I'm back from Beauvais where Katatonia was supposed to perform yesterday evening.
Let's explain why it has turned to an enormous disillution.
The bands that were invited to this festival were 3 french bands+ocean size++novembre+katatonia+anathema. After a 250 km road trip, I arrived on the location of the gig. I was surprised by the low affluence ( 400 people for a 4 400 concert c hall ?) that was waiting on the car park for such a programming with quality bands.
Once in the concert hall, a rumour grew about Katatonia & Novembre having left the place by car, cause the organizers could not pay them before the show, only being able to give them a promise about the amount of money being paid later (I totally agree that these organizers just SUCK and I don't think they will be credible for more shows in the future, fuck them all).
I was totally angry about that situation. Ocean Size and Anathema shows were uncertain.
After the 3 french bands played their gig, Ocean Size guys entered the stage explaining the situation to the audience for the first time publicly. They waited for the audience to show their discontent to the oragnizers, but apart from yelling after them, I don't see what we were able to do in that situation, Having paid 3o euros to attend this show, I was as angry as them not to be able to see Katatonia in France for the fourth time of my life due to shitty organisation reasons.
Ocean Size finally played their gig and received an ovation from the audience who was conscious that the guys were actually playing for free, just to be honest with the people who came here.
The Anathema french tour promoter then came on the stage to explain Anathema was going to play the show anyway, even though he thought they won't be paid for that. And, oh my god
, Their show was just AWESOME. The totality of the audience was aware to share something unique. These guys just playing a hour and a half show just for the pleasure of sharing something with the audience. they received a non stopping ovation from core fans and they truly deserved it according to me. They have proved they were true music lovers and that they had a total respect for their fans.
Now that's the point. Respect for the fans. There were guys in the audience that came from 700 kms or even England to attend the Katatonia show. I perfecty understand that this situation (not being paid for playing) is unbearable for a band. Now I consider that when you're a musician who has decided to play gigs, the main reason for doing this should be pleasure to play for your fans, and not earning money out of this. I know it is a part of the business to be paid for playing. But I can't help being sincerely disappointed by Katatonia attitude. When I read on Blakkheim's page on the Katatonia website that his " worst Katatonia moment' is "A constant moment - the music business.", I think that the best way to prove that was to play that gig anyway, with explanations to the audience.
The people who were there were not responsible for the catastrophic work(!) of the organizers of the venue. I suppose that this decision was made in order to bother the organizers, but I don't think they were really embarassed by this decision (they didn't even have the respect to get on the stage and explaining clearly the situation, and to apologize for this, wankers...).
You, Katatonia members were cheated by the guy, but you cheated your fans much more. That's my point of view, sorry for that.
Now, please discuss it...
Let's explain why it has turned to an enormous disillution.
The bands that were invited to this festival were 3 french bands+ocean size++novembre+katatonia+anathema. After a 250 km road trip, I arrived on the location of the gig. I was surprised by the low affluence ( 400 people for a 4 400 concert c hall ?) that was waiting on the car park for such a programming with quality bands.
Once in the concert hall, a rumour grew about Katatonia & Novembre having left the place by car, cause the organizers could not pay them before the show, only being able to give them a promise about the amount of money being paid later (I totally agree that these organizers just SUCK and I don't think they will be credible for more shows in the future, fuck them all).
I was totally angry about that situation. Ocean Size and Anathema shows were uncertain.
After the 3 french bands played their gig, Ocean Size guys entered the stage explaining the situation to the audience for the first time publicly. They waited for the audience to show their discontent to the oragnizers, but apart from yelling after them, I don't see what we were able to do in that situation, Having paid 3o euros to attend this show, I was as angry as them not to be able to see Katatonia in France for the fourth time of my life due to shitty organisation reasons.
Ocean Size finally played their gig and received an ovation from the audience who was conscious that the guys were actually playing for free, just to be honest with the people who came here.
The Anathema french tour promoter then came on the stage to explain Anathema was going to play the show anyway, even though he thought they won't be paid for that. And, oh my god
, Their show was just AWESOME. The totality of the audience was aware to share something unique. These guys just playing a hour and a half show just for the pleasure of sharing something with the audience. they received a non stopping ovation from core fans and they truly deserved it according to me. They have proved they were true music lovers and that they had a total respect for their fans.Now that's the point. Respect for the fans. There were guys in the audience that came from 700 kms or even England to attend the Katatonia show. I perfecty understand that this situation (not being paid for playing) is unbearable for a band. Now I consider that when you're a musician who has decided to play gigs, the main reason for doing this should be pleasure to play for your fans, and not earning money out of this. I know it is a part of the business to be paid for playing. But I can't help being sincerely disappointed by Katatonia attitude. When I read on Blakkheim's page on the Katatonia website that his " worst Katatonia moment' is "A constant moment - the music business.", I think that the best way to prove that was to play that gig anyway, with explanations to the audience.
The people who were there were not responsible for the catastrophic work(!) of the organizers of the venue. I suppose that this decision was made in order to bother the organizers, but I don't think they were really embarassed by this decision (they didn't even have the respect to get on the stage and explaining clearly the situation, and to apologize for this, wankers...).
You, Katatonia members were cheated by the guy, but you cheated your fans much more. That's my point of view, sorry for that.
Now, please discuss it...
