So this time around I am kinda going out there a bit. I have been attending more shows than ever, just in a different way. Usually when I show up to a show I introduce myself to the bands, kinda give them a heads up that I am writing on the show, etc. I have noticed that this makes for a huge difference on how a band will present themselves after this experiment.
I have been going out to shows and seeing new artists that PB has never covered as of yet, going into different scenes, and of course going back and attending shows of artists that knew I was there last time but did not know this time around. Shows were attended that were very well packed with people, and others there were very few people there.
One group in specific, when I attended the first show 4 weeks ago, there was a lot of people there. Probably 250+. The band was awesome. Great energy, awesome stage presence, just showed the whole package. I was very impressed and thought “why has this band not moved up in the scene and known?”. Well, it was not their draw, it was the headlining bands draw, but that should not make a difference.
The same group I happen to catch a couple weeks later at a venue about the same size as the first, not a great lineup so the crowd was not there, but I thought “Same band, this should be good. I am going.”. I was VERY disappointed. They were flat. The stage show was not there, they were wearing flip-flops on the stage with no “attire” like they had the first time. I sat and pondered for quite a while on what was wrong. It did not take long to figure out, 250+ people = awesome show. 25 people = relaxed “mailed in” show.
Now I am picking on one artist that I am not naming and calling out intentionally. Why? Because more bands do this in the scene than not. They will always play down to their crowds. It was even quoted from one of the bands I was watching during set change saying “they only paid $10, what do they expect”. WTF?? Really? I paid $10 too because I saw you a couple weeks earlier and I wanted to enjoy the presence again, not be disappointed and disrespected.
So with that whole back story to this rant now in front of you, you can see why the title. Nothing is more important than the show. Period. It should not matter if there are 5 people in the crowd that showed up and paid their money or if there are 500. You may not make the same at the end of the night, but those people sure paid the same. Why any artist or group that has aspirations of becoming professional musicians would ever play down when the crowd is down just amazes me.
Not only is it very disappointing for the fans, it is disappointing for the venues, it is disrespecting every single person that supports you, and it makes you look like pompus arrogant assholes. It’s that simple. I saw on a message board one day people making fun of a band out of Lawrence, KS called Sidewise because they were wearing “guyliner” and going all out for 20 people in the crowd. I seriously wanted to reply and ask “why wouldn’t they, if they do it every other night, why not tonight?” but I restrained myself because it was another artist I respected (although I am re-thinking that).
Honestly, this is another reason the “scene” is the way it is. NOBODY will support people that do not respect them, or earn their money. If people wanted to see half-shows and toned down acts, they will go see them for free each week at the local coffee houses around town, not the full fledged venues that have spent literally thousands of dollars on sound and lighting to put on SHOWS. If you don’t respect your fans enough to play for them, they will not pay to see you.
So bands and artists, please for the love of music and everything with it, if you want this scene to thrive – DO YOUR THING EVERY SINGLE TIME. If it is 5 people, 25 people, or 3,000 people in that crowd, leave it all on the stage for those people. Do not totally make a joke out of local artists like this. If you will do it for one show, do it for all of them. Show these people that are coming out that you are serious, you want them there, you demand that they enjoy what you do. I guarantee you if you put it out there every single time, your numbers will go up, you will make more money, people will come out to your shows because you ARE a entertainer.
Frank Arena
Project Backstage
