Get Off My Lawn
I've been trying to figure out why I'm not as interested in seeing live music as I used to be. I guess the obvious answer is that I've seen so much of it that not much live music seems new. Once you've seen a few guys playing guitars a few hundred times, you don't really need to see it again. So then you resort to seeing music that comes with a built-in spectacle. Like aggressively punk rock. Or cute and Japanese. But spectacle doesn't have anything to do with music, does it? You can't exactly take cute and Japanese home and listen to it in headphones. After a while, even the most elaborate shows start to give you that empty feeling again.
But wait. Maybe there are other reasons I don't like seeing live music anymore. Like maybe I'm a cranky old man who hates people. That's certainly a possibility, because I am cranky and old and I hate people. The problem with that theory, though, is that I don't feel like I hate people any more or less than I ever have (I especially hate you) and I used to go to shows all the time. So that's probably not the reason I don't like seeing live music. Or it's at least not the only reason.
As I'm sitting here thinking about this (mostly out of the need to have something to write about), I think that possibly the best explanation for why I don't get excited about seeing live music anymore is that going to most live music shows isn't very participatory. I mean, you go, you stand there, and you listen. I guess you could dance, but that's not always appropriate and--as I've mentioned in this space before--my dancing skills are subpar (to say the least). Usually while standing there listening, I feel like I want to be doing, rather than just passively consuming. The internet has probably spoiled me here, with all its participation. Simply standing and watching seems, like, so twentieth century.
I realize that I could just be playing music--and I've done that before--but then there is that group of people (usually small, in my case) that are just standing there. I guess that's good for somebody who wants attention, but I'm not really that sort. I would rather those watchers were part of the action instead.
That would just turn into a drum circle, wouldn't it? Everybody just banging on things in some sort of freaky love-in. No, that's not what I want at all. Because, you know, I hate people (see above). So there must be some sort of middle ground; some way that everybody can participate in the playing of the music without the whole thing devolving into tie-dye and patchouli.
This will require more thought.
But wait. Maybe there are other reasons I don't like seeing live music anymore. Like maybe I'm a cranky old man who hates people. That's certainly a possibility, because I am cranky and old and I hate people. The problem with that theory, though, is that I don't feel like I hate people any more or less than I ever have (I especially hate you) and I used to go to shows all the time. So that's probably not the reason I don't like seeing live music. Or it's at least not the only reason.
As I'm sitting here thinking about this (mostly out of the need to have something to write about), I think that possibly the best explanation for why I don't get excited about seeing live music anymore is that going to most live music shows isn't very participatory. I mean, you go, you stand there, and you listen. I guess you could dance, but that's not always appropriate and--as I've mentioned in this space before--my dancing skills are subpar (to say the least). Usually while standing there listening, I feel like I want to be doing, rather than just passively consuming. The internet has probably spoiled me here, with all its participation. Simply standing and watching seems, like, so twentieth century.
I realize that I could just be playing music--and I've done that before--but then there is that group of people (usually small, in my case) that are just standing there. I guess that's good for somebody who wants attention, but I'm not really that sort. I would rather those watchers were part of the action instead.
That would just turn into a drum circle, wouldn't it? Everybody just banging on things in some sort of freaky love-in. No, that's not what I want at all. Because, you know, I hate people (see above). So there must be some sort of middle ground; some way that everybody can participate in the playing of the music without the whole thing devolving into tie-dye and patchouli.
This will require more thought.
20 Comments:
Elaborate shows have always left me feeling empty.
I have better memories of shows at the PiknPak than anything at the Summit.
Particaptory is the way to go, even if that just means shooting the shipoolie at the bar.
I get out less and my getting out will only detiorate further (for a while anyway) but getting out is still where it's at and I appreciate it more when I do.
But again, I like the small show. If I'm not in the band I want to be with the band not looking at it like a sucker.
Dug it Justin. I hate you too.
listening is participating.
Good point Yawn. There is this idea that if you are just sitting there you aren't participating. I guess that's like saying just reading a book isn't participating in the book. By extension I would suppose there is active and passive listening.
Anyhow a much appreciated thought.
I've been fairly clear on how I feel about going out to shows. Ramon shows that it isn't about getting older or having kids, it's about what you want to do with your time. Me, I've changed my priorities regarding music. I guess the reason could fill a book. A very dull, unreadable book.
Yes yawn, listening is participating, in a sense. But on what Ramon is touching on, "just reading a book is like saying you aren't participating in the book," I think the level of participation is negotiable. Reading the book is not a way of participating directly in its creation, whereas at a show, the creation of the music is often directly affected by the audience.
No I disagree reading a book is VERY participatory. That's why when a book (take the harry Potter books for example) get turned into a movie everyone says "The Movie is not a s good as the book". That's because reading takes imagination and you put a lot of yourself in there. When I read Seamus Haney's translation of Beowulf, what I imagine is not the same as what you imagine. So yes reading is integral to the creation.
Fuck yeah! Intelligent discussion! Rockin'!
Let's talk about ways to participate in the creation of what you read and/or hear. Maybe how to participate in what you read and/or hear in this blog, there is so much to be participated in! Let's hear about that.
go to better shows.
What would you do at those shows?
Not Being Cynical said, "Let's talk about ways to participate in the creation of what you read and/or hear. Maybe how to participate in what you read and/or hear in this blog, there is so much to be participated in! Let's hear about that."
Dear Not Cynical (return)
I read your suggestion to get heavy and look deeper on Mr. Crane's recent posting for the Nonalignment Pact. (return)
I tried to not make fun of you and destructively weed ate my personality to come up with something smart. (return)
I have so far failed, but plan on returning when I have matured. (return)
And as far as what I would do at a show.... Try not to take it personally when I'm not moved.
Sincerely,
HS
I have a really short attention span. Even at the best show I need something going on or I am bored. Indy rock killed the rock show. Lucky for us The rock show is coming back. I just hope that my back will be able to take it. I thoughly enjoyed Elivis Costello and even Sigor Ros but I had a chair.
Nowadays there is not much dancin' unless you are at a punk rock show of old farts. Something Fierce is awsome but the last time I saw them the crowd stood around being critics, rebuilding he songs in their head or something. I HATE IT.
I only hope that the rebirth of metal will allow people to feel comfortable enough to at least shake their fist and be an interactive crowd again.
I love our band and the songs are good BUT people stand around like your at a poetry reading.
Guess I need to rock more.
ANY TAKERS? CRAMER? RAMONE? KILLER?JUSTIN?
faster!
I'm telling you jman. I'm starting a dance band to shake things up a bit.
Looking to franchise in Houston. Very few practices, only three songs per set, good sense of rhythm a must.
you know i will do any band, dance , hip hop, reagae,
noise, post punk, punk, hell might even consider a rockabilly , hum, maybe not but at any rate, all of this makes a person wish for, ah hum "Party Weekend"
Joe King Carrassco? ( not really )
Hated to do you guys that way but just trying to make a point
Ha!
I saw a Joe King Carasco album in a bin at In Your Ear records in Boston...
...with Harrison Lee!
I was not tempted.
My problem with shows these days is that for some reason, as I age, my ability to handle crowds diminishes. In fact, at this point, I honestly believe it's something deeply pathological, because even when I WANT to see the band, and even when I'm already there either because my own band is playing or some miracle got me out of my house, I usually end up outside the venue, listening from the street because it's less crowded. Obviously that diminishes the enjoyment of the music and the show, but it's just how I am now, for some reason that I'm not altogether comfortable with. I just hate crowds with a passion, especially in a small enclosed space. Maybe if there was a show I wanted to see somewhere bigger, like Numbers or something ridiculous like that (but not the Summit), I could stand it, but when I go (especially) to the Proletariat for instance, it just drives me batshit crazy to be in there with a loud band playing, in that relatively tiny enclosed space with ALL THOSE PEOPLE...
You just had to go and pull the Joe King card.
I'm still perplexed by the fact that this was written by somebody who travelled to Spain two months ago to watch live music.
freebird.
Doug, it's not that I'm not interested in live music, it's that I'm not as interested as I used to be. Actually Spain was perfect for seeing live music because there was so much else to take in--different country, different culture, etc--in addition to the music.
Post a Comment
<< Home