What makes a good concert?
This question is one that I have been thinking over for quite some time. And after much deliberation, I do have some theories….
While some of us practically spend our lives at concerts, most probably only catch a concert on occasion. However often the attendance though, there is still something about a live performance that draws even the casual listener in. Perhaps it is the almost surreal experience of seeing your favorite band live, seeing those songs come to life on stage, seeing that music you have heard only on head phones take shape. You could go to “study” the music and watch the musicians themselves. It could also be the social aspect of a concert that draws you in. Concerts are something to do on a Saturday night, and are always a good choice for you and some friends. In addition to your friends, even, you could also seek to meet other like minded people at concerts. Chances are, if you like a certain kind of music and they like a certain kind of music, then you could be a fair bit alike. There are many reasons that bring us to a show. Music itself is certainly universal, and in a way, concert going is as well.
Often times we may never forget those moments spent in front of a good live band –I know that there are many that I will never forget. The question that I have been grappling with is just what is it that make those concerts so great? What makes certain concerts better than others. Seems simple enough right? You just know what is good and whats not. Well I thought so too, until I really started to think about it. What is it exactly that draws us in and keeps us there?
After much deliberation, this is what I have come up with. In a way, it kind of serves like a “concert meter.”
The essentials are:
1. The Unexpected. To me, one of the most important factors of a concert is that you don’t know what is coming next. The set list should be a good mixture of the new and the old material, the popular and the not so popular. Although I know that many people come to a concert to hear the hits, I believe that a concert can, and should mix things up a little. How interesting is it really if an artist just sticks to just their string of hits? I think that any song, from any album should be fair game. Perhaps a B side or a deep cut, or maybe even a cover could make things interesting. Examples: I have seen Tom Petty 3 times now. Now I am a big Petty fan, but I have to say that almost every time I have seen him, he has played almost the same set list, in nearly the exact same order. “Free Fallin’” has always third or forth, “American Girl” has always been the encore, and most of his staples seemed to fall in relatively the same order. A couple songs changed up here and there, but for the most part, the first time I saw Tom Petty could have been the last time I saw Tom Petty. Every night was really a night of the hits, with only a few songs that differed. An example for comparison is the band moe. I have seen moe. 5 times and each time has been a completely different experience. There have only been a few songs that have been repeated between all of those shows, any song serves as an encore, the shows are always a mixture of the new and old material, and the set list seems planned moments before taking the stage as opposed to planning one for an entire tour (or worse yet, a career).
2. The varied. Initially, this may sound similar to “the unexpected” but I am thinking of something a little different. What I mean here is varying the songs themselves. I certainly think that there is talent in being able to replicate a song exactly how it sounds on record. Some people appreciate that, and I can see why. For me though, this is not all its cracked up to be. After all, I already have the album, do I really want to hear the tracks played back verbatim? I could spend alot less time and money at home listening to the same thing. There is always something that can be done to change things up a bit. Perhaps a different solo or maybe a new arrangement could change it up. Maybe a new, unexpected intro to the song, or even extending parts of the song works for some bands. Anything to change things up. Example: I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers play a few years ago on their By the Way tour and they did an excellent job of varying things up. John Frusiante’s solos differed from the ones on the original recordings and seemed more improved and on the spot, songs like “Can’t Stop” had extended intros that created anticipation of the song itself, and the band seemed in the moment at all times, as if they could change things up at any moment. They were never going through the motions, and their level of energy and willingness to experimentat showed it. A perfect counter to this was when I saw the strokes a little while ago. I like the Stokes, and I like their music. This show, however, was nothing to write home about (although, I guess I kind of am). Their songs were played straightforward with little deviation, there was really nothing “unexpected” about their show, and through it all, they seemed to be going through the motions. A band certainly does not have to change up their songs for them to seem “in the moment.” There were several things that turned me off from the Strokes that night, and that is just one of them.
Note: I did see the Strokes a couple years before and the show was much better, and rather enjoyable.
3. Connection to the audience. The connection to the audience can make or break a show quicker than anything else on this list, and is in many ways it is the most important thing here. There is really no getting around it, to be a successful band or musician, there must be a strong connection between them and the crowd. First, it is easy to spot an act going though the motions. You can hear it the music and see it in the band itself. For music to truly resonate with an audience, it first must resonate with the musician. Music must be inspired and from the heart to mean anything. It must have feeling and soul behind it to elicit a response. Second, some kind of verbal interaction with the crowd can go a long way. After all, the audience is why the band is there. This could be just a quick “How is everybody doing?” or casual conversation, or interaction on the level of encouraging the crowd to sing along with certain parts of the song (obviously without overdoing it). Example: At Bonnaroo ‘06, I caught Ben Folds. Ben Folds accomplished the “connection to the audience” requirement better than anyone I have seen, which made for one of the best shows that I have attended. There was energy behind every note of every song, he and his band were consistently in the moment, and the music was clearly made for the audience. Not only did Folds encourage the audience to sing along, he divided the entire audience into thirds and organized a complex three part harmony. Reminiscent of the Who, at the end of the show, Folds picked up his stool and repeatedly smashed it on the keys of his baby grand to sounds of clanking keys and screaming fans. It was one of the most energetic shows I have seen, and one where everyone was captivated.
4. Being in the moment. To reiterate briefly, being in the moment is essential. Going through the motions is simply not going to cut it live. This is the most important thing that any band can do. It is also the easiest to explain. Any good show must have this before anything else.
Basically, a good show is built on spontaneity, energy, and chance. If the band is in the moment, then chances are the crowd is too. Seek out those bands that are living to perform, not simply performing to make a living. To hold a crowd all evening takes talent, having them remember that night, every night, is a gift.
Oh, and next time you see Tom Petty, yell for “Wildflowers” or “Square One” before “Refugee.” (That is, if you are one of those who yells out songs. Not that there is anything wrong with that…) Anyway, you never know, he may want to play it as much as you want to hear it.
