October 9th is a long, long way away. That's when the CBGB Fest is scheduled to happen. Last years event was far from a grand hurrah. Although we did not attend, reports of it being far too scattered and erratic pretty much made us wish we had attended. Surely an event with such a title is a glorious thing for us old timers who did time in the original club and the newbies who really wish they had.
Imagine my surprise when I found that the Fest starting following us on Twitter (you can too- _rocknyc_). This got me interested to check it out again and although it is VERY early the claims are pretty big and hmmm daringly similar to another infamous NYC Fest…
With the addition of 'panels'. Read this:
"The 2013 CBGB Festival will present two days of music business/industry veterans of various panels that will be educating/informing/guiding young artists on how to succeed in today's ever-changing music business. Industry insiders from Agencies, Record Labels, Digital Marketing, Songwriters, Publishers, Promoters, Club Bookers/Owners, Journalists, Managers and other music business veterans will make these two days not to be missed for any artist or music business veteran. Panels will be 40 minutes, followed by 10-minute Q&A sessions"
OK guys..say it with me.. its …mini punk rock CMJ, isn't it? That's a bold undertaking. There claims to be over 100 films, 700 bands and these panels of ..professionals. I will be keeping my eye on this and I will certainly make sure we promote it properly if its worth promoting.
This is a tricky endeavor .CBGBs is sacred in many peoples eyes. It has been watered down to a trendy t-shirt but for those of us who lined up on that filthy pavement or sat against that wall every Sunday its nearly holy ground. I don't know how it can be honored appropriately and I'm really really worried about the upcoming film But then again, the kids today, they'll eat it with a spoon.