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Why do people like live music?
- Thread starter myzhi
- Start date
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Depends on the genre of music.
For pop and rock music, I no longer see the point of going to arena shows. The benefit of minor changes from the studio version is offset by the exorbitant ticket prices, the dumbass beside you who sings along off key, and the dumbass in front of you who won't sit down. Pop music is nice in small halls, though.
For jazz, though, live music>>>>studio recordings, since improvisation is a key element. And for classical, no stereo on earth can match the sound of a well-trained full orchestra, in a hall with nice acoustics.
For pop and rock music, I no longer see the point of going to arena shows. The benefit of minor changes from the studio version is offset by the exorbitant ticket prices, the dumbass beside you who sings along off key, and the dumbass in front of you who won't sit down. Pop music is nice in small halls, though.
For jazz, though, live music>>>>studio recordings, since improvisation is a key element. And for classical, no stereo on earth can match the sound of a well-trained full orchestra, in a hall with nice acoustics.
I used to feel the same way. I never go to huge concerts, either, because they're so fucking expensive so they can just fuck themselves. I've come to really like small venues, though. Being right there in front of the band with the live music blaring through enormous speakers surrounding you can't be matched by listening to music through a stereo. Plus, most of the time I see a band, it's a band I've never even heard of, so it's new music to me.
LinesInTheSand
Banned
Is this a joke post? Maybe you need to find some bands with actual, you know, TALENT?
Late Stage Marxist
Member
Live music can be great to listen to if there is different instrumentation than the studio version. Or if there is much in the way of improvisation, particularly in regards to solos.
Exactly. That's the primary reason why I enjoy listening to live versions of songs I've heard dozens of times on the CD -- often, you hear something new that completely blows the studio track out of the water.trippingmartian said:
Of course, many bands can suck live, especially if their producers have punched up their sound a great deal on their recording. But for the talented bands, you'd be crazy to suggest that hearing them live is anything but an enlightening experience.
FortNinety
Member
To appreciate the art of creating music live and not hide behind machines.
kitchenmotors
Banned
FortNinety said:
Honestly, a lot of the "art" in current music, live or not, is shit. There's a lot to be said for sound that is created through computers. I often feel it can be far more powerful than a live performance. Most bands peform day and night, it's not as personal or special, it's a routine. There's nothing like the feeling of opening a new Aphex Twin or Dntel CD and basking in it's brilliance in the comfort of your mind, without the terrible venue sound or screaming idiots.
There's only certain bands I've seen that bring anything special to the table live. Mum is one of them, amazing performance.
Wellington
BAAAALLLINNN'
myzhi said:
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For me, it's the improvisations from the artists that I love. One small example of this is on the Blue Deluxe album from Weezer is Surf Wax America (Album version), and a live version of the song that they performed at a show. There's this little guitar thing that Brian does at certain points of the chorus that I MUCH prefer to what we hear off the album. I dunno, I just really dig the room for improvisation, which of course has its roots in jazz.
FortNinety
Member
kitchenmotors said:
I for one can seperate the music from the audience, though there are times when the audience can enhance a live performance.
Also, you mentioned the art in current music is shit. No arguments here; most current music is[/i[shit.
And I know that you're not saying this, but anyone who thinks that computerized music beats out live instruments is total fool, and this is coming from a die hard techno, electronic freak.
Lemurnator
Banned
Blues and Jazz can't be captured in a studio recording, at least nowhere near as it can in live performances.
Also, listen to How the West Was Won, Live at Leeds, AC/DC LIVE, and Ozzy Osbourne's Randy Rhoades Tribute for some great examples of Live albums.
Also, listen to How the West Was Won, Live at Leeds, AC/DC LIVE, and Ozzy Osbourne's Randy Rhoades Tribute for some great examples of Live albums.
ZootedGranny
Member
This is almost as funny as a post on another forum where someone asked why emcees move their hands and arms around while rapping.
The Faceless Master
Member
URL?ZootedGranny said:
Live music can be an awesome experience, if done right. There ARE bands which have no ability to add an extra dimension of energy or improvisation to their music in the live setting, and it's a waste of money to see them. However, for the most part, you can learn a lot about a song by hearing it live, and it will change the way you hear the studio version forever.
With that being said -- I HATE going to concerts. In my life, I've gone to easily over a hundred shows, and at some point, I simply couldn't overlook the negative points anymore, to the point that I couldn't even enjoy the music. Drunk, drugged, loud, ridiculous people I'm sure are having fun in their own way...but they fuck up my enjoyment entirely.
With that being said -- I HATE going to concerts. In my life, I've gone to easily over a hundred shows, and at some point, I simply couldn't overlook the negative points anymore, to the point that I couldn't even enjoy the music. Drunk, drugged, loud, ridiculous people I'm sure are having fun in their own way...but they fuck up my enjoyment entirely.
I think it's a valid question, since there are many artists who go out there and play music exactly like they play it on the album. In those cases, it is pretty boring. Two of my favorite "album" artists are Tori Amos and The Sisters of Mercy, and I've sadly been pretty bored by their concerts.
A lot of it has to do with venue as well. It's kind of hard to get into the music when you are fifty rows back or in the nosebleed section of a football arena. I prefer shows in small venues where you can get close to the stage without paying $50 and the artists don't mind interacting with the audience.
There are other groups that try and mix things up a great deal, with new instrumentals and/or different instruments. If you go to a punk rock show, the chaos that goes on in the audience is what makes it interesting. I hit the Warped Tour every year even though I don't listen to any of the bands on the tour, just because I enjoy being in the midst of a hyped-up, pseudo-violent crowd of people.
A lot of it has to do with venue as well. It's kind of hard to get into the music when you are fifty rows back or in the nosebleed section of a football arena. I prefer shows in small venues where you can get close to the stage without paying $50 and the artists don't mind interacting with the audience.
There are other groups that try and mix things up a great deal, with new instrumentals and/or different instruments. If you go to a punk rock show, the chaos that goes on in the audience is what makes it interesting. I hit the Warped Tour every year even though I don't listen to any of the bands on the tour, just because I enjoy being in the midst of a hyped-up, pseudo-violent crowd of people.
kitchenmotors
Banned
FortNinety said:
What kind of electronic music are you listening to? There are tons of electronic albums that have awesome textured sounds that could not be produced with an actual instrument.
Take for example, NIN's We're in this Together. The song uses instruments, but the guitars had to be manipluated so heavily to get a smooth sound flow that guitars aren't supposed to make. It soundsgreat, but cannot be produced live. In an interview Trent said that it sounded like crap live, not even Robin Fink could get a decent version out, and he's a brilliant guitar player.
Or a band like Telefon Tel Aviv, who spend hours upon hours splitting beats and reconstructing them. Their sound textures are simply amazing, very jazzy in origin, but made with synths. When they play live, most of it is through a computer. I have yet to hear a band sound as good as Telefon Tel Aviv live.
The dummer of the Icelandic band Mum is very good, the best drummer I've heard play live. His sound is so quick and complex, it's not cock-rock power drumming that is so overused, it sounds almost as if it's coming through the computer, pre-programmed. This is an exception to the rule, combined with Mum's use of excellent and interesting instruments, they can produce a sound that surpasses pre-programmed electronic music.
A lot of people prefer instruments over synths, but I like the degree of textures and sounds that electronic music can produce.
The atmosphere. It's cool being in a big place and knowing everyone else there (for the most part) is a fan as well. A good concert can be something you'll remember for years and years -- listening to a CD or a song off your iPod can be fulfilling but it's not particularly memorable. Plus, who doesnt like paying $8.00 for a Long Island Ice Tea?
enjoy bell woods
Banned
Because if you see a really amazing live band -- like Super Furry Animals, who've yet to be beaten in my book -- you'll be hooked on the idea that some bands can make already-impressive songs amazing.
This is what a great show is all about:
GREAT SHOWMANSHIP, FUN, AND FANTASTIC MUSIC.
This is what a great show is all about:
GREAT SHOWMANSHIP, FUN, AND FANTASTIC MUSIC.
Schmo Florez
Member
Go see A.F.I live then see me in the morning.
Semjaza Azazel
Member
I really am not a huge fan of listening to live tracks on my stereo. Obviously seeing a band live is a completely different experience.
At the same time, live cuts can be interesting because of the differences. There are quite a few musicians that change up their songs... changing lyrics, adding solos, changing styles completely. The slowpaced version of The Man Who Sold the World by Bowie is fucking awesome. Not to mention Marilyn Manson's "lounge" version of 1996.
Many bands with actual talent actually sound better live, as well. A lot of it obviously depends on the production of their CD though... for example, I think MxPx's studio CDs are absolutely awful, but their live shows actually sound pretty damn good.
At the same time, live cuts can be interesting because of the differences. There are quite a few musicians that change up their songs... changing lyrics, adding solos, changing styles completely. The slowpaced version of The Man Who Sold the World by Bowie is fucking awesome. Not to mention Marilyn Manson's "lounge" version of 1996.
Many bands with actual talent actually sound better live, as well. A lot of it obviously depends on the production of their CD though... for example, I think MxPx's studio CDs are absolutely awful, but their live shows actually sound pretty damn good.
truth. One of my favoritemodern jazz musicians (and I don't have many modern onesProspero said:
) Charlie Hunter, has some good albums... but when you see him play live it blows your mind and makes you think the album sucks. They will totally tweak a song beyond what it once was.Great great player. I am catching him live for like the 6th time the week after next.
Error Macro
Member
Hmm, I have some completely different opinions on a couple of bands mentioned in this thread.
AFI sounds exactly like their studio recordings when they play live. It's amazing, and it shows that the band has legitimate skill. But, that quickly becomes boring.
MxPx sounds terrible live! I've seen them several times headlining, and Mike just plays through the songs with seemingly no feeling. It's very stiff, and ultimately boring.
As Jinx said earlier, going to concerts has become tedious for me, and the experience has been ruined on many occasions by assholes around me. I despised being stuck behind some sweaty fat kid smoking a joint at an Offspring concert I went to. Nothing like hearing "The Kids Aren't Alright" while smelling the stench of weed and having smoke in your eyes.
I have never been to see a symphony perform, but I imagine that would have to be the greatest argument for seeing music live. In a well tuned acoustic hall, you could never properly duplicate that sound at home through your stereo. I have heard some very expensive setups that sound very good, but none can match the live experience.
AFI sounds exactly like their studio recordings when they play live. It's amazing, and it shows that the band has legitimate skill. But, that quickly becomes boring.
MxPx sounds terrible live! I've seen them several times headlining, and Mike just plays through the songs with seemingly no feeling. It's very stiff, and ultimately boring.
As Jinx said earlier, going to concerts has become tedious for me, and the experience has been ruined on many occasions by assholes around me. I despised being stuck behind some sweaty fat kid smoking a joint at an Offspring concert I went to. Nothing like hearing "The Kids Aren't Alright" while smelling the stench of weed and having smoke in your eyes.
I have never been to see a symphony perform, but I imagine that would have to be the greatest argument for seeing music live. In a well tuned acoustic hall, you could never properly duplicate that sound at home through your stereo. I have heard some very expensive setups that sound very good, but none can match the live experience.
Semjaza Azazel
Member
Error Macro said:
Really? The show I went to was pretty damn good. Definitely not stiff or feeling...less.
I think the studio CDs were absolutely dull by comparison (especially the fact that most of them sound like they were recorded in a cave).
Error Macro
Member
Semjaza Azazel said:
You are lucky my friend. Maybe I caught them on bad nights or something. I would have felt completely ripped off if it hadn't been for the other bands that were on before them.
Have you heard Ten Years And Running ? All the songs where remixed and remastered and sound quite a bit better than before. I wish they would go back and do that to Teenage Politics and Life In General, at the very least.
Semjaza Azazel
Member
Error Macro said:
No, I've not. I'll have to check that out.
The only disc of theirs I've actually held onto was that live CD they put out. At the Show I think? That was pretty comparable to what I saw. Good disc.
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