Well, Swamp Records, you done did it. Bravo.
You did the seemingly impossible. You got people to come to a student-government sponsored event. An event on a Friday night. With no alcohol. An event that featured a bunch of artists no one has ever heard of. An event at a bar no one who doesn’t already go there would ever think to go to.
Kudos to you.
Swamp Records Showcase at The JAM on Friday was nothing short of sick. The JAM was the perfect venue for the second annual concert featuring bands, rappers, singers and DJs from UF and the Gainesville community. If last year’s event was a test-run, then this year’s solidified it as a bona fide tradition.
Photo by Marlee Taylor
The event reached capacity around 10 p.m., and both the inside and outside stage had full crowds dancing along to every performer. The mixed crowd –- hipsters who probably claim they’ve followed these acts for years, as well as the face-masters the SG hooligans attracted – stood hand-in-hand (not actually) jamming out (pun intended) to the live, local talent that exists right here, under our noses.
And the success of the event can really only be attributed to the talent. We have some good fucking music here in Gainesville.
Hip-Hop Duke laid it down, Grit rocked it out and Savants of Soul had people crowd surfing. No act was disappointing, except the fact that you couldn’t watch acts on the two stages at the same time.
Everyone shuffled smoothly between the intimate indoor stage and the big stage outside, featuring full professional lighting and a screen on the stage, so the performers kind of looked like they were performing on season four of “American Idol.” The sets didn’t line up perfectly, which made for the perfect amount of dead time to regroup, take a lap and decide which stage to watch next. From an attendee’s perspective, the night went seamlessly.
Photo by Marlee Taylor
Literally overnight the performers at Swamp Showcase grew their fan base from a niche, barely recognizable to the man-bun-sporting set to local fame. The showcase proved that live music is alive and well in Gainesville. We just need some help finding it.
In a world full of fleeting DJs on tour and two creepos behind pianos downtown, the mainstream live music scene in Gainesville is pretty lackluster. Hopefully the shows of now-famous names like Flatlands and Bells and Robes will be the topic of the facey stop-and-chats at Club West. (Side note: Savants of Soul’s next performance on Feb. 17 and a few of the DJ’s will be at Over Easy Fest on Feb. 21.)
In one word, the event was fire (and featured actual fire at the outdoor stage. Thanks, The JAM). Even with the SG rules of no alcohol at sponsored events (which should change), Swamp Showcase exceeded everyone’s expectations. The professional level of performance by every act was a pleasant surprise to most of the audience, who were definitely into it. People weren’t on their phones the whole time or making out in the back, but actually facing the stage and engaging with the music.
Via: Swamp Records’ Facebook
Gainesville, let’s make this stick.
If we make an effort to see these performers again and frequently, more like them — of this caliber — will appear, too. Then everyone wins. They’re way more deserving of our money than these soulless promotion groups anyway.
These amazing local artists trying to make it big define the future of music.
Feature photo courtesy of Marlee Taylor
