A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE GROWING POTENTIAL OF MUSIC TOURISM
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Music Tourism Discussion
This blog has been created as a place for sharing opinions and issues in the development of music tourism and how its different forms can influence tourists to travel to certain destinations. Your thoughts and views on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
It's very unfortunate that we can't agree to share a lot of our heritage here, it seems like a battle to 'own' aspects of it rather than to embrace it as a whole. For example, we have a beautiful dialect of the Irish language that is unique in it's influence from Scots Gaelic, and a rich and well preserved Ulster Scots musical tradition but we seem to be unable to enjoy both. We don't share these with each other so how is a visitor meant to experience them except maybe from the window of a black taxi?
I think that this is probably why our city centre is full of 'magic jugs' and not so many tributes to Seamus Heaney or Van.
Until we can get that right it's going to be an uphill struggle.
i feel like every place is famous for something - milan for la scala, rome for colloseum, liverpool for beatles. belfast has a titanic so lets just leave it as it is
Music SHOULD be a way to break down barriers and bring people together. However, I think that until we put the past behind us and make the effort to promote an eclectic mix of music/bands, which would attract the young and the old from across the world, we are going to be stuck on that roundabout for a while yet!
If they want to make it a success I think Belfast should put more of an effort in the promotion of Music Tourism to allow everyone to be aware of events regarding any type of music which interests them.
As I mentioned in a previous question, I feel that with so many tourists (over 9 million in 2009) that music tourism in Belfast has the potential to grow bigger. If financial backing is used appropriately them Belfast could be seen as a destination for music fans around the world.
I believe that tourism in Belfast has the potential to grow with the correct initiatives and promotions. I plan to visit Belfast in the future and would love to be able to attend many more musical events.
Advertising is the key, the only way to find out about events is to pick up a brouchure from the various venues or trawl the internet. Belfast is great at promoting Titanic and the areas in the city associated with that. But as a destination for fun possibly not so good.
The showband era followed by the so called Irish country music singers set the local music scene back by about 1000 years. Even though I was being paid at the time, I had to endure a showband gig a few years ago, appalling to say the least. And as for the Titanic, it sunk, it's not a great advert for Belfast. We can do better, instead of InvestNI throwing cash at themselves and businesses that even the dogs in the street know will never survive, put the money into the local music scene. We have many talented musicians in our midst, they need to be supported. People come here for the craic and the booze, give them great local music as well, and I don't mean diddly dee - it's enough to drive anybody to drink.
Real Road Racing Motorcycle Blog by Barbiegirl Northern Ireland http://www.realroadracingblog.com/
Money talks - AND walks. Investment in cultural events - that embrace ALL aspects of Belfast culture - especially musical - would be a huge hit in the long run as well as a further way to help us cross all the lines that divide us. Our differences DO matter - but our common heritage matters more. Invest in bringing our best talent home as well as promoting our younger talent and the rest will be history.
The huge increase in music-related festivals in Belfast has been great for the city, and often encompasses so much more than music too. Culture is vital to the prosperity of the economy here, and needs investment on a par with other European countries.
I really enjoyed reading these comments and having the opportunity to comment myself. This is really a very accessible and interesting way to have these types of discussions.
the many images both positive and negative we see in local culture and tradition of our country as a whole will play a part in influencing how well these event are supported. Nobody will attend if they think they will have to fight their way in and back our again. This would be true of any destination.
If Belfast could develop a musical niche in the way Memphis has Blues, Nashville has Country or New Orleans has Jazz it would have incredible musical tourist opportunities. For example, Belfast was known world wide for Traditional Irish music it would be overrun with Americans wearing Aran Sweaters with white trainers and big cameras. Then when they were here we could help them find their ancestors too!
It's very unfortunate that we can't agree to share a lot of our heritage here, it seems like a battle to 'own' aspects of it rather than to embrace it as a whole. For example, we have a beautiful dialect of the Irish language that is unique in it's influence from Scots Gaelic, and a rich and well preserved Ulster Scots musical tradition but we seem to be unable to enjoy both. We don't share these with each other so how is a visitor meant to experience them except maybe from the window of a black taxi?
ReplyDeleteI think that this is probably why our city centre is full of 'magic jugs' and not so many tributes to Seamus Heaney or Van.
Until we can get that right it's going to be an uphill struggle.
I think we should enjoy the music. And culture of both traditions.
ReplyDeletei feel like every place is famous for something - milan for la scala, rome for colloseum, liverpool for beatles. belfast has a titanic so lets just leave it as it is
ReplyDeleteMusic SHOULD be a way to break down barriers and bring people together. However, I think that until we put the past behind us and make the effort to promote an eclectic mix of music/bands, which would attract the young and the old from across the world, we are going to be stuck on that roundabout for a while yet!
ReplyDeleteIf they want to make it a success I think Belfast should put more of an effort in the promotion of Music Tourism to allow everyone to be aware of events regarding any type of music which interests them.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned in a previous question, I feel that with so many tourists (over 9 million in 2009) that music tourism in Belfast has the potential to grow bigger. If financial backing is used appropriately them Belfast could be seen as a destination for music fans around the world.
ReplyDeleteI believe that tourism in Belfast has the potential to grow with the correct initiatives and promotions. I plan to visit Belfast in the future and would love to be able to attend many more musical events.
ReplyDeleteAdvertising is the key, the only way to find out about events is to pick up a brouchure from the various venues or trawl the internet. Belfast is great at promoting Titanic and the areas in the city associated with that. But as a destination for fun possibly not so good.
ReplyDeleteThe showband era followed by the so called Irish country music singers set the local music scene back by about 1000 years. Even though I was being paid at the time, I had to endure a showband gig a few years ago, appalling to say the least. And as for the Titanic, it sunk, it's not a great advert for Belfast. We can do better, instead of InvestNI throwing cash at themselves and businesses that even the dogs in the street know will never survive, put the money into the local music scene. We have many talented musicians in our midst, they need to be supported. People come here for the craic and the booze, give them great local music as well, and I don't mean diddly dee - it's enough to drive anybody to drink.
ReplyDeleteReal Road Racing Motorcycle Blog by Barbiegirl Northern Ireland http://www.realroadracingblog.com/
Money talks - AND walks. Investment in cultural events - that embrace ALL aspects of Belfast culture - especially musical - would be a huge hit in the long run as well as a further way to help us cross all the lines that divide us. Our differences DO matter - but our common heritage matters more. Invest in bringing our best talent home as well as promoting our younger talent and the rest will be history.
ReplyDeleteThe huge increase in music-related festivals in Belfast has been great for the city, and often encompasses so much more than music too. Culture is vital to the prosperity of the economy here, and needs investment on a par with other European countries.
ReplyDeleteHere is an interesting link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/stuartbailie/2011/03/weve_got_our_mtv.shtml
I really enjoyed reading these comments and having the opportunity to comment myself. This is really a very accessible and interesting way to have these types of discussions.
ReplyDeletePromotion of music in Belfast and supporting local talent I think is exciting and important for the Belfast brand.
ReplyDeletethe many images both positive and negative we see in local culture and tradition of our country as a whole will play a part in influencing how well these event are supported. Nobody will attend if they think they will have to fight their way in and back our again. This would be true of any destination.
ReplyDeleteIf Belfast could develop a musical niche in the way Memphis has Blues, Nashville has Country or New Orleans has Jazz it would have incredible musical tourist opportunities. For example, Belfast was known world wide for Traditional Irish music it would be overrun with Americans wearing Aran Sweaters with white trainers and big cameras. Then when they were here we could help them find their ancestors too!
ReplyDelete