|
|
|
A Debate about Live entertainment |
|
|
|
The Bristol Rocks Editorial for May 2008 is
below. Responses to this are posted below the editorial. The
responses are all from gigging musicians. |
|
|
|
|
I went to see three bands at the
same venue recently and got into a debate about what makes a band
worth watching. My argument was that a band or solo artist that has
the ability to entertain an audience as well as playing their music is
much more interesting than a band that just stands there and plays.
The counter argument was that the music is more important than the
entertainment factor so the entertainment doesn't matter. In my
humble opinion, the owner of the counter argument has his head up
his arse. The musician that can entertain has got such a huge head
start on those that don't. A good entertainer can capture the
attention of the audience and keep them listening to the music that
they produce where conversely I have seen bands that play well but the audience
is not interested because no empathy created by them.
One of the most entertaining acts
that I have EVER seen is
Emilie Autumn and that is because her band
gave an unforgettable and unique show. I have lost count of the bands that I
have seen live who's show I don't really remember because they just
stood there and played. There are bands that can do that and provide
a memorable event but only a few that I can recall.
Having written the text above I
realise that what I am actually saying is only a few exceptional
bands can get away with just playing songs on stage. The others need
to bring different strategies into play that capture the imagination of
the audience enough to persuade them to come along to another show.
To me it is like listening to an
average song with and without a good associated video. With the
video the song is interesting without it is dull. You can try this
at home with 'Come Undone' by Robbie Williams.
As always of course, I may be
talking self opinionated rubbish. What do you think?
Kevin. |
|
|
| I totally agree,
Kevin. I hate the standing-still bands as well. But then I suppose
it’s all about charisma – if a performer has it then they can do
nothing and still be compelling. If they haven’t got it, then no
matter what shapes they throw they’ll just look stoopid.
Pat. |
| |
It's Show Business!
It's entertainment.
If you and your band are arrogant enough to think you don't need to
make some effort and try really hard to entertain the audience you
probably won't have an audience for long.
Yes they love fantastic playing and music but they have paid (in
money or time or effort or applause) to be entertained. The other
side of the coin is that a bunch of merely adequate musicians can be
really entertaining and take your audience.Si. |
|
|
|
This is something of personal opinion as far
as I'm concerned. I have also had discussions/arguments with
people who say the same things as you have pointed out here. For
me personally, If a band is musically very good it would make me
go back and see them play again rather than a band that are
totally crap but put on a interesting show. I'm a guitarist and
would rather see somebody actually play the bloody thing rather
than jump about like he/she is plugged into the mains without
actually playing very well. Unless you take somebody like Angus
Young who does both, there aren't many that can do that. For a
band to just stand and play, yes you can contain an audience but
you have to be able to play a certain way in order to do that
also. I'm thinking along the lines of Cream for example. As I've
said, this is down to personal feeling. I know people who don't
like a band unless they put on a show regardless of how that band
plays but I also know people that couldn't give a toss if a band
jumps about or whatever, if they can't play then they don't
impress. I fall into the latter category. With Brave Ulysses we
played our asses off and didn't really have much of a stage show
but we felt we didn't need to have one because we were all good
musicians, without sounding like a ego maniac, we did OK as far as
entertaining people were concerned due to the way in which we were
able to drive the music in a certain way, we could certainly whip
people into a frenzy with the intensity of the way we played. That
just comes down to knowing how to play your instrument. Some of my
friends say that I should move about more when I play, I can't do
that because my playing suffers. Playing well is more important to
me personally.
You also have to take into account that most
bands are playing in pubs so as the alcohol starts to flow so too
does an audiences inhabitations, hence why they want to be
entertained. That's why any band playing on the circuit needs to
put together a strong second set. The first is to warm the crowd
up, the second is to scare the shit out of them and take it to the
next level. If you do that, they won't forget you ! It's up to you
as the band on how you achieve that though.
I've also seen bands that just stand and
play but don't play music with any heart or soul and can't play
very well either, that does kill off any audience. Swings and
roundabouts I would say.
An interesting topic but It's up to you at
the end of the day. We all know what we like about a band or
musician and we choose to support them for that reason.
Think of it another way, if you were to hear
a band for the first time on the radio you judge that band on the
quality of the song you are hearing, you can't see them so you
either like the song or you don't. It then doesn't really matter
if they put on a good stage show or not. If you like the music you
will support the band. If that band does put on a good stage show
then happy days.
I may have played on the local circuit for
about 15 years but my opinion counts for f*ck all !! I'm nobody, I
just enjoy playing music and creating it and don't really care
what people think. I've also noticed that most of the people that
actually say to you that you need to entertain an audience are the
sort of people that have never stood before an audience and
actually tried it for themselves. Easy to judge others when it
aint you on a stage in front of a crowd.
Just enjoy playing music for whatever reason
you chose to play it in the first place,
Simon.
|
| |
| I tend to
agree...stick on the album if you want to hear perfection....live
shows are all about entertainment and feeling good.....both are
better than bands who sound crap and don't move though....
F. |
| |
|
It's clearly the case. I remember seeing one very
technically competent band once and fighting to stay awake. Another
who were to be honest, a bit crap as far as their musicianship went
but had good songs, lots of energy and were fun, I enjoyed them more
than the other band.
Stuart. |
| |
|
I fully agree with you.
I was judging a battle of the bands competition in Keynsham a few
weeks ago and that was exactly the comments I made when I had to
announce the results. I made it quite clear to all the bands that
took part that the top three bands were the ones that connected with
the audience by projecting their personality from the stage. The
ones that didn't could easily have played behind a curtain and
whipped up exactly the same lack of excitement without being seen.
When I saw Santana for
the first time back in 1971 at the hippodrome in Bristol they were
supported by a bunch of upstarts know as EARTH, WIND and FIRE who
exploded onto the stage in a blaze of sound, light and visual
effects and blew us all away. In total contrast, Santana came on and
sounded fantastic, but there was not much in the way of visual
stimulation especially from the back of the stalls. The kids today
think all they have to do is pick up their planks, play a zillion
notes in one Bar and think they are going to become and instant
success. We can all play like that but you need contrast , feeling
and PERFORMANCE. There are some really clever young guitarists
around but when it comes to performing rather than just playing they
turn into AUTOMATONS.
Steve. |
| |
|
I think you're both right. From
someone that is perhaps more into music, the music is the
interest. From someone not necessarily so into music, it's more
about the show. Either way, everyone likes a good show. I'm
sitting here watching Green Day on TV. They can play. Any rock
musician would appreciate that. It's also a really good show.
Basically, a crap band can make a
night interesting with a performance. A good band can become
gods. It's got to be good to go that little bit extra....
G. |
| |
| Hi Kev, you
're absolutely right in what you say, the best gigs you ever saw
were definitely where some sort of show was presented as well as
playing all the right notes! DB played well, but it was the unusual
things that built up the following, I especially liked the set
intro! That was a master stroke. Tony. |
| |
| By the way, I agree with
your humble opinion 100% Paul. |
| |
I think you’re absolutely right – the
person you were arguing with most definitely, as you suggest, has
their head up their arse. To be honest, I can’t stand it when bands
just stand there and play without doing anything to connect with the
auduence. In all due fairness, perhaps some of that has to do with
stage nerves, but I think that not bothering to connect with an
audience shows total disrespect for the audience. If people have
made an effort to go to your gig they deserve a little respect in
return for their loyalty. My philosophy is – a band are only as good
as the audience they attract. An audience is your biggest asset – so
look after them.
Of course, this is an argument that is purely subjective, but in my
own opinion, if I leave a gig where the band haven’t even spoken to
the crowd, I feel rather cheated.
Paul. |
| |
|
It's about time I replied to one of these!
I
think it's a combination. When I see a band I want to see a group
of people putting some emotion into the music, maybe making some
mistakes, taking risks, not playing safe etc. This will be enough
to draw me in and keep my attention, assuming I like the music.
OK, so they have to be fairly good, too.
For example, I'm a Django Reinhardt
fan and a few years ago a Django style band were playing the
Prom. "Whoopee!", I thought. "This'll be good!" - WRONG!
Everything they played was safe, mid-tempo material. They lost my
attention the moment I realised that was all they could do.
They were the epitome of mediocrity and, consequently, very dull.
A good show may have helped, but then the emphasis would have been
the show and not the music. I think you need a balance of the
two, and it depends on the music and the aim of the band. If the
music isn't the focus it still needs to be performed with passion
and commitment.
On
the other hand, perhaps it makes people more appreciative when
they see real quality? (another discussion here!) I don't know,
it's a toughie, but there is an abundance of mediocre bands out
there that can easily ruin a night out, and no show will save
them. The music needs to be good first. Will these mediocre
bands die out? No, because they will play what the punters want
to hear and what the landlords want to book and they will be
followed round by their friends. Perhaps I'm being harsh here,
but mediocrity really irritates me.
An
example of a good band for me is the Tonemasters. Definitely NOT
my style of music, but played with energy, commitment and humour
and I loved them!
So, to sum up - whatever the band does needs to be done with
confidence, energy, commitment and the right attitude for the
music/show.
I'll get off me box now and calm down in a dark corner. Thanks
for letting me vent my feelings and I hope I haven't offended
anyone, I certainly don't mean to. I've more than likely
embarrassed myself somewhere along the line! :-)
Cheers
Mark
|
| Hi Kevin
I get your emails all the time (not sure how I got on your list)
but this is the first time I've been bothered to write back.
I totally agree with you. If people are going out they want a
good night out. Live music is about entertainment and bands that
say "it was a really bad audience" are deluding themselves. I
have known so many good musicians over the years (I'm a bit of an
old git now) who spend weeks (or even months) rehearsing their
music to get it "perfect", go on stage and it is as boring as
hell. Others who get together and have a bit of a laugh and put
on a really good show.
If you want to be entertained come and see our band at Fiddlers
this Thursday night! We get put in the pigeon hole of World Music
(to my ears that's often serious folk songs from countries round
the world) but we're primarily a dance band where the spirit and
vibe is all important. I hope you can come.
If you want a preview we've put together a 3 minute promo video
which you can see
hereMartin. |
| |
|
I think it's interesting that it would
appear that those that lean towards the 'put on a good show' side
of the argument tend to be the more seasoned performers. Those
that have had experience of what works and what doesn't.
Hey, wouldn't it be nice to roll up at a
gig, give a great indie band performance (OASIS..esc, bored and
nonchalant) then saunter arrogantly off to the bar secure in the
knowledge that every girl (or guy for that matter) in the venue is
desperate to sleep with you, just because 'your a star'.....it
ain't going to happen is it!
In case we haven't noticed, it's getting
hard out there! Bristol Rocks has dedicated pages to the plight of
the dwindling audience numbers. Venues that are closing their
doors to live music.
I think the ever increasing numbers of bands
and singers are going to be fighting for fewer and fewer venues
that are prepared to put them on. They will also be fighting for
the attention of shrinking audience numbers that are spoiled for
choice (even the Fleece are putting on free gig nights now).
Point is, what makes one band any more worth
a looksee than the next??
I pick up on one commentators remark that he
was watching a live Greenday gig on DVD. I saw Greenday at Milton
Keynes a few years back. All the bands were good, but all were in
my own subjective opinion, bland in comparison to Billy Joe and
the boys. Even before they went steller, Geenday were picking up
'best live band' and 'best live show' awards everywhere they went.
What made them more memorable, apart from
some great songs. Showmanship, pure and simple showmanship!
It wasn't a pantomime (there is only one
Kiss after all), but it was a great rock & roll night out for
everybody there.
A friend of mine who has produced the likes
of Simply Red and The Commitments said that the artist need to
draw the crowd in, and that is especially true of the front man or
women. Lots of eye contact, tell a good story, make em laugh and
make em cry! Make them feel that you are totally present there in
the room.
I think we are ALL going to have to work
just that little bit harder however we do it, or we are going to
find ourselves with no audience to play to.
Keep up the great work Kevin
Paul L
|
|
|
