Sydney Bands and the huge potential for performing in China

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A huge market for Australian bands is emerging in China with their voracious appetite for all things cultural, in particular, music and dance. A popular Sydney jazz band called Viva the band has performed in music festivals in Taiwan for two consecutive years at the Tainan International Chihsi Arts festival and the Kenting international folk song festival, where they were showcased in street parades, a welcome by the mayor of Tainan plus a series of concerts and television performances throughout Taiwan. The band has been invited to perform in mainland China in 2006. The band have been invited for single concert appearances in China involving return transportation from Australia, accommodation and good band fees.

It is not necessary for Australian bands to perform “Australiana” music, the audiences are interested in the style and energy of performance and are responsive to a mixture of: jazz, swing, latin, gypsy jazz , salsa, French , Spanish Songs, cabaret and classic show tunes.

The local Chinese people rarely speak English however they enjoy, and usually understand, the band leader speaking in English. A typical scenario for an Australian band fronting up for a performance:

After a short setting up time to a highly sophisticated PA system complete with a barrage of radio mikes, the Chinese compere spends about 5 minutes explaining the “Viva from Australia band”. After considerable audience applause, the compere gestures to the band to start:

The band leader steps up to the mike and says “Dar ja how” (hello everybody) this is applauded vigorously. The band leader then says in English “we are Viva from Australia, we will play for you a great variety of music styles because Australia is a multicultural country with over a hundred different nationalities living there. Australia is about the size of the USA and has a population about the same as Taiwan, the music we will play to you will be a great variety so you can hear some of Australia’s different cultures... share share (thank you) …vigorous applause. The band then presents a 40 minute performance. The audience responds loudly with clapping and English words “Viva we love you”.

Viva the band are very popular in the Sydney entertainment scene, performing at venues at Darling Harbour, the Australian Maritime Museum for “Discovery After Dark”, the Miss World ball at the Four Points by Sheraton, the Sydney Royal Easter Show and “ Jazz in the City” at QVB. The band also perform at jazz festivals and major music events including: Newcastle Jazz Festival, Morpeth Jazz Festival, Manly International Jazz Festival , Kiama Jazz Festival, Illawarra Jazz festival, Central Coast Jazz Leagues, Gold Coast Jazz Festival, Thredbo Jazz Festival and Sydney Olympic Park and Darling Harbour music events. The band is very economical and is very popular at private parties and functions. More details at www.aband.info (broadband) www.musicians.net.au (dial up) or type “ Viva the band” in google, ninemsn or yahoo search.

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