In big music festivals music is priority No. 2
By Brian Offenther |
April 19, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MUSIC festivals are like hot sauce on ice cream: two fine elements, just not necessarily together.
The latter first: festivals are a sign of warm weather and happy faces. There's nothing wrong with that. Some people of the dour sort think any sort of enthusiasm of this kind is superficial.
But I like happiness, what can I say? I also love clowns, parades and puppies.
Music is also something I'm sort of a fan of as well.
Music festivals though? Not a big fan.
The first problem is that "music" is second in priority to "festival." Music travels as vibrations through the air, but its ultimate destination is the ear. Sound quality at festivals tends to fall way behind sound at music venues - not a small problem.
You're dealing with equipment temporarily situated in a field, soon to be shipped to another venue as soon as the event is over. Fidelity is somewhat of a priority, but it almost certainly loses out in a large degree to sturdiness, movability and loudness.
Loudness brings its own set of problems.
Festivals are always plagued with sound bleeding from multiple stages, an echo generated from speakers in different areas, and a general lack of nuance when you try to generate music loud enough for thousands of people, many of them chatting and eating.
Audience is essential, of course, but large festivals require many people not tuned in to regular music events. Since these people must buy tickets, it often results in weak lineups tending to pander to name recognition and accessibility of sound rather than singular talent.
Some festivals around the world have eliminated this problem with carefully constructed and curated events. China's music community still has a way to go.
Festival bands in China are typically of three sorts: foreign bands whose embassies subsidize their travel (Hello, Norway!), big Beijing bands and a few well-known international headliners.
Midi Saturday night
Typical of the last is Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg, a punk rock group lead by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer of the Ramones. They'll headline this weekend's Midi Festival on Saturday night in Century Park.
Ramone is a legend known for consistent quality shows of his former band's classics. His music has had an immense impact on many young people, including me.
So lookout for me Saturday at Midi. I'll be there, enjoying the music, surrounded by the glad throngs.
Sounds horrible, doesn't it?
The latter first: festivals are a sign of warm weather and happy faces. There's nothing wrong with that. Some people of the dour sort think any sort of enthusiasm of this kind is superficial.
But I like happiness, what can I say? I also love clowns, parades and puppies.
Music is also something I'm sort of a fan of as well.
Music festivals though? Not a big fan.
The first problem is that "music" is second in priority to "festival." Music travels as vibrations through the air, but its ultimate destination is the ear. Sound quality at festivals tends to fall way behind sound at music venues - not a small problem.
You're dealing with equipment temporarily situated in a field, soon to be shipped to another venue as soon as the event is over. Fidelity is somewhat of a priority, but it almost certainly loses out in a large degree to sturdiness, movability and loudness.
Loudness brings its own set of problems.
Festivals are always plagued with sound bleeding from multiple stages, an echo generated from speakers in different areas, and a general lack of nuance when you try to generate music loud enough for thousands of people, many of them chatting and eating.
Audience is essential, of course, but large festivals require many people not tuned in to regular music events. Since these people must buy tickets, it often results in weak lineups tending to pander to name recognition and accessibility of sound rather than singular talent.
Some festivals around the world have eliminated this problem with carefully constructed and curated events. China's music community still has a way to go.
Festival bands in China are typically of three sorts: foreign bands whose embassies subsidize their travel (Hello, Norway!), big Beijing bands and a few well-known international headliners.
Midi Saturday night
Typical of the last is Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg, a punk rock group lead by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer of the Ramones. They'll headline this weekend's Midi Festival on Saturday night in Century Park.
Ramone is a legend known for consistent quality shows of his former band's classics. His music has had an immense impact on many young people, including me.
So lookout for me Saturday at Midi. I'll be there, enjoying the music, surrounded by the glad throngs.
Sounds horrible, doesn't it?
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