Friends and acquaintances, confidants and colleagues, and the rest of you ... whom I probably don't really like, I have one question.
It may be more of a personal-preference inquiry than a question, but I want to get as many takes as possible: If you know you're going to see a band in concert soon (i.e. one Radiohead, or whatever your band of choice might be), do you A) listen to them as much as possible in the build up to the show, maybe to create excitement or re-familiarize with the music , or B) completely ignore them in hopes that the music's relative newness showers over you at the show and you appreciate it that much more?
I ask because I'm seeing Radiohead live for the first time in about 3 weeks in New York, at All Points West Festival. I'm hoping for a near-religious experience (it's their last show in North America this year, I believe) at the most, a fucking awesome show at the least (which is probably a given unless the band dies in some horrific plane crash on the way there ... knock on wood ... or get I dysentary that weekend or something).
Anyway, no right or wrong answer, just wondering.
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John, I love you, but you're starting to ask questions like I'd ask. I'm worried about you... The wheel in my mind keeps on turning. I don't know where I'll be tomorrow.... Anyway, I'll take a stab at a cogent response here. *Disclaimer: I think Radiohead is massively over-rated :-)
ReplyDeleteFirst, my vote is for option A, but my antipathy for Radiohead may make predicting others enjoyment less effective. When we went to see Modest Mouse I had been listening to them at work for about 4 hours a day for the previous couple weeks. The effect of that at the show was being able to recognize songs and sing along more than I could have without, obviously. Basically, it led to a more interactive show. But it's not that simple obviously. We may agree that Modest Mouse is a good band and would be enjoyable or at least foot-tapable regardless of familiarity. Sans familiarity, there is the possibility of "discovering" a good song that is impossible when it has been heard EVEN ONCE. I'm banking on the experience of "discovering" a song being a universally known, positive experience. This is why I'm going with A: I don't think "relative newness" will be that great, definitely not quasi-religious.
Now, with that said, it's obviously possible to burn yourself out on any music, even favorites. But Radiohead isn't a Symphony. The desired affect is different, I think... Familiarity with one is different than familiarity with the other, or should be. I'll leave that line of thought there but suffice it to say I think you should be able to "get into" Radiohead more with familiarity given the nature of the music and the environment of the show. You can get lost and still be able to find your way back if you know the song well --probably a more valuable thing at a Radiohead show than in a concert hall. But then again I'm speaking for myself, what else can I do.....
In conclusion, I don't know what I'm talking about, but you asked :-)
I think you're massively overrated ... no, I hear you. Anything that tends to be hyped so much is bound to fall short in many minds.
ReplyDeleteI think no matter how much I might want to, maybe, rediscover a song or an album by commissioning a boycott on Radiohead until then, I can't do it. I'm listening to them right now. It's an addiction. Kid A is like crack to me. Amnesiac, my own bottle of Oxycontin.
Was Modest Mouse at the Blue Note? How was that? Did Ken keep yelling, "Missed the Boat!" like at Lollapalooza?