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| Maggie Crossett performs at the Orange Tree during the HBC Fest in 2013. / Photo by John Redmond |
By John Redmond
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| Tim Costello performs at an indoor venue at the 2016 HBC Festival. / Photo by John Redmond |
The brainchild of Lance Reegan Diehl and Jim Gaynor's vision to give local musicians a chance to perform in Seoul's burgeoning indie network of expat music venues is without doubt a hit.
Back in the festival's early days there were far fewer bars and restaurants along the main street and only a handful of foreign residents living in surrounding neighborhoods.
Most HBC Fest attendees, musicians and audiences, were from out of town. Music performances took place inside small venues, with the crowds occasionally spilling out onto the narrow main street.
Audiences were respectful and shows were MC'd by local musicians, introducing guests to a mostly new wave of untapped talent.
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| John Starling and his band perform at Camarata during last year's HBC October Fest. / Photo by John Redmond |
The first fest was such a success that another one was planned for six months down the track. This, too, went well. Word was beginning to spread. Bands began to take notice.
Before long, rock bands were being booked and non-authorized performances also began to take place on the street.
The most infamous of these was resident, self-described performance artist, the Australian Frank Baresi, also known as the Watermelon Man.
Baresi performed semi-naked and painted in blue and red dye, smashing watermelons on his head in the middle of the road outside of what was then SSen Bar. He left behind the better part of a motor vehicle of messy compost ― supposedly in the name of art. Try getting away with that in Australia.
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| John Valentine performs at Fixx bar during the HBC Fest in 2014. / Photo by John Redmond |
As crowds got bigger and rowdier, the HBC Fest began to develop a reputation as a street version of a frat party, and locals weren't impressed. One year, police were asked to intervene and venues were told to control their crowds or be closed and face punishment.
The main street is also a public transport bus route and tensions between organizers, local businesses and the council began to simmer.
Through negotiations, a compromise was struck in that venue owners were held responsible for keeping crowds off the streets. Police were also on hand to monitor traffic and pedestrians, now separated by barricades to ensure the safety of all.
Noise pollution laws were also called into question and venue owners had to adhere to a strict decibel level, meaning, turn the volume down and close the door or face the wrath of the law.
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| Josh van Winkle and Lance Reegan Diehl, right, perform at Fixx bar at the HBC Fest in 2014. / Photo by John Redmond |
All complied. No one was fined, doors were closed and PA systems were kept at a respectable volume.
With more basement venues offering decent sound for bands, and above-ground stages with smaller sound systems opening to solo and folk-oriented acts, a happy medium was reached ― and it has been that way since.
As with the modernization of the neighborhood that led to embracing a greater diversity in visitors and residents, the HBC Fest has seen growth in Korean musicians wanting to take advantage of the opportunity to perform in front of a foreign audience, and vice versa.
The current version of the HBC Fest adheres to the original idea of Gaynor and Diehl, with the exception that venues and performers are made well aware of local noise levels and crowd issues.
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| John Valentine performs at Thunderhorse at the HBC Fest in 2014. / Photo by John Redmond |
The event is now much more organized, with printed programs and posters available at all venues, and musicians must comply with terms stipulated by organizers.
Sadly, one rock venue that will not be part of the festival is Thunderhorse - The Pit.
Due to issues with plumbing and structural problems, the eight-year-old venue will close immediately.
"So as many of you already know, I have been having issues with the bathroom, leaky ceiling and other things at the horse," said owner Kirk Kwon.
"For the safety of the bands and customers, I have decided I will close the bar, effective immediately."
With a line-up and venues set to be announced, the May HBC Fest is only a few weeks away.
Information can be obtained at www.hbcfest.com.
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