|
Post by Orange on May 23, 2013 16:15:44 GMT -5
So, I came across a thread on a musician-centered forum about live bands and stage presence. The general consensus seemed to be that the stage presence didn't matter, like, at all.
However, that's what musicians think, and I wanted to see what non-musicians (even though we do have a few musicians here) think about stage presence. I'm a musician myself, so I wanted to get that perspective that I don't have. That's not to sound superior, though, mind you.
So, yeah, does stage presence matter to you at all? Personally, I think it's as important as the music and I think it's highly underrated when talking about live shows. I'm not even talking about fireworks or KISS-type stuff, but I actually don't mind when a band looks like they want to be there. Unless they're shoegazers or something, I think it's disrespectful to the crowd to stand in place and do nothing interesting at all. My opinion on it is - if the band doesn't look like they care, why should I care about them? Live shows are entertainment - I want to be entertained.
So, FAN, where do you stand on stage presence? Care a lot? Care a little? Don't care at all?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 23, 2013 16:24:18 GMT -5
Yes, it matters a lot. Otherwise you just have a bunch of wankers on stage standing in one spot and looking at their instruments as they play. If the performer appears to be having a good time the crowd will be having a good time.
|
|
chazraps
Wade Wilson
Better have my money when I come-a collect!
Posts: 27,986
|
Post by chazraps on May 23, 2013 17:04:35 GMT -5
Usually a good musician has to have a level of stage presence in order to successfully play in front of an audience. I'm not sure what we're defining as stage presence here.
|
|
Vampiro138
Hank Scorpio
the greatest vampire in the HISTORY of our sport
Posts: 5,755
Member is Online
|
Post by Vampiro138 on May 23, 2013 17:14:55 GMT -5
Liam Gallagher does nothing but stand in one place with his hands behind his back and people love it so i guess theres sort of a presence to him. theres a huge different between him and say Paul Stanley who is a mad man possessed out there. different strokes i guess, Lemmy really doesnt have stage presence either, just mainly stands there looking up as he sings.
|
|
|
Post by Clash, Never a Meter Maid on May 23, 2013 17:48:05 GMT -5
It's not essential if a musician considers themselves to be pretty much a studio act- I love Steely Dan, and I think Becker and Fagen trying to bust a move like Usher on stage would be hilarious for all the wrong reasons.
But it generally never hurts, regardless of the genre. I think Henry Rollins cited James Brown as a good influence if you're trying to establish yourself as a performer, and even techno acts like Deadmau5 and Daft Punk try to put on a good live show despite being behind equipment. So it matters, but I don't demand it from everyone.
|
|
Blindkarevik
Grimlock
Rock... Paper... Straight-edge!
I Like To <blank>
Posts: 14,343
|
Post by Blindkarevik on May 23, 2013 17:56:01 GMT -5
I think there's a difference between stage presence and aura.
Watching some bands run all around the stage is awesome, they hype it up and it gets the crowd into it.
But I remember seeing Cannibal Corpse... they didn't move one inch the entire show, but they didn't have to. Just the aura they had about them made their appearance enough.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 23, 2013 18:39:12 GMT -5
Usually a good musician has to have a level of stage presence in order to successfully play in front of an audience. I'm not sure what we're defining as stage presence here. To me it's pretty much charisma, a lot of people can get on stage and play but then there are those where no matter what they do it just seems interesting for whatever reason.
|
|
Banecat
Don Corleone
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
Posts: 1,455
|
Post by Banecat on May 23, 2013 20:40:29 GMT -5
Care a lot. Seeing Megadeth live where the band stood there like robots changed my opinion of the band immediately.
|
|
Burst
El Dandy
*inarticulate squawking*
Posts: 8,598
|
Post by Burst on May 23, 2013 21:38:59 GMT -5
It's definitely one thing I have to give Jericho credit for with Fozzy. Say what you will about the music itself (speaking as a relative fan of it) but you can tell that for the most part, his stage presence from wrestling easily carries over to performing, at least in terms of getting the crowd going.
|
|
|
Post by Fearless The Tank on May 24, 2013 1:55:32 GMT -5
Stage presence is the difference between a good show and a memorable show. I just saw Ghost live a few weeks ago, and I will never forget that show because of what Ghost brings to their live shows. I'm happy that I have yet to see a bad show, the worst I've seen is Neon Trees (only because they opened for The Offspring) and even they had a somewhat good stage presence.
|
|
BigBadZ
Grimlock
The Rumors Are All True
Posts: 13,923
|
Post by BigBadZ on May 24, 2013 2:00:44 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 24, 2013 10:30:51 GMT -5
Being a former theater student, it's went from unnoticeable to impossible for me to ignore.
It just irritates me more though when they do try to move around and have a presence, and it's the same damn thing, like it's a routine. You can only see Jagger prance around or The Hives jerk around so much before it becomes both obnoxious and dull.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 24, 2013 11:17:58 GMT -5
Stage presence and the music are equally important. One is useless without the other.
If you're going to see a musician with no stage presence - and I don't even mean only working the crowd, but the ability to create an enjoyable presentation - you'd might as well stay home and listen to an album.
|
|
Phosphor Glow
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Is a real girl!
Posts: 19,872
|
Post by Phosphor Glow on May 24, 2013 11:50:53 GMT -5
Yes, no doubt about it. There are a million different kinds of stage presence, but at the end of the day, if you're just standing there doing absolutely nothing while playing your music, there are very few bands who can pull that off.
For example, I saw Deftones a few years back, and while I love their music, I will probably never see them live again, simply because they did absolutely NOTHING during their show. Not to mention, the mix was really bad. Just a lot of low end, couldn't hear the actual music at all.
The same stage presence issues apply to Chimaira, but I also went in not expecting to like the show, because I think they're f***ing awful.
|
|
Albino Heat
Don Corleone
You're a nasty bastard, and your momma said so!!
Posts: 2,095
|
Post by Albino Heat on May 24, 2013 20:22:34 GMT -5
My first big concert was Goo Goo Dolls/ Bon Jovi. Goo Goo (besides Reznick) did nothing. Crowd was pretty apathetic. Within the first 2 minutes, Bon Jovi had every person on their feet and engaged. Stage presence is what separates good bands from great bands.
|
|
|
Post by Ishmeal Loves Kaseyhausen on May 24, 2013 20:27:50 GMT -5
Stage presence is a big key. For example, I saw a band called Gemini Syndrome opening for Nonpoint and Device last week. No one knew who Gemini Syndrome was, but by the end of their set, they had the crowd going crazy, even the apathetic late 20-somethings like my buddy and myself.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 24, 2013 22:13:32 GMT -5
I personally don't care too much about stage presence, I say this as a musician. If I like what I'm hearing I'm usually satisfied.
|
|
Urethra Franklin
King Koopa
When Toronto sports teams lose, Alison Brie is sad
Posts: 11,090
|
Post by Urethra Franklin on May 24, 2013 22:28:01 GMT -5
It really depends.
If I'm at a stadium show, I expect a higher level of engagement, but if I'm in a tiny bar or club, I think the intimacy of the venue trumps all else.
|
|
Knailsic From Now On
Dennis Stamp
Loneliest Number Since #1
Waiting with my red eyes and my stone heart
Posts: 4,365
|
Post by Knailsic From Now On on May 24, 2013 22:57:20 GMT -5
I think every great band should have a great frontman to get the crowd hyped up.
|
|
Allie Kitsune
Crow T. Robot
Always Feelin' Foxy.
Celestial Princess in Exile.
Posts: 46,149
|
Post by Allie Kitsune on May 25, 2013 1:11:00 GMT -5
Musically, I don't know, but all the same, it's something I'm kind of curious about learning about...
|
|