Where should all the young people go?

Wellington City was once full of young creatives empowered to make things and put them out there. Wellington’s gig scene has been a giant part of this.

Every weekend held the promise of something unique for any mood you were in, whether house music, electronic, or live bands. The city was held together by the community of artists, musicians and promoters sustaining its creative pulse.

Now that scene has collapsed. Venues that served as havens for musical curators sit vacant. Birdcage, Club 121, Lacuna and The Laundry were compelled to close. Wellington’s nightlife has dwindled to pubs that can afford to run because much of their revenue comes from feeding young people alcohol.

All that remains elsewhere are clubs you go to if you’re keen to write yourself off, or to listen to really bad Justin Bieber mashups.

It is easy to point the finger at Covid, but there’s a bit more going on.

Toby from Tub’s Audio has been a part of the local scene, supplying sound systems since 2013. ‘‘I think what it comes down to is a generational divide, because you’ve got the boomers, who are a huge cohort compared to a lot of us, and they are just on a different vibe with what they want,’’ he says.

One major obstacle faced by venues is opposition from authorities when they seek to renew liquor licences. ‘‘I think it’s the police, the DHB and the liquor licensing authorities that have done more damage than Covid,’’ Toby says.

Smaller venues require licensing but aren’t focusing on making huge profits from alcohol. People don’t go to these events to drink excessively. The issue is generational – the city authorities tend to overlook the experience of young people.

Wellington has nurtured some of the best musical curators in the country. These artists now have to organise events in other parts of the country.

‘‘When Lacuna and 121 were running, I was getting two to three gigs a month,’’ Wellington DJ Alice Agnes says.

‘‘Now it feels like it’s going to be very dead over the winter.’’

Tory Whanau, Wellington’s mayor, ran on a policy to fix Wellington’s nightlife. The council could likely help with things such as modifying earthquake-prone buildings, or allowing events to be run in empty spaces.

Toby says conversations have been held with the council on how, at a low price point, it could make people feel differently about the city. Suggestions of events like dance and house music being run on the waterfront on Sundays, for example.

City authorities and those that can make a difference seem to lack a sense of urgency regarding the state of Wellington’s nightlife. They need to understand that young people aren’t just looking for more places to drink and party for the sake of it.

Providing spaces for young people and artists to express themselves is vital – to have that experience of exploration in music and art. It serves as a means for connecting and harnessing a sense of belonging. If there aren’t spaces like this around, it makes it tough for young people to connect in real life.

Enrolments at Victoria University have dropped 12% compared to last year, with 2600 fewer students in Wellington. Christchurch has seen a 5% rise. Creative arts programmes have always played a significant role in attracting young artists to study here, yet what’s the point of studying what you love when you aren’t able to immerse and establish yourself in the scene?

It’s worth exploring the potential collaboration between universities and the city in reviving nightlife and attracting more students back.

There are pockets of spaces and gigs throughout the city keeping the flame alive. Venues such as Meow have taken on the responsibility of hosting frequent gig nights for local artists.

It’s important to support the local music scene. Help to keep what remains of it, and spread the word to authorities to stop ruining our city – please.