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In most civilized parts of the music world, when two bands are booked for the same event, there’s no drama about who goes first. Why? Because there’s this little thing called structure. If it’s a tour run by an artist, they pick their openers. Simple. If a promoter is behind the event, then they decide the order. Usually, there’s a producer or coordinator handling the logistics. It’s not rocket science.
But in the Haitian music industry? Oh no. That’s too boring. We prefer chaos.
Here, the question of who plays first isn’t just logistics. It’s warfare. Certain bands have turned this into their full-time job, fighting tooth and nail not to play first. Why? Because apparently, if they perform first, the crowd won’t be there yet, and heaven forbid someone records an empty dance floor. Cue the “nobody came to see them” whisper campaign on social media. Others insist that playing first makes them look like the underdog, and they just can’t have that.
Let’s be real. This mess started with the musicians. The egos, the arrogance, the “I’m too big to open” complex. It’s all there. But now, the real villains might be the promoters.
Yes, the same promoters who act like innocent middlemen are often the biggest culprits. Why? Because they have favorites. Don’t pretend they don’t. Some of them are even managers, “advisors,” or secretly on payroll with certain bands. So of course they want their preferred artist to close the show. It makes everyone look good.
Even worse? These promoters love to blame the bands when things go sideways. “Oh, it wasn’t me, the band demanded it!” No sir. If you’re writing the checks, setting the schedule, and producing the event, you’re the one responsible. Stop hiding behind artist tantrums that you helped create.
And who suffers while this circus unfolds? The fans. The ones who actually paid to be there.
Let’s talk about that for a minute. Why is it that doors open at 10 PM, but no band touches the stage before 1 AM? Why are fans standing around for hours, bored out of their minds, waiting for music at a music event? Then, if by some miracle the first band finally shows up, they’ll play until 3 AM out of spite, leaving the next group with a rushed, half-baked set.
The fans are getting robbed, plain and simple.
And before anyone starts pointing fingers, yes. The bands are still to blame. They started this madness with their inflated sense of self-worth. But promoters are enabling it like proud parents at a toddler’s tantrum. And fans? Y’all aren’t helping either. If you know doors open at 10 and you’re strolling in at 2 AM, why are you surprised half the night’s already gone?
Maybe the answer is to triple the price at the door after midnight. Or maybe close the doors once capacity is reached. Although let’s be honest, some of y’all treat fire codes like suggestions. Something’s gotta give. But knowing this industry? Nothing will.
At this point, I’ve accepted that I won’t live to see this get fixed. We’ve seen a lot of foolishness over the years, but this? This one might outlast us all. So go ahead, plug your nose and keep it moving. The stench isn’t going anywhere.
The Statement Drama: A Quick Review of the Petty Olympics
Let’s talk about the public statements that came from this whole mess, and my completely unbiased (read: absolutely biased) opinion on each.
Roberto Martino stepped up and gave his version of events. Respect for taking accountability for his brother, but there was no apology. And honestly, if you weren’t going to apologize, why bring it up at all? Just say nothing. Also, judging by Richard’s response, you might’ve left out a few key details.
Richard jumped in to “set the record straight,” and for a moment, he was doing great. Made solid points. But then, he pulled the colorism card. Nope. That wasn’t the moment. That had no place in that statement and just muddied the waters.
And then came Ti-Joe Zenny, who showed up to say absolutely nothing of value. Honestly, he could’ve just sat this one out.
At the end of the day, this drama is exhausting. Fans are tired. It’s one of the top reasons people say they’ve stopped going out. Long lines, delayed shows, and a childish power struggle over stage order. Congratulations. You’ve managed to turn a party into a headache.
Can we get back to the music now?
Endistri Mizik Ayisyen an ak Bèl Batay Li a: “Kilès Ki Pral Jwe An Premye?”
Nan pifò endistri mizik ki òganize, lè de gwoup mizik ap parèt sou menm afich, pa gen diskisyon sou kilès ki pral jwe an premye. Poukisa? Paske gen estrikti. Si se yon atis ki posede pwòp tournay li, li chwazi ki moun ki pral louvri pou li. Senp. Si se yon promotè ki anboche bann yo, se li ki deside lòd la. Gen yon kòdonatè oswa pwodiktè ki jere tout sa. Traka pa bezwen la.
Men nan mizik ayisyen an? Ah wi non. Nou pa t ap gen distenksyon si nou pa mete yon ti dezòd ladan l.
Nan sèn pa nou an, kesyon “kilès ki pral jwe an premye” se tankou lagè. Gen bann ki mete tèt yo sou misyon sakre pou evite jwe an premye. Poukisa? Yo di si yo jwe an premye, pa gen foul, epi kamera pral pran vid la, epi entènèt la ap vin ak narratif pa li “pèsonn pa te vin pou yo.” Gen lòt ki di jwe an premye fè yo sanble yo pi piti. Yo pa ka sipòte sa.
Ann pale fran. Mizisyen yo se premye moun ki mete dezòd sa a. Ego yo, awogans yo, “mwen twò gran pou ouvè pou nenpòt moun.” Se konsa sa te kòmanse. Men jodi a? Se promotè yo ki vin pi gwo koze a.
Epi se pi fon pase ego bann yo. Promotè yo gen bann yo pito. Pa fè tankou se pa vre. Yo vle bann yo renmen an fèmen fèt la, pou yo ka fè bèl figi devan zanmi atis yo. Epi ann pa bliye, anpil nan promotè sa yo se manadjè kache, konseye, oswa ajan pa non pou bann sa yo. Ou te panse yo t ap jwe sen?
Men sa ki pi komik? Se menm promotè sa yo k ap bay manti nan piblik, ap fè kwè se bann yo ki mete kondisyon sa yo. MANTI. Si se ou ki peye moun nan, ou mete tan an, ou pwodui evènman an, se ou ki responsab estrikti a. Pa kache dèyè ego mizisyen w ap nouri ou menm.
E pandan tout mizè sa yo ap fèt, kiyès ki soufri? Fanatik yo. Moun ki peye bèl lajan yo pou vini nan fèt la.
Ann pale sou sa. Poukisa pòt ouvè a 10 PM, men mizik pa kòmanse jouk 1 AM? Poukisa fanatik yo oblije kanpe tankou ridikil ap tann pou mizik kòmanse? Epi si premye bann lan finalman monte, yo jwe jouk 3 AM tankou pou fè dega, kite dezyèm bann lan ak 45 minit tan pou rale kò yo.
Fanatik yo ap pèdi lajan yo klè klè.
E avan ou vin ap defann bann yo, wi yo koupab. Se yo ki mete lòd sa a sou pye ak tout grandè tèt yo. Men promotè yo ap mete gaz sou dife a. E fanatik yo? Nou menm tou nou koupab. Si w konnen pòt ouvè a 10 PM, epi ou parèt 1 ou 2 AM, kisa ou vin fè egzakteman? Poukisa ou achte tikè pou 2 bann si ou jis vin wè youn?
Petèt solisyon an se triple pri pòt apre minui. Oswa fèmen pòt la yon fwa kapasite sal la fin plen (byenke nou tout konnen jan nou renmen pase kapasite sa). Petèt si chak moun sakrifye yon ti kras, nou ka mete lòd. Men pou di laverite? Mwen pa kwè sa ap janm rive.
Mwen deja lage lespwa. Sa twò lontan n ap viv sa, e pandan endistri mizik ayisyen an fin janbe tout kalte kaos, sa a… li ka menm viv pi lontan pase nou. Se mete bouch anba, pa respire twòp, paske salte sa a pa prale okenn kote.
Deklarasyon Pati Yo: Yon Ti Analiz Pam.
Ann pale de deklarasyon piblik ki soti apre eskandal la, e men opinyon mwen (san okenn diplomasi, ou tande?).
Roberto Martino mete pale bay vèsyon pa li. Li pran responsabilite pou frè li (byen janti), men li pa janm prezante ekskiz. E si ou pa t ap prezante eskiz, poukisa ou menm pale sou sa? Ou te ka fè silans ou al chita. E selon sa Richard reponn li, li sanble ou bliye mete kèk detay kle.
Richard rive mete pwen sou “i” yo. Li te kòmanse fò, fè bèl pwen. Men li te oblije mete kesyon koulè ladan l. Non frè. Sa pa te gen plas li nan deklarasyon sa a. Sa te fè sa pèdi tout sans li.
Ti-Joe Zenny rantre tou, men li pa t pote anyen sou tab la. Li ta pi bon li te jis kontinye fè silans li.
Nan fen jounen an, sije sa a fatige tout moun. Fanatik yo bouke. Se youn nan rezon prensipal anpil moun sispann soti. Atann, batay pou monte sou sèn, fè tan lontan kanpe pou tande mizik, e pi batay ti gagòt sou “kilès ki pral jwe an premye.”
Nou ka retounen ak mizik la souple?
