After 22 years as Joburg’s iconic and beloved venue in the heart of South Africa’s biggest city – Bassline will be closing it’s doors at the end of December 2016.
Founded by Brad Holmes, originally opened in 1994 as a small, live music venue in the bohemian suburb of Melville. It rose to prominence as the ultimate live venue to experience South Africa’s finest Jazz and Afro-beat, branching out by featuring poetry readings, comedy and impromptu jam sessions. It was home for numerous musicians and Jazz fans, and helped launch and enhance the careers of luminaries such as Vusi Mahlasela, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, Zim Ngqawana, Paul Hanmer, Jimmy Dludlu and Tumi & The Volume just to name a few.
In 2003 the original Bassline closed and was resurrected in 2004 in the downtown Newtown Cultural Precinct, with a 1000-capacity concert venue and an intimate 150-seat performing space, both with top-of-the-range sound and lighting.
@JoziUnsigned @MelanieCarmen the venue is closing, will be mobile with live events festivals artist management.
— Bassline Jozi (@BasslineJozi) December 12, 2016
Destiny Connect reported that the company will be starting a new direction and strategy.
“The business will carry on and will be going into artist management, festivals, and technical production, it’s basically following the trends that are happening around the world,” Brad Holmes, Bassline founder, told DESTINY Man.
Bassline also provides rehearsal rooms, recording and other facilities for artists.
In front of The Bassline is an interactive life-size bronze sculpture of legendary songstress Brenda Fassie by artist Angus Taylor.
Holmes further emphasises that the real issue is that it’s not feasible to be a nice-to-have business in a 0% growth economy, which is the case in South Africa, whose economy in the last quarter grew at 0.4%.
Source: www.destinyconnect.com
