Photo: Jacuzzi Boys performing at the Museum of Contemporary Art. By Diego Saldaña-Rojas/Opinion Director
Junette Reyes / Editor-in-Chief
Miami as a whole is a self-destructive city, particularly when its ever-changing music scene is taken into consideration.
Pretty Girls performing at the Vagabond. Junette Reyes/Editor-in-Chief
Venues come and go as they please for various reasons. The traditions and history that come with these venues are therefore rarely maintained in this city that is constantly on the move and constantly obsessed with erasing anything that is not youthful anymore.
The venues that do remain usually cater to a specific type of sound and audience, more likely the sound and audience that is now considered “hip” or “trendy.”
Off Orbit performing at Tobacco Road. Junette Reyes/Editor-in-Chief
Speaking of the audience, they are the most fickle, unreliable group of people you will ever come across. An entire culture has been established around what is popularly known as “Miami Time,” meaning everyone is always late to an event, leaving the bands and artists who open shows to play to nothing but a handful of people at times.
On another note regarding the crowd, I sometimes get the general vibe that Miami’s audience rarely goes out to these events to truly enjoy a band or artist for its art but rather more for the sake of going out, which is understandable. We live in a bustling city where there’s always something to do, so you’ll never be bored—if you’re the right age.
Plastic Pinks performing at Churchill’s Pub. Diego Saldaña-Rojas/Opinion Director
Deaf Poets performing at Churchill’s Pub. Diego Saldaña-Rojas/Opinion Director
Still, in a city where the arts are clearly so important, Miami’s music and its scene often seem to be cast aside by its residents. More often than not, light is usually only shed upon the dance culture within Miami, but Miami is full of so much more than a really good dance beat.
And this is all coming from someone who has only just begun to dip their toes into the water. I’m speaking as an observer, as someone who has actually come to know a lot of these artists who are trying their best to make something out of this city. And I’m with them, because I really feel this city is worth fighting for. It might have the ultimate formula to self-destruct, but Miami’s music scene is only just beginning to grow and the city and its people need to realize that and start supporting the individuals that make this place all the more bearable.
junette.reyes@fiusm.com
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