music at last year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, which had included a focus on local and emerging artists such as SEEK HELP!
The high school feminist punk band has since been chosen to open for Foo Fighters in Christchurch next year.
Asked how this year’s celebrations would support emerging artists, staff said they were investigating if younger and local bands could be highlighted ‘‘through other avenues, rather than at next year’s New Year’s’’.
Save Dunedin Live Music spokesman David Bennett said the council had done a ‘‘stellar’’ job so far at platforming the city’s youth music scene and did not want them to get ‘‘gun-shy’’.
‘‘I believe the council should have the courage to stand behind local musicians and continue to put them on events like New Year’s Eve,’’ Mr Bennett said.
Feedback on last year’s celebrations showed 61.2% of the 432 respondents were dissatisfied to some degree.
Mr Bennett said there had been a ‘‘knee-jerk reaction’’ by the council to some of the feedback.
The countdown to the New Year had been particularly underwhelming which had facilitated a disproportionately large number of negative comments.
Local music was ‘‘caught in the crossfire’’.
The fact SEEK HELP! had been named as a support to the Foo Fighters illustrated how sometimes those who disproportionately complained about events did not necessarily have their finger on the pulse when it came to music, he said.
Councillors voted 7-6 for the celebrations this year to be ‘‘a family-friendly event’’ in the Octagon with city activations, a headline covers band and midnight fireworks display.
At the meeting, Cr Doug Hall suggested holding two separate events; one for adults and another with ‘‘some more family friendly bands’’.
There were ‘‘some issues with appropriateness with the bands’’ on New Year’s Eve last year, he said.
Cr Andrew Simms said feedback he received showed demand for ‘‘a decent covers band’’.
‘‘We need a decent band playing well-known, popular bangers.’’
Mr Bennett took issue with what he said were suggestions that only covers bands should be allowed.
‘‘I’d be open to changes to the event, but the idea seemed to be disregarding the inclusion of music and youth music in particular, which I don’t believe is appropriate.’’
Cr Hall believed his comments were taken out of context and said he was not criticising youth music or local musicians.
‘‘Dunedin’s music scene is something the city should be proud of, and I strongly support continuing to showcase local artists at civic events.’’
When referring to appropriateness, he said he was talking about ‘‘programming different parts of an evening so they match the audience at the time and the setting’’.
‘‘That’s standard event planning, not a judgement on the value or quality of youth bands.’’
Cr Simms also believed elements of the meeting were taken out of context.
Community feedback had overwhelmingly centred on two missing aspects of the celebrations: fireworks and a headline event.
‘‘Council event organisers are considering how to incorporate youth bands into the event in an appropriate way that will allow them to play to their audience and be part of the celebrations.’’
At the meeting, Cr Steve Walker urged councillors to ‘‘not throw the baby out with the bath water, please’’.
‘‘That relates to the bands that played last New Year’s Eve; the youth bands.’’
