Musicians Fate When Canceling Mentas

Photo illustration (StockSnap / Pixabay)

In the article "The Journey of a Music Concert in Indonesia" we have drawn past memories of musical events in Indonesia. Continuing VOI's signature Series Writing, "Disturbing Music Events", we return to the case of the many music events in the country which are oversized. What will happen to the performers when disasters such as Lokatara Fest 2019, Jakarta Rock Space, and GIGI's birthday concert occur?

Rocky Antono almost left for Livespace SCBD Lot 8, South Jakarta to check out the Jakarta Rock Space venue. As God Bless manager he contacted the organizers. The answer from behind the phone was quite unexpected. That day Rocky learned that the distortion party that was supposed to bring God Bless with Edane, NTRL, and Jamrud was canceled.

Shocked, obviously. Moreover, that day the organizers could not explain the cause of the cancellation of the event. "I want to check the D-2 venue, keep calling the committee. Suddenly they got news of the event being canceled. The main obstacle is they don't want to say it," said Rocky when contacted by VOI, Wednesday, November 27.

Even so, God Bless and the organizers chose the leisurely path. The two parties are still in communication today to find the best solution. The organizer has promised to pay off in accordance with the clauses agreed in the cooperation contract.

"Other bands seem to have paid off. However, they promised us they would pay it off as well. And until now we are still communicating. We think they are really serious about working on this event, but maybe because of new players, they don't really master the terrain," said Rocky.

When asked about the loss suffered by God Bless due to this cancellation, Rocky said that his party had not suffered significant losses. The situation is actually quite safe - if you don't want to be called favorable - for both parties. Because, God Bless also happens to have no other offer to play on October 30th, the day Jakarta Rock Space is held.

Before the Jakarta Rock Space, GIGI's 25th anniversary concert scheduled in Yogyakarta was also canceled. VOI contacted GIGI drummer Gusti Hendy. He clarified that a different situation occurred at the GIGI concert. According to Hendy, the concert cancellation was based on an agreement between two parties. "The news that says the concert was canceled is not true. Because, in fact we agreed to postpone the concert because there were many things that we thought were uncomfortable," he said.

Armand Maulana, the vocalist, complements Hendy's statement. According to him, there were a number of concepts that were projected by GIGI and the team to be applied in this special concert. However, as preparations went on, GIGI and the team began to realize the difficulty in applying the concepts they had designed. As a result, the concert on November 2, which GIGI fans had been waiting for, was canceled.

"There are some parts that are not ready yet. Instead of being forced, we will instead walk, continue to fail. What are you doing? Because this is not a mock show, right? Hence, yesterday it was not canceled because of any problem. We feel 'what can we do if, for example, later when the show is not ready. Not ripe, ”said Armand to VOI, Wednesday, November 27.

Armand said there were no losses that DENTAL experienced. According to Armand, GIGI's preparation for the concert had only reached the training stage and the appointment of a technical team. If there are losses, at most in the form of personal disappointments. Because, in GIGI, every personnel always has a dream and a vision to apply special concepts at the GIGI milad moment.

Hendy added that the cancellation of GIGI's 25th anniversary concert was not a big problem. For him, the concert can be held at any time. The cancellation of a concert will not make GIGI's anniversary momentum which falls in March immediately disappear. "We could have won it before March next year," said Hendy chuckled.

Moreover, if there is any disappointment, GIGI tries to treat it by releasing the 25 years GIGI album box set. The box set consists of four versions of each personnel: Armand, Dewa Budjana, Thomas Ramdhan, and Hendy. The box set has been distributed and can be purchased via e-commerce and www.belialbumfisik.com.

"After all, our GIGI anniversary marks the release of the box set. No lost momentum."

Learn

This is not the first time GIGI has experienced a concert cancel. Previously, a similar incident occurred at the 17th anniversary. That time, the problems experienced by GIGI were the same: the concept was not accomplished. "If it's like that, it's actually fine. Because strength can judge ourselves too. So, when we want to show, our strength is still lacking, I think being forced to be messy too, "said Armand.

GIGI's experience and concert cancellations were completed by Hendy. Some time ago, the GIGI concert in Makassar was canceled. In fact, the promoter ran away. Because of this, GIGI and the team confiscated the promoter's belongings, including the car BPKB as compensation. An interesting view was conveyed by Hendy. According to him, GIGI never really bothered about canceling a concert because it had a strategy to anticipate it.

In each mentas contract, GIGI always stipulates a 50 percent payment clause and full payment of all payments one day before they appear. According to him, this is important to reduce the risk of cancellation from the viewer. "Moreover (the stage) outside the city. Very risky," said Hendy.

"GIGI is a band that doesn't really want to cancel or not. As long as the sign is in, we consider it as compensation if the event is canceled. We have never asked for more. After all, we haven't performed yet," he added.

Different things actually happened at the 2019 Lokatarafest last weekend. Young American musician, Peachy! jaw-dropping because Lokatara, the organizing music collective, is slow to complete cuan affairs. Peachy! also got angry on his Instagram account because the committee neglected to take care of his visa.

The case resulted in his passport being held and his flight was lost. Anger is clearly reasoned. But maybe Peachy! You can learn from GIGI, a band that has been doing music for 25 years, about how to circumvent these kinds of risks.

Next article: Sweet Promises in the Midst of a Music Event Business Chaos