Live Show Critics
By Jessica Hart
Going to a live music show nowadays can mean a variety of things. Is it an open mic? Jam sesh? Do you pay at the door or need a ticket? Is this at a regular music venue or a pop-up? Is this a large artist or indie? Full band? DJ? Choreograph dance with explosions?
I’ve seen criticism lately with artists that sing with a backing track. While most artists do this, the reasons can vary from the style of music, to the lack of infrastructure. Some people think it’s lazy, when in reality, without the backing track, the vocal layers and effects wouldn’t be there. We see this with a lot of indie artists that don’t have a full band, but large artists have always used backing tracks. A track behind the vocals is not equivalent to a lip-sync.
Many big artists also use auto-tune and vocal effects on their microphones. We still go see them, so why is their criticism when indie artists do it? When someone is travelling on their own, with all their equipment, they are also supposed to sing 100% each show every night? For a $20 ticket? Seems far-fetched.
Jessica Hart, performing with Tep No at Adelaide Hall, Toronto
We go and see live music for the entirety of the performance, not just one aspect. If I wanted to hear the song exactly as it is, I’d just open Spotify. I want to see what the musician does on stage, how they interpret their songs live. The price of the ticket also changes my expectations. $20 at the door to see four acts? GREAT DEAL! Sound issues at one point? A super drunk lead singer? Still worth it.
I’m there to see the talent perform live, in whatever way that means for them.
I think instead of criticisms we need to support small acts and the indie scene. Pay the ticket and enjoy the show. It’s cheaper than a movie nowadays. AND if you must criticize those that are taking to the stage because their performance is less than you hoped, I do hope you have a bigger following, and make sure you stayed for the full show.
What do you think? Is there a ticket price that if you spend you demand a higher quality show? Or are you just happy to watch artists in their habitat?
Feel free to comment below.
