I Went to 214 Shows Last Year. Here’s What I Learned.
Look, I love this city. I’ve been writing about its entertainment scene for 22 years, and let me tell you, it’s changed. Not always for the better. And the underground music scene? It’s in trouble. Big trouble.
I’m not just saying that because I’m some old fogey who misses the ’90s. I’m saying it because I was at a show last Tuesday at this tiny, sweaty venue in Brooklyn—let’s call it The Basement—and it was half empty. Half empty! For a band that’s actually pretty good, honestly.
I asked the booker, a guy named Marcus, what was going on. He said, “Man, it’s tough out there. People would rather stay home and stream some crap on their phones than come out and see live music.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But It’s Not Just Streaming. It’s Everything.
It’s not just streaming killing the scene. It’s the cost of living, the cost of venues, the cost of, well, everything. I talked to a colleague named Dave over coffee at the place on 5th about this. He said, “You know, back in the day, you could open a venue with $87 and a dream. Now? You need a million bucks and a miracle.”
And the audiences? They’re shrinking. I mean, I get it. Rent is $2,140 a month for a shoebox apartment. Why spend $25 on a ticket and another $30 on drinks when you can just vibe at home?
But here’s the thing. Live music is an experience. It’s not just about the songs. It’s about the energy, the crowd, the moment. You can’t get that from a streaming service. And that’s what we’re losing.
So What Do We Do About It?
First, we need to make venues affordable. That means city support, tax breaks, something. Because right now, it’s just not sustainable. I mean, I went to a conference in Austin last year, and they had this whole program to support local music. Why can’t we do that here?
Second, we need to make it easier for people to discover new music. I don’t mean algorithms. I mean real, human curation. Like, remember when you could walk into a record store and the guy behind the counter would recommend something based on your taste? We need more of that.
And third, we need to make going out feel special again. I’m not saying we should bring back the whole velvet rope scene, but maybe venues could offer more than just music. Like, I don’t know, a home products review comparison night or something. Okay, maybe not that. But you get the idea.
A Tangent: The Time I Saw a Rat at a Show
Speaking of venues, remember that time I saw a rat at a show at this place in the East Village? It was about three months ago, at 11:30pm. The band was playing, and this giant rat just waltzes across the stage. And the crowd? We cheered. I mean, it was disgusting, but it was also kinda hilarious. And it was a moment you can’t replicate at home. That’s the kind of thing we’re losing.
But Let’s Be Real. It’s Not All Doom and Gloom.
There are still great shows happening. There are still passionate musicians and dedicated fans. But we need to fight for them. We need to make sure they have a place to play and a crowd to play to.
So, what’s the solution? I’m not sure but maybe it’s a combination of city support, better discovery tools, and a renewed sense of community. Or maybe it’s just a matter of convincing people to put down their phones and go out and see some live music.
Honestly, I don’t have all the answers. But I know this: if we don’t do something, we’re gonna lose something special. And that’s not something I’m willing to committ to.
About the Author: Jane Doe has been a senior editor at New York City FM for over two decades. She’s seen the city’s entertainment scene evolve, and she’s not always happy with what she sees. When she’s not writing, she’s probably at a concert or arguing with her friends about the best pizza slice in the city.
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