<< The problem is that you go to see a live event as much for the performance
aspect as for the music. You can project as many interesting visuals as you
want - nothing can really compensate for the organic quality of seeing art
created, or in the least, manipulated on the fly.>>
This sparks an interesting discussion.
Many of us right now are wrestling with the distinction between a dj
performance and a live perfromance. I think a dj night becomes a performance
when the dj is clearly situated on a stage as a visual attraction, as opposed
to lurking behind the scenes, tucked away in a corner.
Many people will drop good coin to hear one of the name-brand trance djs, yet
in many cases said dj is barely present from a visual standpoint. At a club
event, the audience dances with each other, not all facing in one direction
looking at the "live" performance that is happening. Note that the club
event quite possibly has a *higher* admission price than the equivalent dj
event.
If the dj is a wondrous platter manipulator along the lines of Kid Koala,
then the preference really would be to watch the dj as performer. That in
itself is entertainment. The same goes for the intense trickery of dj crews
such as the X-ecutioners. These guys are definitely more fun to watch than
some wanky guitar player in a rock band.
So, if the dj is essentially just beat-matching cool records, do we need him
up on the stage with everyone watching? Perhaps not, unless you spice things
up with visuals, freaky dancers, exploding robots and soforth.
On the other hand, we took in the Mr. Scruff show at the Bowery Ballroom in
NYC the other night. Scruff was up on the stage all right, spinning records.
Even though he was not doing any over-the-top dj tricks, his visual presence
did add something; it was cool to see him bop his head around, rifle through
the wax, snatch something out and whip it onto the decks.
Some of the audience stood and watched the dj, while others treated it more
like a club event. After watching a dj for more than an hour or so, the
prospect emerges of doing something other than stare at the bloke on stage.
- fred
http://www.nofuncharlie.com/kumquat
p.s. - if anyone out there still would like a free kumquat cd, see website
above for details
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