Interesting assertions. Mot much of substance in any of that by way of an argument.
Is there something about that prior “70 year phenomenon” as you call it that upsets you personally? You come across as being rather hostile towards it.
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Another gig where we quit early because the crowd left.
- Thread starter 51PRI
- Start date
Interesting assertions. Mot much of substance in any of that by way of an argument.
Is there something about that prior “70 year phenomenon” as you call it that upsets you personally? You come across as being rather hostile towards it.
There was a time when making a living at music was not as difficult as it is now. Consequently, the overall quality of entertainment has deteriorated as pros are replaced by hobbyists. I still think there is no need for theatrics if the music is top notch.Well, there was a time (possibly before yours) when the music and the experience of being there provided its own magic and was more than enough with no theatrics required.
Not any more apparently. Nowadays people are so overstimulated by the constant sensory barrage they’re subjected to that “just” listening and getting into anything isn’t enough. Audiences now require a full stage show with lights, their cameras, and plenty of action - or it “just” doesn’t work for them.
Different world. Different people. Different mindset. So it goes.
“It’s not the times, it’s just the dream that died.” as an old song put it.
An audience is often very wrong and that's because they only often know what little they know. However, I agree, its not an argument the band will win anyway.
Sorry, it's up to the band to read the room and provide what the audience is looking for.
If you don't engage the audience and keep them there with whatever it is you're doing, that's on you as the "entertainment", not on the audience.
"The audience is never wrong" as 40Hz correctly put it.
If you think the audience is wrong because they just "don't get it", I think it's you, the band, that doesn't get it.
If you don't engage the audience and keep them there with whatever it is you're doing, that's on you as the "entertainment", not on the audience.
"The audience is never wrong" as 40Hz correctly put it.
If you think the audience is wrong because they just "don't get it", I think it's you, the band, that doesn't get it.
Ironically, every POP tour is filled with theatrics.
I'm wondering if that's part of the problem, beautiful scantily clad women walking through fog banks and implied pyrotechnics with incredible lighting and multilevel stages...
Opposed to three middle aged men at a local pub with bad lighting and no bells and whistles.
It's at all possible that over the top stage production has at some level ruined live music for the rest of us.
That's a very arrogant and elitist attitude.
No. Audiences can just not get it because they may not know a single thing about music.
Unfortunately, that doesn't disqualify them from having an opinion because they've bought the ticket.
I'm fine with that.
Unfortunately, that doesn't disqualify them from having an opinion because they've bought the ticket.
I'm fine with that.
People listening with their eyes.
But these pop tours usually have top level musicians (whether or not you like the music is another matter).
You don't have to know about music to appreciate music.
If you're not playing to your audience, who the hell are you playing to, your own ego?
Geez dude...
There’s been a ton of documented and juried medical research conducted both here and abroad on the topic of sensory overload due to media bombardment. And it’s been established it’s a real problem. Not just some “could it be that” Discovery Channel pseudoscience blurb.
Sensory overload produces a state of unfocused but pervasive low key anxiety, resulting in things like: shortened attention spans, the inability to sit still for more than 10 minutes, unprovoked or minimally provoked bursts of anger and fits of rage, a fascination with violence and incidents of public humiliation, constant unnecessary multitasking such as texting or videoing while doing something else, the desire for constantly increasing levels of sensory stimulation, the constant feeling you may be missing something… the list goes on.
Sensory overload brought about by an increasingly linked and available on-demand world is a real problem.
I have a weird theory: I think to a certain extent bar bands are training their audiences to expect the same songs every other bar band plays. These songs are not necessarily chosen because "it's what the audience wants", they're chosen because the musicians are too lazy or unskilled to learn anything else.
But again, you're blaming the audience, because, the band couldn't possibly be wrong, right?
The bands I'm in have had no issues keeping younger people dancing all the way to last call - you just have to play the music they want to hear and dance to. A lot of dad-bands just don't play that stuff.
It rather helps if you aren't tone deaf and you actually actively listen to it.
Ego is a great driver and I can't think of a good musician I know who doesn't have one. I know of a fair few who like to pretend they dont have one though.
Again, fine with that, walk it.
^^^ This ^^^
19/ 20 times or better your audience is made up of regular folks, not musicians. They want to dance, eat/ drink and party.
My point was, go ahead and blame the audience and think they left because they don't know anything. You're still standing on stage to an empty room.
If you don't figure out what they want to hear to keep them there, you won't be playing there much longer.
All fine but if it's not your job as a band to grab the attention of the listener and hold it, then what is your job?
Yes, everyone who stands up and performs has some ego. There's a difference between that and being so out of touch that if an audience doesn't like what you do, they are somehow not listening right.
