What's wrong with 2023 audiences?

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#41
Altitude said:
Here's what I think it is, opinion informed by observations of my two teenage daughters. There is mainstream music, but it's so far removed stylistically from what you and I are used to that we scarcely recognize it as music and it's not the sort of thing you pick up in a cover band.

I just looked at the Billboard Hot 100 list. The songs on it right now are a combination of "hot country", hip-hop R&B, and Latin. Very little of what you'd normally think of as coverable live music, maybe except the Latin. This is music that was not conceived to be played live, nobody hears it and wonders how it would sound live like we did. Yes, the kids do go to the shows when these people tour, but from what I could tell from the pictures I saw there wasn't a band onstage at the Weeknd's show or Post Malone's show. People go to see the artists dance around and sing.

So - new popular music just doesn't feed the live music scene the way it did in for instance the 80s when I started playing. Which leaves us to play a lot of that same music we've been playing all along for audiences of increasing age and decreasing size.

We're old and live music is no longer as interesting to the demographic that mostly goes out at night.
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I saw Halsey last summer with my teenaged daughter. It was Halsey (she actually played bass poorly for part of one song), one guitar player, and a drummer. Most of the music was entirely tracks. It sounded good but it wasn’t something a cover band would want to do.
 
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#42
Altitude said:
Here's what I think it is, opinion informed by observations of my two teenage daughters. There is mainstream music, but it's so far removed stylistically from what you and I are used to that we scarcely recognize it as music and it's not the sort of thing you pick up in a cover band.

I just looked at the Billboard Hot 100 list. The songs on it right now are a combination of "hot country", hip-hop R&B, and Latin. Very little of what you'd normally think of as coverable live music, maybe except the Latin. This is music that was not conceived to be played live, nobody hears it and wonders how it would sound live like we did. Yes, the kids do go to the shows when these people tour, but from what I could tell from the pictures I saw there wasn't a band onstage at the Weeknd's show or Post Malone's show. People go to see the artists dance around and sing. Taylor Swift apparently has 27 outfits she wears on this current tour, many on one night.

So - new popular music just doesn't feed the live music scene the way it did in for instance the 80s when I started playing. Which leaves us to play a lot of that same music we've been playing all along for audiences of increasing age and decreasing size.

We're old and live music is no longer as interesting to the demographic that mostly goes out at night.
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Agreed. But, my point is that if you even pick out the danceable material and go out and perform it, in general, no one responds. In any age group.
 
#43
micahwc said:
I saw Halsey last summer with my teenaged daughter. It was Halsey (she actually played bass poorly for part of one song), one guitar player, and a drummer. Most of the music was entirely tracks. It sounded good but it wasn’t something a cover band would want to do.
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Yeah, I saw Billie Eilish last year. Actually it was an excellent show. Billie, her brother, and a drummer plus lots of tracks. Well executed for what it was but no way people are covering that stuff.
 
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#44
I have not noticed this--my bands always get at least polite applause and at best, huge rowdy dancing screaming crowds. Sure, people looking at phones has increasingly become a thing over the last 20 years. But if no one is clapping after songs or interacting with the band in any way, you may be playing for the wrong audiences and your repertoire may need updating.
 
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#46
I'm no expert but I've been gigging since I was 18. So many things are different now.
-back then DUI laws were different as was how things were handled, it was common for police to pull someone over and give them a ride home
-smoking bans drove many folks out of bars
-cell phone coma status
-so much more media that people can see all day, you have to work much harder to get their attention

I'm not glorifying driving DUI or smoking since I don't participate in either activity. Just pointing out those things changing drove alot of folks out of the bars.

We play what most here on TB would consider "dive bars" and are still having fun. That's looked down on by many here but that's fine. Making a connection with the audience is key.
 
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#47
Being paid 100$ for a gig is quite insulting too...

Being paid 100$ in 1980 is like getting 370$ today ...

upload_2023-5-25_9-52-52.png
 
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#48
I've also been gigging for 30 years, though have been sidelined for now with a medical issue, likely down for a year or two. Anyway, before stopping I was in two projects - an 80's hair metal and a 90's/2000's grunge/metal band. Both bands had no trouble getting people out on the floor and keeping them there - usually.

A couple of thoughts -

I think the main problem at hand is that you are the wrong band in the wrong venue. Couples with a kid stopping in for a fancy beer? They are there to talk and chill - you are background noise, and if you are really noticeable then you're a distraction. I'll do this kind of gig with a couple acoustic guitars and have fun with it, but not with a band. Find a venue where people want the music, and they want to be pulled in. I see a lot of musicians who have worked to get the "better" gigs yet then complain they don't get the cheap beer dance party all night crowd anymore.

Also, as others have said, focus. Playing "something for everyone" means you are the grocery store sound system. Pick a thing, own it, and go to where your audience will be. Don't just play songs - be a show. Deliver the attitude and flair that goes with the music. 80's hair metal? Let's be clear - my head is shaved because genetics took my hair, and age has taken away any thoughts of tight leather pants. But fitted black jeans, some style and flash in the shirt/jacket, and an appropriate bass set the vibe. Add in a bit of swagger and it's close enough. From the moment we enter the venue we are not grown up programmers/psychiatrists/carpenters who play songs - we are Rock, and the 80's are on.

It's still out there, we just need to work a bit harder and smarter to find it and enjoy it.
 
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#49
Matt R. said:
No because I’d give them the benefit of the doubt since they were likely preoccupied with infinitely more important matters, considering the purpose of the benefit.
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I strongly disagree mate. The girl is in full remission and the fundraiser was for some general leukemia foundation.
The least they could have done is say thank you and shake our hands for donating our business for the evening.
 
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#50
bucephylus said:
No doubt. But, playing material from current popular artists - Adele, OutKast etc also tends to have zero effect.

bucephylus said:
Agreed. But, my point is that if you even pick out the danceable material and go out and perform it, in general, no one responds. In any age group.
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Our generation was similarly rebellious. Witness the original Woodstock. But, the musicians quickly figured out that playing with others up and down the age ladder was a good thing. Audiences back then were all listening to the same Top 30 / 40 playlists. Many things have changed.
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Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, I am definitely not diminishing any rebellion of past generations. That was just a response to the point that was brought up of the current youth seeming to not be rebellious.

Also, it sort of depends on what you consider "current", you know? OutKast was formed before I was even born. I don't know anybody my age range who is looking to hear OutKast when they are going out. That is considered mega 90's and early 2000s. Adele, well I guess it depends what you're playing. Is it her stuff from like 12 years ago?

The harsh truth is that age is a big factor in it. Something about seeing a group of older musicians playing modern songs is a bit of a turn off for a lot of people. It seems off-putting, phony and try hard in the sense of trying to remain relevant to them. It's a bit of a no-win scenario.

For the record, most of my gigs were done with people over twice my age so I understand your musician age ladder comment. But we can't blame the audiences for what they like or respond to.

Edit: I forgot to mention, there is a huge going out and dancing scene still amongst the various electronic music genres in particular. People are dancing, but not to the old stuff. Just like it's always been.
 
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#53
So luckily we don't have that issue here in NJ. our fan reaction is always pretty good even for charity events which we recently performed at this month. They even gave us a thank you on their FB page :)

Midland Park Children's Love Fund
Rob Pizapio it certainly was! You guys were amazing! We’ll be posting our grand total for donations within the next couple of days. We are so grateful to our Midland Park Community and all the bands’ participation!
 
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#54
I don't see this issue. Not only my band but lots of the better bands on my market get people up and dancing pretty regularly.
Are you playing the right kinds of places for what you are looking for from the crowd?
Are you actively engaging the audience during songs or just playing?
What's your show production look like?
Does the band dress like they want to be rock stars or dads having a weekend jam while drinking a couple beers?

A lot of these things aren't things folks around here like to acknowledge are important but they really are if you want to not be a "wallpaper " band. Being good musicians is only one part of the equation.
 
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#58
I saw this on gigs later in the 2000's when 'smart' devices and data plans evolved. I see it these days w/people buried in their devices as they walk their dogs. No engagement with their pets at all.

"Gee hon, why's the dog not listening to my commands?" Try walking a dog w/o a device blocking one's view. The best place & time to train a dog is while on walks. It looks embarrassing to loudly command a dog but, it's about who's the Alpha. It's no wonder many people treat their pets as accessories rather than family members.

Similarly, I prefer to know my surroundings rather than be buried in a device.

I'm glad I was born when I was. Not perfect but, I can get along with less modernity.
 
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#59
As someone who spends time at a lot of hipster microbreweries, I am literally never there for the band. I go for the beers and if there is a band performing, I am likely not paying any attention because I’m there to socialize and drink beer. Unless they’re playing original music that’s pretty hip, I simply did not go to see a band. Especially if it’s a cover band. I’m fact, I was at a brewery a couple weeks ago and the cover band, though not unskilled musicians, was so loud that my friends and I actually left and went to a different brewery just to get away from them.
 
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