Totally, but we’re all to blame. Why would bands bust their asses to make music if no one comes out to see them play, or if there’s a lack of good venues, or if sound guys suck? And contrarily, why would anyone waste their time going out to support shitty bands, night after night, in shitty venues? And look at it from the venues’ side of things – why would they invest in a great sound system, or solid promotion, if the aren’t enough bands to play there regularly, and when the bands that are playing there are mediocre, and not drawing crowds? It’s a vicious circle, and everyone’s responsible for it.
There’s also the very real problem of Malta’s geographical isolation. Bands from abroad that are on tour just don’t come here because it’s not cost-effective. Imagine if the government in Malta subsidized some of the costs of traveling to Malta for bands from abroad, and/or the costs of promotion, as long as local bands are on the bill. That would be GREAT for the music scene here! Malta needs a major infusion of culture, and the government needs to invest. If Malta wants Valletta to be a credible cultural capital in 2018, then it needs to be the actual hub of culture in Malta. Currently, what is going in Valletta aside from lots of construction, and a few restaurants and wine bars? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. And that is immediately apparent to anyone walking through the streets at night.