Connecting Namibian Musicians with their Audience
Up close is what you get, to Namibian musicians, when you visit the Boiler Room in Windhoek between Wednesday and Saturday every week. The stage is a home for local musicians. Here musicians get the chance share their talents with Namibia and also to hone their skills as performers on the stage that hides nothing from its audience.
99FM’s MYD Art spoke to Conny Pimenta from the Boiler Room, to find out how this little character filled bar has crept into the hearts of Windhoekers and travellers alike, as a place to find Namibian music.
“Many local artists have told me that it is actually very scary to perform at the Boiler Room because the audience is in your face and it’s so intimate here.”
“The Boiler Room is a platform for local artists. From Wednesday to Saturday we have local artists performing on stage. But what makes this space extra special is that here you are very close to your audience. Many local artists have told me that it is actually very scary to perform at the Boiler Room because the audience is in your face and it’s so intimate here.”
“A musician learns from their audience.”
Conny explains that this is an advantage for musicians to practice their performing talents, “A musician learns from their audience. Here, if the audience isn’t moved by your music you need to go back and learn; practice. We have one musician who only learnt to play the guitar a year ago. We gave him a chance on stage and he has grown so much as an artist, now he has a fan base and is being booked for other events.”
“What I really love about the Boiler Room is that it’s so multi-cultural. Here everyone is happy because everyone is here for the music.”
“What I really love about the Boiler Room is that it’s so multi-cultural. Here everyone is happy because everyone is here for the music. I also love that every night is different. One night we even had a group of Japanese tourists, joining a Namibian artist on stage. They had their guitars with them and it became a really fun performance.”
“What’s new at the Boiler Room is that we have partnered with the Flaunt Deli, who now do the food for the Warehouse, the Boiler Room and the Loft.”
Come out and support Namibian music and musicians at the Boiler Room every Wednesday to Saturday. Or if you are a Namibian musician, apply to perform at the Boiler Room as they are currently looking for new performers to add to their eclectic community of artists.
Find the Boiler Room at The Warehouse Theatre, on Facebook by clicking here