Difference between revisions of "Wailing Bongo"
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| − | The ''Wailing Bongo'' was the main venue for bands playing at the University in the late 1990's. | + | [[image:2007Bongo.jpg|right|thumb|Main entrance to the "Wailing Bongo", as of 2007]] |
| + | The ''Wailing Bongo'' was the main venue for bands playing at [[the University of Waikato]] in the mid- to late-1990's. Notable events held there included the [[Battle of the Bands 1994|1994]], [[Battle of the Bands 1995|1995]], [[Battle of the Bands 1996|1996]] and [[Battle of the Bands 1997|1997]] [[Battle of the Bands]] competitions, the release gigs for the [[Romantic Andes]] album [[To Understand the Animals]] (1994) and [[Rocket]] EP (1996), and the [[Attrocities One]] release party (1994).<br> | ||
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| + | The "Bongo" was mismanaged into oblivion after the election of student union who believed the bar did not cater for the average student. The union employed a manager who would aim to make the Bongo similar to the bars already existing in town, complete with a DJ to play mainstream dance music. Alienating the strong regular crowd, who was interested in bands and with more refined musical tastes, it had limited success in attracting its intended clientele. It instead attracted many underage drinkers that contributed greatly to its downfall. <br> | ||
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| + | Late in the ''Bongo'''s existence it played host to ''the Dirty Three'' from Australia; here the juxtaposition was stark, with two disparate crowds migrating between the main hall and the bar when each band gave way to the DJ, and vice-versa. Most painfully, the DJ began playing music half-way through an intense ''Dirty Three'' song, breaking the mood with his cry of "Lets give it up for the Dirty Three!!". It now exists as the weights room of the university gym. | ||
[[category:venues]] | [[category:venues]] | ||
Revision as of 22:09, 15 January 2007
The Wailing Bongo was the main venue for bands playing at the University of Waikato in the mid- to late-1990's. Notable events held there included the 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 Battle of the Bands competitions, the release gigs for the Romantic Andes album To Understand the Animals (1994) and Rocket EP (1996), and the Attrocities One release party (1994).
The "Bongo" was mismanaged into oblivion after the election of student union who believed the bar did not cater for the average student. The union employed a manager who would aim to make the Bongo similar to the bars already existing in town, complete with a DJ to play mainstream dance music. Alienating the strong regular crowd, who was interested in bands and with more refined musical tastes, it had limited success in attracting its intended clientele. It instead attracted many underage drinkers that contributed greatly to its downfall.
Late in the Bongo's existence it played host to the Dirty Three from Australia; here the juxtaposition was stark, with two disparate crowds migrating between the main hall and the bar when each band gave way to the DJ, and vice-versa. Most painfully, the DJ began playing music half-way through an intense Dirty Three song, breaking the mood with his cry of "Lets give it up for the Dirty Three!!". It now exists as the weights room of the university gym.
