What do you look for in a live performance?

DonovanB

There seems to be two schools of though on recording a band.

One approach is to record it as you replicate live. The other is to Produce it as you can only in a studio.

Now my question is this, When you do watch a band live, or on DVD for that matter, do you like the live performance to be the same as what you heard on CD or mp3 or do you like it to differ?

I'm not talking drastic differences, just minor differences in melody, arrangement, solos, intros etc.

And what do you think the benefits are for the band and viewer?

---mario---

I like it to be ciked up, music as its bought in albums or whatever is for easy listening to me, if I see a live performance I want to feel the energy and have the music just fill the space so you could experience the effort straight from the artist. A good live performance, that still sounds great without all the mixing and what not makes me appreciate the instrumentalist's devotion, talent and creativity so much more.

Bob-Dubery

It's a tricky matter. I don't expect the artist to reproduce the CD in concert, but you do need to actually recognise the pieces and their essence should be intact. If that essence relies on a specific effect then you need to have that. I can think, for example, of several John Martyn pieces that, even if he were playing solo, would require the use of an echoplex (or something similar). U2 have songs that rely on specific effects - they have to reproduce those live. If I saw Gilmour or Mayer live and they didn't have the same effects units as used on the record then I think that wouldn't be too much of a problem for me.

singemonkey

I want the band to deliver the energy and confidence of the record at least. I don't want to see them unsure of themselves, or playing with far worse sound than the record. I don't care if they deliver a few bum notes and mistakes, as long as the level of their playing is in the same ballpark as the record. Some bands that can barely play are produced up to sound great with session musicians, multiple takes, punching in, etc.. I don't want to discover that live.

If they have to totally rearrange a song to play it live, that's fine with me. As long as, as Bob says, it's still the same song.

Best rock band I ever saw live was Sonic Youth. They came on with a titanic blast (a song called "teenage riot") with such attitude and confidence as you'd expect from a band that had already been around 25+ years. The tone went on for freaking days. Multiple amps, more fuzz pedals than you could fit into a car boot and - and this is crucial - they knew exactly what to do with them. The songs weren't right off the albums. But all the vibe was right there on display.

Tonedef

The guys on stage must be having fun, and look like it. Too many okes take themselves too seriously, with the resulting funeral service vibe.

DonovanB

How do you feel about Longer intros, solos and more dramatic endings live vs. the recordings?

ezietsman

Donovan Banks wrote How do you feel about Longer intros, solos and more dramatic endings live vs. the recordings?

Yes, that sort of thing is why I rather buy Live DVD shows of my favourite artists than CDs. The live performance is supposed to show what the song really sound like and not what is a good format for radio play / fitting onto CDs etc.

Bob-Dubery

Donovan Banks wrote How do you feel about Longer intros, solos and more dramatic endings live vs. the recordings?

Longer intros - OK, but not too long and they need to lead into something I recognise at some point (preferably before I go for a pee)
Longer solos - fine by me, but as a rule I like solos (long or short or inbetween) to be adding to the song or at least in some kind of context with the song, not just solos for the sake of it.
Different endings - well you can fade out on a CD....

Bob-Dubery

singemonkey wrote I want the band to deliver the energy and confidence of the record at least. I don't want to see them unsure of themselves, or playing with far worse sound than the record.

Ja. You want confindent, authoritive performances. Nothing tentative.

And you need to be tight - good timing etc. All the virtuosity in the world and the best material get you nowhere if you can't keep time.

Bob-Dubery

Tonedef wrote The guys on stage must be having fun, and look like it. Too many okes take themselves too seriously, with the resulting funeral service vibe.

Maybe.

Certainly you need to take the performance seriously.

I don't see that people have to bang heads or grin every 5 seconds or gooi lots of guitar hero poses. IMO Performers can be fairly static during songs and still deliver a compelling set.

Seventhson

Well they should live up to their reputation and to make every show the best experience.

And maybe add a little twist to their songs but keep the core of the song still there.