Steve Martin on the Evolution of the New York Music Scene | Big Think

TL;DR

The New York City music scene has evolved from a vibrant and underground community in the late 70s and early 80s to a more divided and violent scene in the late 80s and early 90s, eventually experiencing a Renaissance with the emergence of new bands.

Transcript

I started coming in and going to to clubs and and and theaters a lot to see band in New York City when I was probably about 14 or 15 so yeah at that point the the city seemed a lot more dangerous and dirty and scary and you had to go to weird neighborhoods to see bands or or see you know bands in gay clubs or weird like afternoon MAA shows and or y... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤕 The New York City music scene in the late 70s and early 80s required people to search for bands in unconventional venues, contributing to its underground and vibrant nature.
• 💝 The decline of the scene in the late 80s and early 90s was due to violence within the hardcore music community and the closure of iconic venues.
• 🤕 The emergence of bands like Helmet and Sonic Youth in the late 80s and early 90s brought about a renaissance in the New York City music scene.
• 🤕 The scene's emphasis on live performances and talent played a crucial role in the success of bands like U2 and The Police.
• 😮 The evolution of technology, such as the rise of Myspace and mainstream music press, changed the dynamics of the music scene over time.
• 🫒 The New York City music scene today is different from the past, with more mainstream exposure and less emphasis on live performances.
• 🍸 The closing of iconic venues and the shift towards a focus on selling drinks and drugs contributed to the changing landscape of the music scene.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the New York City music scene in the late 70s and early 80s differ from the scene today?

The scene back then was more underground and vibrant, requiring people to search for bands in unconventional venues. Today, there is more mainstream exposure and less emphasis on live performances.

Q: What factors contributed to the decline of the New York City music scene in the late 80s and early 90s?

The hardcore music scene became increasingly violent, which caused people to lose interest. Many iconic venues closed down, leaving limited options for live shows.

Q: What marked the "renaissance" period of the New York City music scene?

The emergence of bands like Helmet and Sonic Youth in the late 80s and early 90s marked a revitalization of the scene. These bands brought a fresh wave of creativity and interest back into the music community.

Q: How did the New York City music scene in the late 70s and early 80s influence the success of bands like U2 and The Police?

These bands played small shows in New York City before gaining mainstream success. The scene's emphasis on live performances and talent made it a key platform for emerging artists.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The New York City music scene was once considered dangerous and dirty, requiring people to search for bands in unconventional venues like gay clubs and afternoon shows.

• During the late 70s and early 80s, the scene was vibrant and happening, with underground bands like U2 and The Police playing to small crowds before finding mainstream success.

• Hardcore music became popular but eventually led to violence, causing a decline in the scene. However, in the late 80s and early 90s, a new wave of bands, including Helmet, brought about a renaissance in the music scene.