Foreign artists dominated local music stages in 1996<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The year l996 was an anticlimactic year for the
\ndomestic music scene when compared to the previous year, which
\nwas filled with a series of government-sponsored music fanfares.<\/p>\n
In l995, when Indonesia celebrated its 50th independence
\nanniversary, the government, as well as the private sector were
\nwilling to sponsor large-scale local music performances,
\nincluding rock, pop, dangdut (a blend of Indian and Malayan style
\nmusic), jazz and classical concerts, throughout the year. Other
\nart performances also received special attention from both
\nparties.<\/p>\n
But the golden celebration is over. There are no more
\ngovernment-sponsored festivals or mass-music gatherings. Again,
\nlocal musicians have to rely on private companies to help finance
\ntheir music performances. Even the organizer of the country's
\nannual jazz fiesta, Jak Jazz, almost failed to hold the event due
\nto financial constraint.<\/p>\n
It is discouraging to see this gloomy situation in the
\nnational music industry. Local artists have to compete with their
\nforeign counterparts, who have high-selling points and are more
\nappealing to audiences.<\/p>\n
Local artists, however, should not be discouraged. They are
\nstill attracting attention. Last June, a reunion of old bands,
\nincluding Koes Plus, Panbers, D'Lloyd, Favourites and the Mercy's
\npresented a memorable concert that drew about 40,000 people to
\nthe Ancol Circuit in North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Compared to a concert by the U.S. band Def Leppard that only
\nmanaged to attract 5,000 fans, the "oldies" show was a success.
\nThe bands, which were popular in early l970s, were able to
\nattract teenage fans to the venue.<\/p>\n
Other outstanding concerts were held by KLA Project who
\npresented an acoustic show at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta in the
\nmiddle of the year. Leo Kristi and his group also performed their
\nhigh-quality folk music for their fanatic fans at the same venue
\nlast weekend.<\/p>\n
Artist-politician Guruh Soekarnopoetra, the youngest son of
\nIndonesia's first president, launched a new album titled NTXTC,
\nno to ecstasy, an experiment in digital music composition. But,
\nthis was nothing special compared to his previous creations, such
\nas Guruh Gypsy.<\/p>\n
Despite all the shortcomings, Indonesian artists have actually
\na strong foothold in local music scene. Of course, we must admit
\nthat some concerts held by foreign artists could widen their
\nmusical know-how. A number of prominent concerts in l996 included
\nCarlos Santana, Canadian Alanis Morissette and Toto.<\/p>\n
The year l996 was opened in February with a post-punk concert
\nby alternative music group Green Day, at the Jakarta Convention
\nCenter. The concert attracted more than 3,000 ecstatic fans.
\nGreen Day has become a phenomenon in the international music
\nindustry, offering an alternative music which blends neo-punk
\nrock, heavy metal and pop. Their alternative music captures the
\nspirit of a supposedly apathetic young generation of the l990s.
\nDisillusioned , self-deprecating and bored color the lives of
\ntoday's youth, which are perfectly reflected in many of the
\nband's songs and imageries.<\/p>\n
Originally a punk band from Berkeley, California, Green Day
\nwas voted by readers and critics of Rolling Stone music magazine
\nas the Best New Band of l995. Its album Dookie, which has sold
\neight million copies, was the best album of that year.<\/p>\n
The influence of the band in terms of its music genre and
\nfashion style to the youth worldwide was immense. Among
\nIndonesia's youth, alternative-fashion accessories are now the
\nhip-tag to wear. This neo-punk tag is currently defined by dyed
\nhair.<\/p>\n
Green Day's successful concert, unfortunately, was followed by
\na riot. Thousands of fans who failed to get concert tickets were
\ninvolved in a fierce battle against the police. It reminded
\npeople of a similar brawl at the l993 Metallica concert held at
\nLebak Bulus Stadium, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
This is another lesson for local concert organizers trying to
\nmanage international-scale music events more properly. High
\nticket prices have always triggered public unrest. Unless the
\norganizers improve their professionalism, Indonesia's reputation
\nfor holding such international music events is questionable.<\/p>\n
In June, British rock group Def Leppard performed at the
\nformer Ancol Circuit, North Jakarta, before 5,000 hard-rock fans;
\nfar from the targeted 50,000 attendance goal.<\/p>\n
The concert to promote the group's newest album, Slang, was a
\nfailure. The 3,500 policemen, 60 paramedics, an on-site hospital
\nand an ambulance prepared by the organizers, overwhelmed the
\nsmall audience.<\/p>\n
Another American group, Manhattan Transfer, presented good
\nmusic to limited audiences in several of the country's cities.<\/p>\n
After 24 years in the music world, as one of America's best-
\nknown vocal groups, Manhattan Transfer is still in command of its
\nsolid and highly aesthetic vocal technique.<\/p>\n
The group produced 19 albums over 24 years. Manhattan
\nTransfer's concerts in Indonesia, organized by Buena Produktama,
\nwere part of their Asian tour to promote their latest album
\nTonin.<\/p>\n
Manhattan Transfer's performances were followed by rock band
\nToto, which made a successful comeback when it appeared before
\nnearly 6,000 people at the Jakarta Convention Center.<\/p>\n
Established in l977, this Californian group has produced nine
\nalbums Toto (l978), Hydra (l980), Turn Back (l981) Toto IV
\n(l982), Isolation (l984),Fahrenheit (l986), The Seventh One
\n(l988), Kingdom of Desire (l992) and their latest, Tambu (l995).<\/p>\n
In May, Carlos Santana, a veteran rock guitarist, performed at
\nthe Jakarta Convention Center. The concert rounded off a series
\nof international superstars' performances in the capital,
\nincluding Phil Collins and Bon Jovi.<\/p>\n
Santana, a living legend from the flower power generation,
\nstill delivers music of quality that captivates a much younger
\ngeneration who is now drawn to the din of rock, thrash, grunge
\nand rap.<\/p>\n
Santana launched his first album Santana in October, l969.
\nSince then, he has released 22 albums, which earned him 14 gold
\nrecords and nine platinums.<\/p>\n
The year was closed by Canadian Alanis Morissette, whose
\nJagged Little Pill was the best-selling debut album by a female
\nartist in American music history. It was a nice close to the year
\nto have Morissette performing in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Her album, which featured darkly introspective lyrics and an
\noriginal sound, sold 10 million copies this year, adding to the
\nfour million sold in 1995, the Recording Industry Association of
\nAmerica stated in its year-end sales totals.<\/p>\n
This amount surpassed the 12 million copies sold of Whitney
\nHouston's self-titled debut album, the association said, and put
\nMorissette, a Canadian, on a pace to break Boston's record of 15
\nmillion copies with its self-titled debut album released in 1976.
\n(raw)<\/p>",
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