Lots of people attend concerts of all genres, but what makes a concert better than just listening to an album? For some people, just being able to see the artist in person is all it takes for them to feel that a show was worthwhile. They would be just as happy with an artist lip-syncing to their album (however people get upset when they find out this is happening). For others it is the atmosphere that is created by the on stage interaction. Personally, I like shows where the artist goes beyond simply playing their CD. This really shows the ability of the artist. This is evident both in skill with instruments as well as skill in entertaining. A great band can change their songs and add a guitar solo or a transition. An emcee can do a freestyle verse (thought up on the spur of the moment) or test out a new song. Another important aspect is how the artist interacts with the audience. Some groups will simply say the name of the city they are in to make the crowd cheer, while this will work it is fairly generic and obvious that they do this in each city. A great artist can feel the vibe of the crowd and interact both verbally and musically.
Posted by lars1396 at June 1, 2005 2:57 PMGoing to a good show when you have never heard of someone also really influences whether or not you like them, based on thier show. Many of my favorites are of people I have seen that just totally impressed me. I agree with you too, and I also think what makes them great is if they sound better live than on thier cd. If their CD's don't even give them justice as to how good they sound....we've got a winner.
Posted by: Sylvie Thao at June 1, 2005 3:27 PMI know people who feel cheated if a live performance doesn't replicate the arrangement on the recording. But I prefer to hear a different interpretation--otherwise, why not just listen to the CD? Maybe this is mostly about Pop Sensibilities, which value "the way it is on the record," versus valuing fresh interpretations, improvisation, or--in hip hop--freestyling. Jazz for instance is all about improvisation, so a jazz trio will never play the same song twice--even though they might play the same set list at a gig.
Posted by: Tim G. at June 2, 2005 1:53 PM
This is true of almost all performances. From music, to drama, puppets, comedians and more. I have a band that just played recently in a battle of the bands show at studio seven in seattle. We sound a bit like a mix of the intensity of fall out boy, with the lyrics and harmonies of cartel. We rocked the house (while trying to be modest). One of the key elements in our stage presence, was the interaction with the audience, and just having fun. We threw out candy during one of our songs, and i did a stage dive after the announcer had told us we won the competition. We're about to play a "battle of the bands, finals round" and are going to do the same. If anyone has some good ideas for a great show, email me and let me know. We just had fun, talked and interacted with the audience, and overall won over the people listening. Even if they werent there for us in the first place.