Re: questions & stuff

Dylan (dylan@exmachina.com)
Tue, 09 Jul 1996 10:17:48 -0400

At 10:14 AM 7/9/96 +0100, Chris wrote:
>
>
>On 8 Jul 1996, Jason Brancazio wrote:
>
>> question -
>>
>> has anyone been to a concert of dance type music and seen how many people
>> stand in the crowd with dull stares? At the Chemical Bros.' Irving Plaza
>> show, which was admittedly not loud enough, I was completely depressed by
>> the odd experience of seeing a couple of guys massaging machines onstage
>> while 90% of the crowd just stood there and watched. It was weird for I
>> guess reasons fairly indescribable but I guess 'lifeless' would be close.
>. Isn't a good portion of even the music we discuss here about
>> dancing? Or at least head-nodding, smiling, feeling it a bit? I was like,
>> man, if this is the future of music (the technological aspect of the show
>> and the non-involvement of the crowd) I want out. Maybe they just weren't
>> loud enough.
>>
> Jay
> I can see what youre getting at here - where is the
>entertainment in whatching two people push buttons? ie for this sort of
>music, you should (imo) be either dancing or chilling out and gabbing
>etc. This *is* rave music after all, and Ive always thought it a bit
>pointless to go to gigs of bands that make this kind of music. Saying
>that I do sometimes go to these sort of dos, eg N.O.W last week, as you do,
>out of curiosity. I dont think its a criticism of
>the music except for its mistaken belief that it would work as a live act
>.

I don't think it's a mistake to expect an act such as Chem. Bros. or Orbital
or any other primarily electronic/programmed group to deliver a great live
show, especially if they go on tour (an indication that *they* think they're
ready to perform live...). The problem is that since all the sounds are
pre-programmed, the 'live' element doesn't come out the way it can when you
can subtly change any/every hit of a drumstick or pluck of a string. The
musicians need to get more creative in the way they approach a live show so
there's more room for the slight improvisation that makes a live show rock.
Anyone who has seen The Orb live knows what *can* be done, it just seems to
me that a lot of other electronic groups just don't go that extra step. I
think (or rather hope) that as the music progresses, more artists will
emerge that can really work a live show (and it *will* be work!). Imagine
K&D kicking it live and doing it well....(mmmmm :)

>Also Ive heard from people whoi went to Tribal Gathering that the Chem
>Bros werent the most exiting thing there. I reckon at Phoenix Im going to
>be glued to the jazz stage.
> > > > > > >
> Chris
>
>
BTW - I saw the Chem. Bros. last year at Irving plaza, and although they
were definitely loud enough, I did leave wishing that they had tweaked,
twiddled and massaged a bit more...maybe they just aren't great live.

Dylan (dylan@exmachina.com)

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