"For tomorrow’s show, he has roped in sponsors such as jeans manufacturer Lee, who is supplying merchandise to give away, while 8TV and Channel V Amp will be recording the anniversary show.
“The one thing I can’t get from sponsors is money,” noted Wing Meng. “Money is very important because it helps me cover the basic expenses as well as pay the bands. And I’m not even asking for a lot. So I’m very grateful to The Laundry Bar which has been very supportive of Crossborders and provides a venue for local indie acts to perform.
“They even help me to pay bands at a Crossborders gig.”
Wing Meng, however, understands why sponsors are reluctant to offer cash to independent gig organisers.
“People don’t really know the indie scene and they don’t understand the indie culture. I approached one sponsor about the prospect of bringing down US rock band Switchfoot and they didn’t know who they were.
“I understand the business aspect of the sponsors but they hardly know anything about music, its genres and cultures. A lot of people just don’t know a whole lot about what’s happening in music.”
And unlike the Philippines, Wing Meng pointed out there is not a whole lot of venues for local indie bands here.
“There are less than a handful of places to play in the Klang Valley for indie bands. In the Philippines, there are places to play every night. When we were there, we played one club then we packed up, headed over to another club to play and then another ... all on the very same night.”
