Live music poll....

[Roddy]

When you go to watch a live band, whatever the genre, do you prefer to have the lead member talk and communicate/connect with you, as a crowd member, between songs, or would you rather he/she just let the music do all the talking? And why?

 

[Shmoses]

I like to be talked to by the band, I suppose. Mudvayne were cool, they really connected with us, sympathising with us about how hot it was. Fear Factory smoked a blunt on stage which was awesome. The first time I saw The Mars Volta they didn't say a word, just played for 2 1/2 hours, which was badass, and the second time I saw them they did talk to us which I didn't like as much. So I guess it depends on the band.

 

[anti.]

depends on what the talk is. if its the usual 'this song is....' or 'how the **** are you!!' or some wack shit like that id prefer they shut up. but if it somehow adds to the show like when cedric bixler used to do plays on words in the ATD-i days then i'm down with that.

and yes, volta not speaking and just playing was just right.

 

[Heisenberg_]

depends on what the talk is. if its the usual 'this song is....' or 'how the **** are you!!' or some wack shit like that id prefer they shut up. but if it somehow adds to the show like when cedric bixler used to do plays on words in the ATD-i days then i'm down with that.

and yes, volta not speaking and just playing was just right.

Have to say I agree.
On;y want them to speak if they have something interesting to say and it doesn't sound like its forced, making it add to the atmosphere and making it like just a massive jam

 

[anti.]

Have to say I agree.
On;y want them to speak if they have something interesting to say and it doesn't sound like its forced, making it add to the atmosphere and making it like just a massive jam

its a miricale!!

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

As long as it's not political i like the band to talk.

Madness always spoke during gigs and they were lots of fun.

 

[nicky]

As long as it's not political i like the band to talk.

Madness always spoke during gigs and they were lots of fun.

I agree with this, as long as it's idle chit chat then i'm fine with it.

 

[Bourky23]

depends on what band it is really... if they are characters then yes.. if they are just boring then i'd prefer they got straight on with it.. audience connection can make or break a show

 

[legitimatic]

John Butler, terrific musician but whenever he gets into one of his rants at the start of a song it's best to shut off

 

[Dagless]

Hmmm seems that if I liked U2 I would either really want him to either BADLY shut up for the hypocrite he is (I heard he goes on rants)
Or I would go nuts

- advice STFU and just play the damn music, no one likes you simply because of your views

Casual chat isn't bad, ie a small intro to the song (This one goes back a ways, you guys might know this one)

 

[emperor]

depends entirely on the band and who is doing the talking.

 

[Constipated Duck]

I agree with Zarko.. introduce the song maybe.. quick quip about how it was written... then play it. Deep Purple's Ian Gillan was very good in this regard.. conversational and friendly but didn't break the tight feel of the band with unnecessary babbling.

Saw Motley Crue with Motorhead late 2005, and MC were disappointing. Motorhead played 12 or so songs, were barely on 40 minutes. "This one's called... " then BANG and into it..

Motley Crue played around 2 hours, lots of talking, crowd "particiption" ie : we pay you $130 then sing half of it for you, strippers (posing as girls from the crowd)... couldn't have played too many more songs than Motorhead. They couldn't have missed the point of live music any more.

 

[Dagless]

I agree with Zarko.. introduce the song maybe.. quick quip about how it was written... then play it. Deep Purple's Ian Gillan was very good in this regard.. conversational and friendly but didn't break the tight feel of the band with unnecessary babbling.

Saw Motley Crue with Motorhead late 2005, and MC were disappointing. Motorhead played 12 or so songs, were barely on 40 minutes. "This one's called... " then BANG and into it..

Motley Crue played around 2 hours, lots of talking, crowd "particiption" ie : we pay you $130 then sing half of it for you, strippers (posing as girls from the crowd)... couldn't have played too many more songs than Motorhead. They couldn't have missed the point of live music any more.

Hey I went to the Adelaide show - really went for the Motorhead who are just straight talking and straight into it - unfortunately as you said, they werent really on long.

 

[Mr Sensitive]

it really depends on the band. Like others, I've seen the Mars Volta where they say next to nothing and it's just amazing because it heightens the atmoshpere. Conversely, I've seen NOFX and they never shut up between songs and you love them all the more for it. Fat Mike has to be the funniest and most charismatic front man in music.

 

[Bomber Bears]

Depends on the band. Agree with above assesment of nofx, makes it better. Frenzal Rhomb can talk to much but are still generally good. On the other hand Pennywise and dropkick murphys when i saw them just blew me away with the intensity of there performance.

 

[w00dy]

depends entirely on the band and who is doing the talking.

totally agree... there are some bands who are there to rock out and have a good time, and talking suits their show... foo fighters are a band who stand out, Dave is great when he talks between songs...

there are other bands who just have a real presence about them... cog is one who springs to mind, just deliver their music with a concentration that talking would take away from the spectical...

 

[Refried Noodle]

Some talk is good. Someone mentioned John Butler talking too much. While they put on fantastic shows he does politicise things a little bit more than I'd like. I don't mind a political message, but I don't like being told what to think.

That said I saw The Killers in the summer just gone and the fact that no-one ever uttered a word outside of a song was a real letdown . Talking to an audience gives each show a slight uniqueness. This show felt generic and uninteresting. Mr Flowers didn't even initiate a crowd chant/clap or sing-a-long.

Great crowd-artist interaction concerts I've been to recently are Bob Evans (bit of a comedian), Gomez (loved the crowd), Lily Allen (paying the shit out of Jet) Pearl Jam etc etc.