stigd
Strummer
Getting to know you, getting to learn all about you.
Posts: 33
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Post by stigd on Apr 27, 2017 11:16:17 GMT
I was wondering how others here felt about noisy audiences. I was at a holiday park recently, admittedly not an acoustic event, and the band on stage were virtually ignored by the audience. Nobody clapped at the end of each song. People chatted (shouted in some cases) all the way through the performance. The only sign that anyone appreciated the live band at all was when some would dance to a song. Should this be regarded as normal now? I've noticed even at folk sessions that people are generally less attentive. When I perform I sort of like to think that people are enjoying the music enough to actually listen, if not in silence, then at least respectfully. After all, a good singer or musician puts their heart and soul into making a song come alive. If you are a pro or semi pro should you just accept that you are being paid and are just there to make background music? That concept seems a bit pointless to me. Might as well just play a cd or tape loop. Likewise should your song selection be soley concerned with what you think people want to hear or those numbers which you have a connection with? Even big stars have complained that fans are more interested in filming or playing with their phones than actually listening live. Is this to do with shrinking attention spans, lack of common courtesy or what else are we to conclude?
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leitrimnick
C.O.G.
Posts: 152
My main instrument is: Fylde Oberon
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Post by leitrimnick on Apr 27, 2017 11:27:10 GMT
Shrinking attention spans or lack of common courtesy? Both I fear, they seem to be hallmarks of the 21st century. Makes me glad that it is very rare for me to play out.
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,554
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 27, 2017 17:33:27 GMT
I've played those kind of gigs, luckily they are not the norm but they do happen often enough. I've been busking for years now so being totally ignored doesn't bother me the way it might some people. I've seen performers get angry shout at an audience to be quiet, and while I could sympathise, the outburst made them seem a bit of a prat. I do believe that modern technology has reduced attention spans and made people feel the need to do 5 different things at once rather than truly enjoy the moment.
If I am being paid then I don't mind if I am only background music, as far as I'm concerned it's still better than working a 9-5 job. I'd rather play gigs where people listened quietly but I am not well enough known to be that picky about where I play. I do my best to make each performance as good as I can, if truly no one is listening then I will try out a new song or arrangement to see how it 'feels' live. There is always something you can learn from each gig if you keep an open mind and don't let being ignored get to you. It also helps to focus on the people who are paying attention. Nearly everyone will have to face this kind of gig at some point, you need to accept that it will happen and have the determination to still give a good performance regardless of the audience.
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Post by andyhowell on Apr 27, 2017 18:48:15 GMT
It is becoming a greater and greater problem which is very real. Broadcasters will tell you that attention spans are getting shorter which is why news pieces are pithier — and that impacts on audiences. A few of us in Brum set up an occasional evening just to make sure we had a decent audience that was around to listen to original song.
For the last year I've been part of an arts project that has aimed to take a range of arts activities and performances to one of Birmingham's most 'excluded' neighbourhoods — mainly solid white sink housing estates. A few things have surprised me.
Pn the plus side, at smaller — very localised events — I've had some young people talk top me about how they like my songs (I suspect because somebody is shot in the first one). But they are genuine.
But, at some bigger events there is something else that all of us have noticed. People don't know how to behave as an audience. They are uncomfortable sitting and listening. This is not an experience they have in their everyday lives. This might some weird to some of you but it is very real here.
I fear this is just going to get worse.
The worst gig I have had over the last couple of years — a paid one — was the worst ever. The organisers can't understand why I won't do it again.
You have to find your pitch. I write my own songs and — in the main — stick resolutely to that. I kind find people that like it. But I'm now going to be more selective and am happy to cut things out.
I would hate to be somebody trying to really do something serious at the moment, having to do all this social media stuff and so on. I have not in my mind to try and move into the folk club circuit in the autumn have being asked to do a few guest spots locally. What are my expectations from the established clubs? Not very high.
But, it I hear another f((&(&(ng version of Wonderwall somebody is going to die ....
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Post by andyhowell on Apr 27, 2017 18:52:16 GMT
I should add that friends who work professionally in community theatre and arts education say the same thing about having to help people understand what being in an audience is all about!
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Post by vikingblues on Apr 27, 2017 19:13:26 GMT
The last local gig I went to (the North Berwick branch of the Edinburgh Festival) most of the audience seemed more interested in yakking loudly than in the music. Except for a few of the well known "hits". Ignorant gits! That was a performance they'd paid a fair bit to go and see. Totally turned me off going to any others since. Mark
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stigd
Strummer
Getting to know you, getting to learn all about you.
Posts: 33
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Post by stigd on Apr 28, 2017 7:02:19 GMT
Interesting responses, thank you. I was on contract with an entertainment agency a few years back and you basically have to go where you are sent. People shouted out requests as if I were a human jukebox. 'Do a Rod Stewart song'. They don't understand that you can only do the numbers you rehearse. I think I reached my nadir when I sang 'Is this the way to Amarillo'. I only usually sing songs I am passionate about or identify with. The thing is though if you are paid to entertain or provide background music you can't be too precious. You have to try and strike a balance between being true to yourself and providing a service for which you are receiving money. Difficult. And not made any easier by people yakking to each other or on phones. Seems to me that people aren't fully where they are physically situated any more if you see what I mean. Concentration on the moment is a lost art. Or maybe I am harking back to a golden age which never really existed. Performers have always had to compete with loud talkers in pubs for example. Just seem to be so many more distractions now.
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Post by PistolPete on Apr 28, 2017 9:25:53 GMT
I'm at peace with general background chatter on bar gigs (although I might take exception at a theatre) but I find the failure to acknowledge the end of songs with a smattering of applause to be pretty rude. It's only something I've noticed happening more recently which, assuming my belief that I've improved considerably over the last decade is not entirely delusional, would suggest the etiquette has got worse. I guess the transition of baby boomers into retirement while the pubs are now filled with people who spent their youth in Cream or The Ministry of Sound might be one reason for it.
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Post by earthbalm on Apr 28, 2017 9:53:18 GMT
At the last gig I went to - Magenta (a prog rock gig and my first rock gig in 20+ years) at the end of March, Christina, the lead vocalist had to tell a couple of members of the audience to shut up as she couldn't hear herself introducing songs! I think, perhaps, that we listen more loudly than we used to so we speak more loudly than we used to do. I still can't bear the sound of a distorting speaker.
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stigd
Strummer
Getting to know you, getting to learn all about you.
Posts: 33
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Post by stigd on Apr 28, 2017 12:35:40 GMT
I guess that rock bands have an advantage over us acoustic performers (even when amplified) as they can just blast their way over the top of all background noise. I dislike bar-room shouters, people who carry out a conversation above the sound of the music which may only be on once a month. Is their chatter so important that they have to ruin the atmosphere? The implication is 'this is my regular bar and I'm not being outdone by you musos'. I have seen landlords and ladies wincing at this attitude, not wanting to upset their customers. And I agree, if someone is making an effort to entertain you, applaud them
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Post by slasher on Apr 28, 2017 13:31:23 GMT
Most of the events I perform at are pub/public events, mainly song and tune sessions. As most of the audience are fellow performers then they generally behave. There have been one or two problems-- A singer at at a session did not realise that there are unwritten rules. She brought a crowd of supporters with her who talked through all the other performers until they were told to shut-up. Once when I was singing a quiet song a phone went off, was answered, and a conversation ensued. I stopped my song and waited until he finished and apologised profusely for interrupting his phone call. The audience were amused the phone user was livid. I feel that if people behave in such an ignorant manner then they leave themselves open to some verbals. They get them from this C.O.G. anyway!
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stigd
Strummer
Getting to know you, getting to learn all about you.
Posts: 33
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Post by stigd on Apr 28, 2017 14:58:26 GMT
I think one of the rudest things is when a someone interrupts your intro to a song which is obviously intended to set the scene for your performance. This happened to me when a fellow performer's wife decided that opening a window was more important than listening to me. I was too gentlemanly to comment but I didn't clap when his turn came, especially as his wife was the most awful flutist I've ever heard! To add insult to injury, they were allowed to play a second song, presumably because there was two of them and it was his turn to accompany her by playing guitar and singing to her diabolical screechings. Ah the joys of folk clubbing.
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,554
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 28, 2017 15:33:27 GMT
I dislike bar-room shouters, people who carry out a conversation above the sound of the music which may only be on once a month. Is their chatter so important that they have to ruin the atmosphere? The implication is 'this is my regular bar and I'm not being outdone by you musos'. I have seen landlords and ladies wincing at this attitude, not wanting to upset their customers. And I agree, if someone is making an effort to entertain you, applaud them I think there is a real possibility that people who are drunk have no idea how loud they are. If it is their local and they have not come to listen, they probably don't realise they are causing a nuisance. It really is up to the bar manager or staff to let them know to pipe down. There are many "unwritten rules" about how people would like other people to behave. If people don't know the rules, it's probably better to quietly let them know how it's done rather than telling them to "shut up", as I doubt they would feel welcome to back after that. I have heard time and time again how folk clubs are dying but I have also seen older members exclude younger people who may have had no experience with the style of club by belittling them, so it's a catch-22 situation. I can forgive someone for their phone ringing as they may have forgotten to turn it off, but having a conversation is just rude, no matter what public setting it is in. I find the "I am performing now - you MUST pay attention!" people nearly as annoying as the ones paying no attention at all. There seems to be a complete lack of common courtesy these days in general. What really annoys me are people who harass you turn up to their gigs but won't ever go to anyone else's, but that's for another thread...
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Post by andyhowell on Apr 28, 2017 17:05:19 GMT
Ah, Lyn - now you are talking :-)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2017 17:35:08 GMT
Yep, went to 'hear' the excellent Dalla play at The Bell in Bath a few weeks ago. Two guys say opposite us just talked loudly throughout the whole bloody set. I kept giving them the evil stare, but didn't make much difference!
p.s as an ademdum to this, I went to the Odeon to see Beauty and the Beast, and a young girl sat in front just to the right of me was on her phone texting constantly, especially when a song came on. And there are a lot of songs. My partner reached over to tell her to turn it off after a while, but again it made no difference. She obviously could not live without checking her phone every 30'seconds, and I'm not even exaggerating.
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