29 September,2011 06:57 AM IST | | Sheetal Sukhija
Local band fakes entry stamp to help friends gain free access to a gig, embattled music fraternity says the incident will weaken their fight to keep live music alive
An embarrassing case of a local music band making rubber stamps to help their friends gain free entry at a gig last week, has infuriated the music fraternity across the city.
The development came as a bolt from the blue for the music fraternity, which is battling against the cops to keep the live music scene alive, after an 'uncalled for' ban on live performances.
The incident has now questioned the integrity of the community. On Friday, many new bands performed alongside established ones at Kyra.
However, bouncers checking audiences and their entry stamps revealed that many tried to get in using a fake stamp on their arms.
"We have made it clear that we are here to promote artists and not to generate revenue.
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So our prices are nominal. At the gig, we caught many people trying to gain entry as members of a particular band that had faked our official rubber stamp to help their friends enter for free.
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The music fraternity needs to stand united and if we want talented musicians to come up, then people need to show some integrity," said Rajeev Kumar, Proprietor, Kyra (Indiranagar, 100 ft rd).
The otherwise passive music fraternity has criticised the incident in unison.
"As organisers, we get into trouble not just momenetarily, but our credibility also gets dented when such instances come to light. We work really hard to put together such gigs to promote music in the city.
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Our intention is not to make money and the amount collected as entry fee goes to the venue and the performing bands.
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People should respect the bands that are playing and this goes against the spirit of music," said Salman Syed, a prominent music manager.
Cheap thrill
Meanwhile, other musicians and fans have strongly condemned the band that indulged in the act.
"If people cannot afford Rs 300 to watch good bands perform, it is shameful. They could have urged the gig organiser and they would have been let in for free.
We are all working hard towards putting up a strong case in front of the cops to keep the live music scene alive.
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To see that corruption exists within the community itself is shocking and sad," said Sibharshis Dutta, a musician.
However, the organiser of the gig watered down the issue.
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He added that there was no need to blow the issue out of proportion, as the band in question has already been warned of the consequences of repeating the same mistake.
