Battle of the Bands, Literally

Visualize being in a park teeming with people. You try to saunter around but you get continuously stalled. The park-goers simply stop almost every after a few meters.

Why? Because they regularly halt to check out the groups lined on the side of the promenade. Beggars? No.

These ……………

That’s the scene at the Yoyogi Park last Sunday. There were about twenty amateur bands lined up at the pavement, spaced by only a few meters. It was like a bazaar of bands, each one trying to outdo each other’s antics to invite attention. I guess you could imagine the resulting cacophony when they all belt out whatever they call their music. Think Raon, five times noisier.

But the people don’t seem to mind. In fact, many of them enjoy the festive mood. To show appreciation, some of them would actually dance in front of their chosen band. I’m not sure though if those zealous fans were not the band-members’ relatives and friends.

It’s easy to conclude it was a crazy idea. How would invading an entire stretch of sidewalk to showcase sounds that overlap each other be a venue for musical appreciation? But on second thought, maybe this crazy act gets the job done. First, the band gets to test the acceptability of their music. If only a handful stops to listen, it would be a signal to change the repertoire. But if they attract a crowd, then it would be time to think big. Who knows, the exposure in the street just might get them the break that they dream of.

Ganun talaga. Kanya-kanyang raket lang tayo para mapansin. :-)

Parang mga ito na pakalat-kalat din sa park. Ako naman si engot, nakisali din sa mga kumuha ng picture… hehehe