RSSPutting on a show versus performing
Mar 04
Live show lady gaga, live show No Comments
After a few conversations today, some arena rock, and a large quantity of Lady Gaga YouTube performances, I started wondering just how much the music industry has changed in a few ways.
I’ve already chipped in on the mp3 debate, and pushed for my friends to go out to more shows to support local artists, but I’ve only ever had conversations with artists on a one-to-one level. So, I wanted to throw this thought out there:
What are you doing that makes your live show special every time it happens?
If your audience can go home and download your music for free, and they can communicate with their friends and intake so many other things from the comfort of their own couch, what are you doing to draw them out to see you?
Is it not enough today to simply write a great song and be able to perform it flawlessly at 2am in a dimly lit bar after a long day of work at the restaurant down the street?
I think the answer is no. People want/need something special to walk away with. Something that can not be downloaded and put on an iPod. And when it can, they want it to be the type of thing where they can say “I was there!” while their friends say “damn, I missed that.”
So, the questions is, what do you do live that does not happen anytime someone hits play with your music? I hate to push something else on your list of things to be concerned about as musicians, but I think it’s a valid concern from both the performer and audience perspective.
If your music is great, but your shows are no different than the one before, people will most likely not line-up to see you play.
I’ve personally said it a million times, and I will probably say it a million more. There are so many options out there, and even more and more in our comfy four walls, that if seeing your option once does the trick, why would I do it again?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m fighting for you, but my attention span is getting shorter and shorter… and I’m part of the older generation!
=-)
with love,
Ryan
