Weak covers or Strong Originals?

Thunderthumbs73 · #1 07-09-2008, 10:40 AM

If you had a shot at playing a once a year local fair/festival, with that date rapidly approaching, which would you do?

-Play covers to please the audience even if you don't play them nearly as well as your originals which makes you seem to the uninitiated/unfamiliar like a worse band than you really are, though you're just trying to please the crowd with songs they know.

-or-

-Play your originals which you are much better at and can play will more confidence and conviction and show your best side, knowing that there's only once chance to make a good first impression, particularly for a once a year festival.

I don't know the answer to this. Why do I ask?

For example: I know some indie bands that if asked couldn't play "Sweet Home Alabama" or "Brown Sugar" or sound like a train wreck trying, but can surely play the hell out of their original songs, and may sound fantastic doing it. Yes, I know some indie bands CAN play all that stuff.

If you are a band that faces this "weak covers or strong originals" issue, for a festival and knowing you have one chance to make a good first impression, what do you do?????

And ps, I'm not pro or anti-cover band, nor am I a promoter or appologist for any original song/thought idea. And god, I DON'T want to get into that "which is better" dead horse. (please!) I feel very neutral on this, but offer it up for grabs.

And pps. This isn't me in disquise. I just think its an interesting situation which I know occurs for various groups.

Chickencha · #2 07-09-2008, 11:08 AM

Play whatever's your strongest. Why would you play something weak when you're able to play other stuff that's strong?

If you don't think your "strong" originals will impress the crowd, then they must not be that strong. If you think covers are necessary to impress the crowd, then work on your covers so that they become strong.

There's no excuse for playing something weak, in my opinion.

Thunderthumbs73 · #3 07-09-2008, 11:10 AM

Interesting answer- no right or wrong in my mind. Thanks for your response.

Phalex · #4 07-09-2008, 11:11 AM

Festival crowds tend to be very transient. You don't really have to worry about holding people there. Originals are fine. Maybe even better in a festival type atmosphere.

GabeN · #5 07-09-2008, 11:13 AM

Play what you think sound best in practice. Any well played song is better than a crappily done one.

mrwink · #6 07-09-2008, 11:13 AM

What about doing both?? I used to be in a band that did about 30% originals on every paid gig... if it was a freebee or pay-to-play it was all original - I wasn't crazy about the originals this guy wrote!

Have fun with whatever you do an connect with your audience!

kaputsport · #7 07-09-2008, 11:16 AM

Is there a reason your covers are not strionger?

If you are capable musicians, shouldn't you know what to play, and when to play it?

I would think capable musicians can cover a song well, and play an original well, with little difference in ability between....

cnltb · #8 07-09-2008, 11:16 AM

Play what sounds best when you play it.

Atoz · #9 07-09-2008, 11:24 AM

We just did the festival thing last week. We did covers + originals, and it went over well. Phalex is right about festival crowds being transient, so there's a little more room for experimentation.

Green Mind · #10 07-09-2008, 11:45 AM

For me it would be originals hands down, I'd rather play my own stuff, especially if I felt it was the stronger of the two, regardless if the audience enjoyed it as much.

themarshall · #11 07-09-2008, 12:05 PM

What type of fair/festival are we talking about? In small town midwest, the local fair/festival means playing in the "beer tent" or perhaps pavillion. The crowds want to hear songs they know - so originals, no matter how strong, won't carry the day. That said, I would either stick to the stronger material, knowing some of the crowd wouldn't "get it", or just decline the offer.

mambo4 · #12 07-09-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GabeN

Any well played song is better than a crappily done one.

Apologies for being a devils advocate, but I can't agree 100% with this idea. Discarding musicianship so poor as to be a train wreck, Imagine the choice were between well played, poorly written songs and poorly played, well written songs? There are countless bands whose technical skill impresses me but whose songwriting or aesthetic choices leave me unimpressed. Tho I generally am more interested in other band's originals, sometimes I would prefer a sub par cover song performance to a well executed original.

that said, In the OP's case, I agree with most here: stick with what you think sounds best.

#13 07-09-2008, 02:42 PM

play some strong originals and some strong covers...

IanStephenson · #14 07-09-2008, 04:33 PM

Play what you were booked to play.

If you're an originals band, and were booked on the strength of that, the play originals. If you were booked by pretending to be a covers band, then you better get practising covers.

Ian

stpvoodoo1 · #15 07-09-2008, 04:57 PM

play covers cause no one gives a **** about the originals

Chunk-O-Funk · #16 07-09-2008, 05:02 PM

How did you get the job? As an original act or a cover band?

Go with that. That's what the people will be expecting, no?

CapnSev · #17 07-09-2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atoz

We just did the festival thing last week. We did covers + originals, and it went over well. Phalex is right about festival crowds being transient, so there's a little more room for experimentation.

^ Do both.

LiquidMidnight · #18 07-10-2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaputsport

Is there a reason your covers are not strionger?

If you are capable musicians, shouldn't you know what to play, and when to play it?

I would think capable musicians can cover a song well, and play an original well, with little difference in ability between....

+1

Regardless of whether I'm in a covers band, an originals band, or a mixture of both, I've always had one prerequisite: I don't play with garbage musicians. I don't care how "creative" a person is; if they can't play their instrument at a professional level, I'm not going to play with them. Therefore, it wouldn't be an issue, because I wouldn't be in a band that writes weak, sadly executed original material and I wouldn't be in a band that doesn't have the ability to faithfully recreate cover music.

Wow, this is a really arrogant sounding post I've made here.

Geddyfleaharris · #19 07-10-2008, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

+1

Regardless of whether I'm in a covers band, an originals band, or a mixture of both, I've always had one prerequisite: I don't play with garbage musicians. I don't care how "creative" a person is; if they can't play their instrument at a professional level, I'm not going to play with them. Therefore, it wouldn't be an issue, because I wouldn't be in a band that writes weak, sadly executed original material and I wouldn't be in a band that doesn't have the ability to faithfully recreate cover music.

Wow, this is a really arrogant sounding post I've made here.

That's ok.....we bass players are know for our hubris.

Our band has a festival show at the end of the month. We got onto the bill on the strength of our demo CD (heavy rock) so we are playing all originals BUT knowing that it is a classic rock festival we are throwing in 1 cover song that we do well and fits our band.

Stumbo · #20 07-10-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geddyfleaharris

.... we are playing all originals BUT knowing that it is a classic rock festival we are throwing in 1 cover song that we do well and fits our band.

OT...just curious....where in the set will you play the cover tune?

Maybe open with it to get the crowd's attention?
Put it in the middle to change up the set a bit?

I don't think playing it at the end would as good an option..probably want to end with a strong original.