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Music and its role in café culture
by
Entertainment generally and music in particular have always been a part
of the Wellington café scene. The form musical entertainment took
was as varied as the establishment which offered it, and changed over
time. Influenced by elements such as the popular sounds of the day, the
'theme' of the café, the cultural heritage of the owner and the clientele,
music was, and still is, a vital part of the café experience.
The early days
Music in New Zealand during the early part of the twentieth century was greatly influenced by Britain, Europe and America. As well as providing entertainment, music was a vehicle for bringing 'culture' to a far-flung outpost of the British Empire. Concerts and recitals featuring notable classical musicians, both local and international, were the standard form of musical entertainment, and such occasions were significant social events. Composers such as Gilbert and Sullivan were influential during the 1920s, with light opera proving very popular, particularly in Wellington. The performance venues were mainly theatres, opera houses and concert halls.
Immigration, particularly from Europe, was also an influential factor in the development of a musical identity in Wellington. Again, however, these influences were not represented in the cafés and tea rooms, but were confined to theatres and concert halls. The café was very much in its infancy during this time and apart from the occasional guest artist or local celebrity, very little was offered in the way of entertainment at the few cafés or tea rooms in and around Wellington.
At this time entertainment was generally geared towards entertaining large numbers of people. Consequently musical groups, bands and companies were quite large. For example, a musical troupe established in the mid 1920s called the Plimmerton All Blax Minstrel Troupe consisted of no fewer than nine members. This made the task of entertaining in the rather confined space of a café extremely difficult. Another factor was the influence on social behaviour by the concept of the promenade. People regularly took a Sunday walk, to see and be seen. Outdoor entertainment, provided by brass and pipe bands, followed this trend. The café was therefore primarily a place for the consumption of food and drink.
1940–1960
The Second World War significantly changed both the music scene and café culture in Wellington. The big band sound, developed by American artists such as Glenn Miller, began to dominate. Seven-piece bands with lead singers such as Dorothy McKegg were a regular feature at the Skyline Restaurant during the 1950s. The wireless and gramophone were becoming commonplace in New Zealand homes and also allowed café owners to play popular music of the day: 'Most of the coffee-houses have music of some kind, usually supplied by a pick-up and amplifier, generally a selection of light-classical and popular pieces with the emphasis on strings and the volume turned low'. This recorded music might include New Zealand music, such as Maori songs performed by showbands, chorales and concert parties, Hawaiian-influenced sounds of composers such as Ruru Karaitiana and local versions of country and western. However, jazz was by far the most popular form of musical entertainment in cafés.
1960–1980
The 1960s saw changes in musical tastes, particularly those of young people, which affected the kinds of music played in cafés. The popularity of folk music was embraced by cafes such as the Monde Marie in Wellington, which became an important performance venue for local and visiting artists. This trend was soon to be overtaken by a more pervasive form of popular music.
The Dominion of 22 June 1964 carried the banner headline 'Beatles Arrive'. The visit to Wellington of the four lads from Liverpool signalled the arrival of a new form of musical entertainment. 'In Wellington, the rock'n'roll and pop music scene exploded into action during those halcyon days...there was also a huge youth club scene in the sixties...And there were the jamborees, the Dancelands, the coffee bars, and the suburban night clubs too'.
Fans of popular music eagerly sought out the musical offerings of the Searchers, the Tremolos and the Shadows. Not to be outdone, local artists also cashed in on the bonanza. Stars such as Ray Columbus, Max Merritt and the Meteors, Howard Morrison, Peter Posa and Lyn Barnett regularly played to full houses in Wellington. The advent of television, with its popular music shows such as 'Happen Inn', was also influential.
This phenomenon, however, did not have an immediate effect on the café culture of Wellington. Much of the entertainment was confined to the dance halls and clubs liberally scattered throughout Wellington. The cafés tended to provide either recordings of popular music or live bands catering for smaller numbers.
The dominance of the dance hall did not last. Changes to the licensing laws meant that pubs and taverns could stay open longer and the major breweries very quickly took advantage of the opportunity to offer live entertainment. But the cafés rocked on. Able to provide a wide range of recorded music, they used it to create and enhance atmosphere.
The 1990s and beyond
The type of musical entertainment offered now often depends on the time of day and the day of the week. Breakfast is accompanied by electronic music provided by the mandatory stereo system or the occasional television set pumping out musical video clips or the 'Juice' channel. This theme usually continues through the lunch period. However, live music is provided at the Ballroom Café no matter whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinnertime. Bodega has been a vital Wellington music venue for over a decade. Axolotl has its jukebox, Calzone 'during the day has reggae and dub sounds, while at night it shifts into restaurant mode, with underlying jazz themes'. Diva Bar proclaims proudly, 'There's a jazz base to the music—cruisy by day and more thumpy by night—Wednesday nights are jazz and cocktail night with a four piece band. On Thursdays it's a Rhythm and Blues Soul night'. Everything from contemporary jazz, to window-rattling opera, to serene classical music, to the latest techno funk can be found throughout the city. These offerings are reflective of both the ambience of the café and the time of day.