After a series of toasts and conversations, more than a dozen people at the table were tipsy. The man sitting in the middle, who looked like the host, turned to the girl sitting next to him and said , "Let's get started."
Music parties "reign"
The musician holding the guitar walked up to the area which was set up like a stage, with small speakers, LED screen, sound mixer… The musician and singer played a lively opening melody that made all the diners sway to the music.
After the singer finished singing, the party's guests performed one by one with professional guitar accompaniment, no less than the accompaniment on big stages.
This is the atmosphere of a party with music at a restaurant on Nguyen Chanh Street (Hanoi), named Goodbye Autumn 2023 by the owner, taking place on the first day of November.
Gone are the days when friends, colleagues, and partners would go out to sing karaoke after eating. Instead, parties with music like the one above are becoming more and more popular in Hanoi.
Once-fancy karaoke bars have now closed.
According to Mr. Hoang Van Khanh - the owner of the party with music, for the past five or seven years, he has not gone to karaoke with his friends anymore but has chosen to have a party with music . "After eating, singing with the musicians right in the party room is both civilized, polite and less expensive than going to karaoke" - Mr. Khanh shared.
He said that in the past, every time he went to karaoke, especially when he asked for an “armrest”, he had to pay up to tens of millions of dong. “When everyone was a little drunk, the waitresses would open beer everywhere, even though they didn’t drink. Then there was fruit and food brought out indiscriminately, I couldn’t control it. Not to mention the “tips” for the “armrests” were really terrible, ” said Mr. Khanh.
Partygoers in Hanoi are familiar with the stripteases of the girls serving at NT karaoke bar - a notorious party spot in Hanoi. Customers have to "buy" each piece of clothing from the girls. And so on, until all the clothes on the girls' bodies have been bought, the customers' wallets are also empty with the amount of money they have to pay reaching tens of millions of dong.
“With the way of organizing a party with music, we can sing to live music freely, listen to young singers sing songs on request, and control costs” – Mr. Khanh said and added that the compensation for musicians and sound is 5 million VND. If there are singers, it will be an additional 2-3 million VND/person.
The silence in the once famous karaoke bars.
Another reason why karaoke rooms are gradually being forgotten is that during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, karaoke bars were the first places to be asked to stop operating because they were held in closed spaces, easily spreading the disease.
In particular, after the general inspection of fire prevention and fighting and rescue (PCCC&CNCH) at karaoke establishments, bars, and dance clubs on October 7, 2022, more than a year has passed, karaoke bars in Hanoi are still closed. The long absence has made many customers no longer interested in this form of entertainment.
Family party, entertain guests attract singers
At music parties, there are often young singers. They are students of art schools, or they can be singers who have grown up in the mass singing movement. There are even “private shows” (private performances) that invite famous singers.
The runner-up of a TV show shared that he is not afraid to perform at parties held at home because for him, any stage, big or small, as long as he can sing, give his voice to those who love him and indulge his passion.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, entertainment activities have not really revived. Therefore, home parties are where he can satisfy his passion for singing. "I don't know about others, but for me, sometimes just being able to sing and hear people clapping is enough to make me happy.
Moreover, performances like this, although small, are where I learn a lot. It is where I explore and perfect my performance style, singing style as well as how to interact and chat with the audience. Because the space is small, I can easily grasp people's emotions, can clearly feel how they like me to sing and perform. This helps me perfect myself to gradually conquer big stages in the future."
A guitarist said that recently, he has received many invitations to perform at family and private parties. He said: "This form of organizing performances at private and family parties has been around for a long time, but in recent years it has appeared more often. Depending on the time of year, such parties are organized for the host to invite friends to join in the fun, socialize, and we artists contribute to creating the atmosphere for that party."
This artist said and did not hesitate to reveal that the salary for singers and artists at private parties and home parties is not too high. However, such parties will have some additional small requirements regarding costumes and performance, and this part will be calculated separately.
“Depending on each program and the customer's request, we will prepare appropriate costumes and uniforms. These requests will incur additional costs. For family events, my salary is only 5 million VND, adding singers will have other costs" - the guitarist explained further.
Cao Dieu Linh is not a singer, nor is she an art student. However, due to her impressive voice and good looks, she is in high demand at home parties.
Sharing with VTC News, Cao Dieu Linh said that these are completely healthy entertainment activities. In recent years, when karaoke bars in Hanoi have not been reopened, these parties have become more and more popular.
The host often invites a few musicians, or even just a guitar player, to come and sing along. The atmosphere at those parties is very happy and cozy.
According to Dieu Linh, although she is not a singer, she is still in high demand because many people recommend her. For her, singing at these events is both a way to satisfy her passion for singing and earn income. If she unfortunately encounters a technical problem, people will sympathize with her and even applaud her to sing again.
“I think this form of entertainment will develop even more in the future,” said Dieu Linh.
Minh Anh
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