Around 150 people occupied the Octagon on Sunday August 7 to support Dunedin's iconic Crown Hotel and oppose Dunedin City Council (DCC) regulations which they say have been threatening Dunedin’s live music scene. Ironically, they were even slapped with a noise complaint for their trouble.
Appropriately for a protest planned largely by musos, despite the seriousness of the situation, the protest had more of the vibe of a gig. The smell of cigarette smoke and bubblegum vape hung thick over the air as local indie rock bands pumped the (old and new) Dunedin sound: including Blisspoint, Koizilla, Dale Kerrigan, Black Sale House and Molly Devine.
A protest focused on “being loud and creating together” ironically included a solemn minute of silence. “If we don’t have the Crown that [silence] is what we’re gonna get,” said Craig, one of the organisers. However, the silence didn’t last. It didn’t take long for someone in the crowd to yell, “I can’t stand it!”, which was then followed by a succession of people screaming as loudly as possible.
Protest organiser Dave Bennett told Critic Te Ārohi that “[We are] here to ask the DCC to recommit to valuing music in their town planning.” Despite Ōtepoti/Dunedin being marketed on its rich and vibrant music culture, from the golden era of the “Dunedin Sound” to the emergence of groups like Six60, Dave said that on current trends, this heritage was at risk of being relegated to the B side of Dunedin culture.
In issue 17, Critic Te Ārohi reported on the music community’s opposition to a new apartment building slated to be built next to the Crown on Stafford Street. There were widespread concerns that noise complaints from the new build would threaten the Crown, one of the few remaining live music venues in Dunedin. This protest was the culmination of an effort to make their concerns public and higher-profile.
Criminology professor Dr Fairleigh Gilmour, who specialises on the impact of regulation on the night-time economy, spoke at the protest. “Building inadequately insulated apartments right next to a music venue is not making sure tensions don’t arise - it’s not protecting the Crown or the residents that will move in.” As things stand, it looks grim. “If the council prioritises the needs of developers over the community it can shut down venues and rehearsal spaces because of noise complaints, and the laws can remain intentionally unclear so the music scene can be crushed without anyone really being held accountable,” said Fairleigh.
Despite the rain and misery of Sunday, the high turnout demonstrated a passion for the Crown – both as one of Ōtepoti’s most active music venues, and as one of the very few places which have no barriers to entry. Craig himself knows how important the Crown is as a springboard for smaller bands: he played his first gig at the Crown in 1994, as part of Mink. Less than a year later, they were playing to crowds of 600 in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. “The Crown is the place where things start. If it finishes, it will be the end,” said Craig.
Members of Black Sale House agreed, telling Critic Te Ārohi that “playing live music is how you make it.” Fewer live music venues means fewer opportunities for gigs and performances, which makes it harder for bands to consider staying put in Ōtepoti. It also handicaps the development of new bands – particularly those currently too small to use larger venues. As Jones put it: “There should be other venues apart from the Octagon and the stadium.”
Dave said the best way for students to support the cause is, unsurprisingly, to go to gigs and support local bands. Unsurprisingly, all of the students Critic Te Ārohi spoke to over the pumping bass were music majors. “The Crown has always been there,” said Izzy. Attendee Becca confessed to Critic Te Ārohi that they had never been to the Crown, but hastily added that they are excited to go.
Supporters were encouraged to write to their local MPs and councillors. “Planning’s boring as fuck, but stories mean something. Tell your story to those people who can make a difference in this stupid fucked up situation,” said Craig. Dave ended on an optimistic note: “If the road block were removed and the city was planned better for night time culture, this could be a world class music city again.”