Comments on: Is Paxahau Racist?

By: Jay Newhouse

Jay Newhouse — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:01:35 +0000

@Paul Jay

The 1 million numbers were fabricated by media like URB.

and its sad, DEMF used to mean so much more than a bunch of concerts…

Thanks for the great blog coverage Mr. Count Zero.

By: Paul Jay

Paul Jay — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:53:43 +0000

I have no problem paying, like I said its expensive for me but I am still going. My point is the show used to have nearly 1 million ppl come to downtown every year when it was free. If they just charged lets say $10-25, many more people would come besides the die-hards such as myself well above last years 80,000. They would make much more money in volume by decreasing the price but again that would encourage a different crowd as well. I will have to agree that $50 (whats stated on the Pax myspace page) for 3 days is well worth it but I can and usually only go for one day, and by one day I mean usually closer to 7pm => close. I just wish I could get more of my friends to come but adding up $30 a head doesn’t seem worth it to them and I have to agree as well. Like i said in my prev post its $ discrimination to keep certain people out and those that paid to be there want to be there and are less likely to start fights and such. Its going to be another great weekend of concerts and I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!

By: Count Zero

Count Zero — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:04:26 +0000

oh, and thanks for reading and commenting! much appreciated.

By: Count Zero

Count Zero — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:04:09 +0000

I kind of see what you’re saying, it would be better if it were free. On the other hand I wonder if we’re talking about the same festival, because I have to point out that $45 for three days of entertainment and over 80 performers is really a steal. Coachella (another three day multiple performer event), for example, was $270 this year!

Sure, it would be awesome if it could be free, but Paxahau had to take over because the free event was losing money like crazy, so it’s great that they’ve been able to continue. Not to mention Pax has increased the production value every year.

If you want a free event with 80+ artists and 4 stages of awesome sound and lighting, I’d definitely encourage you to go raise the money and throw one yourself. I’d be there!

By: Paul Jay

Paul Jay — Tue, 19 May 2009 04:36:08 +0000

I think they are totally trying to control what type of crowd comes in by charging ridiculous amounts for cover just to walk in. I call it $$$ discrimination more than racism. They know that poor people will not put forth the money just to walk into this event so they are encouraging (white) people with $ to come to the event and thus probably have more white performers. I think its overpriced but I still go because I LOVE THE MUSIC!!!

By: Count Zero

Count Zero — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:55:46 +0000

Yeah, that’s what they want you to think. My point is that maybe they do come from a “different place” but that doesn’t give them any right to make the sweeping changes they made. The festival belongs to the city, and they’re doing the city a huge disservice by continuing to book out of their tastes rather than to reflect the musicians of Detroit. It’s irritating at best, racist at worst. You’re giving them too much credit Mark.

By: [mark]

[mark] — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:27:18 +0000

i don’t think it’s racism at all. i think it’s the intent with which the given organizer proceeds to book the festival.

2000-2005’s festivals were (in just about everyone’s estimation) decidedly different from where Pax took things when they took over. this is to be expected, as they come from a different place than kevin, derrick and the “original” organizers.

they took it, for lack of a better description, more mainstream. more rave-y. whatever. their goal is “asses in chairs” (or, to be more exact, “feet on the pavement”).

if you want to argue semantics, maybe the argment to be made is that the dance music biz (with regards to the acts being booked) is racist, and fairly eurocentric to boot.