More than a year has passed since the Labour Party came to power but so far, no rehearsing spaces for bands have been identified, despite the fact that the Prime Minister contracted veteran singer William Mangion to do just that.

The Malta Independent sent questions to the Parliamentary for Secretary for Culture after PN MP Jason Azzopardi was told by the PM in reply to a PQ last week that he was barking up the wrong tree and that he should address his questions to the relevant ministry.

But in reply to our questions, a Parliamentary Secretariat official said that studies on bands’ “requirements” are ongoing and the research being carried out at the moment will be followed up by a survey. 

The official said that before the funds allocated for the support of bands are allocated “it is essential that there is a strong understanding of the requirements of the stakeholders (band members, managers and event promoters) involved. A number of consultation meetings have been held.  It has been proposed that initially qualitative research is conducted in order to identify any new or previously unanticipated requirements that stakeholders may have.  This research will be intended to identify the main issues that should be considered in more detailed quantitative research to be conducted in the second phase of the research component. Subsequent to the report, a survey will be developed that gives due consideration to the issues that arise in the qualitative research. This research will be used to identify what the main issues are. “

Back in November, Mr Mangion had told The Malta Independent that he had received a number of requests from local bands but the government was still in the process of identifying suitable spaces. He had also said that the budget for this particular scheme was only approved four months into his one-year contract, and he did not have the necessary financial guidelines at the time.

Culture Hub will provide performing space for musicians

When Mr Mangion signed the one-year contract soon after the election, a number of bands, singers and musicians had criticized the role and insisted that what they needed were not rehearsal spaces but places to perform and help with promoting their gigs.

But a spokesperson for the Culture Ministry told this paper that a new Culture Hub will give artists spaces to perform and showcase their talents. “The expression of interest has already been issued and it is in the process of adjudication. This is in line with what has been proposed in the electoral manifesto.” The spokesperson said that no decision has been taken yet on the location of the Culture Hub, which will be a sort of incubation centre for artists. It will also serve a a place where students can learn to appreciate the various forms of art. The venue will include a number of stages and the plan is to have monthly “mini-gigs” where bands can perform in front of their fans.

William Mangion barred from speaking to the media

In the meantime, Mr Mangion has been instructed by Ministry officials not to speak directly with the media. The Malta Independent contacted the singer last week to ask him what progress he has made so far. But the singer told this paper that he had been instructed by ministry officials not to speak directly to the media and asked us to send our questions to officials within the Parliamentary Secretariat for Culture, headed by Jose Herrera.