Something on concerts in Korea

Sean of sssighborgg has got a couple of interesting concert series going with more interesting ideas just waiting to get out. We’ve already addressed the Round Robin series here at Indieful ROK, and Mark posted on the Nosaj Thing mini-Korea tour (through booking company Super Color Super) at Korea Gig Guide a few days ago. Since I’ve been curious to learn more on what the live scenes of Korea are actually like, when given the opportunity I thought Sean would be just the guy to ask:

What sets the live scene in Seoul apart from that of other large cities in the world?
Seoul is bigger than San Francisco, but the scene is staggeringly underdeveloped, especially for all the technology and access to the internet at Korean’s fingertips. The resultant live scene is like a Of Mice and Men- brain-stunted, man-child brute who tips over a strawberry stand to get a breakfast snack. I just mean to say it’s a little paralyzed despite all the people and resources at hand.

What’s your impression of the live scene in the rest of Korea?
As crazed for vivid new music Seoul is, people elsewhere in Korea are 10 times worse/better. When ssighborggg gets out to Daegu and Busan or other bands get out there, people seem really interested and stoked on music. More bands should go outside of Seoul to see it.

What are some typical concert goer stereotypes in Korea?
This is a really good question for me to make an ass of myself:

* Camera dude who leaves his blog to go take pictures to add to his blog
* Wooooooo Guy (found worldwide)
* Sensitive brooding dude/lady who doesn’t say a word to anyone, occasionally discretely sends a text message every now and again in the corner.
* Scarf couple: they are older, know tons about music, like to chill out and wear scarves
* ESL Teacher Scenester- He’s seen it all back home, he’s an aspring X artist- never really made at that but still claims it as identity/means of ego broadcasting/security.
*Elf Girls- really pretty foreign/korean girls who look like elves and also play harps and piano more proficiently than the band on stage but are too humble to admit it.
*Party People!!! “This is the hot party Im not sure what we are hearing or watching but PartyPartyPartyBARRRRRFF (sadness)”

You actively work to make non-Korean bands and musicians meet and play with Korean acts. What would be your favorite combo?
I kind of don’t think of Korean versus foreign. I like good bands, like the better Korean acts and the international touring bands, I’m just a slave to my tastes. Logistically, I like it when international touring bands share a line-up with Korean acts.

The most ideal situation would be real connection between outside/inside projects, bands of mixed memberships or like a collaborative album/performance, with like both bands following in on their own aeshetics sound and not just following the lead of the others’. That type of creation will lead to more Korean bands leaving Korea.

3 Comments Something on concerts in Korea

  1. placidian

    When he mentions ‘camera dude’ I wonder if he’s referring to the Turning Gate blog. (incredible source for k-indie photos and music)
    As for ‘Elf Girls’, I wish i had some come out when i gig, haha.
    =)

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Stephen Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.