AS Durbanites, we always find it a bit unfair when international celebrity musicians tour South Africa, yet Durban is almost always excluded from their destination list. Who could forget missing out on Lady Gaga, Robbie Williams or Justin Bieber in Durbs?
Yet, it’s the people of this city who are to blame because they don’t attend such events in their droves as compared to fans in Jozi or Cape Town. But now City Soiree, KZNSA Gallery and iSupport Business have joined hands to use their novel crowdfunding tool to give fans the power to bring international stars to Durban.
The City Soirée website says the first step is to ensure that a target is set for the number of fans needed for the concert to be staged.
To reach the target, fans pledge money. A pledge is like buying a pre-sale ticket but this ticket has the power to make an event happen.
As soon as the target is reached, the event is confirmed. If an event does not reach its target in time, it will not take place and all pledges are refunded to fans (100 percent money back).
As part of the initiative, the trio are strongly hoping to bring guitarist Derek Gripper to our sunny shores.
So how did the concept come about and why do the partners believe it will work? City Soirée founder, Gerhard Maree, explains: “City Soirée is based in Cape Town but we’ve been doing concerts for Joburg, Pretoria – and now Durban. I started the organisation to find a tool for the performing arts, but in particular the music industry.
“It started in 2010 and has grown a bit. Then the funding model came about. We use crowdfunding to try to achieve this and to take the risks for artists. We know it’s very risky, but it’s a great way of getting the cash flow before the event happens.”
Shedding light on his reasons for believing this system would work in Durban, Maree says: “In Durban people are struggling to pull artists. Event organisers have the same problem. It’s quite tough, yet it’s a big city. We need to offer people good concerts and let them control this. Growing up in the 1990s, there were lots of international bands coming to South Africa and Durban. Over the past 10 years, we’ve seen a decline. Surely, if there was an audience then, there must be one now, they can’t disappear. We feel we can galvanise the audience again. Venues are struggling and closing down in Durban. But I’m optimistic. I feel we just need to find the right angle and channel to push this. Only time will tell.”
• For more info, visit www.citysoiree.co.za to pledge to see Derek Gripper in Durban.