Long live the NIN-NIN
I've been away for a long time, as you may or may not have noticed. I was away on a Rock and Roll pilgrimage, and I bring with me three new sermons from the experience. Most of the time my preaching seems very impersonal, and even droning. What I am now about to write concerns very personal experience, although it may still come off rather dull. Never the less, it's an important message and one that I hope you'll take to heart. In the name of Clapton, Santana and Bo Diddley, here is my message.
On June 6th of this year, I went to a Nine Inch Nails concert. Always a group to defy convention, and rather scathingly denounce hypocrisy and falsehood in all its forms, I was expecting a great deal of energy, from all persons involved that evening.
Typically, opening bands are not very well received. One in particular at this event, a group named Bauhaus, received just such a lukewarm welcome. While I can fully understand the frustration of a band trying to push onto the scene and make a name for itself, it's how they face their trials ahead that makes all the difference.
And here is where I start ripping on Bauhaus.
After a few songs, which were actually rather decent and well-performed, their lead singer decided to ridicule the audience for its lack of enthusiasm. He said something to the effect of the audience being a lot of "fair-weather friends," and told them to "go get a hot dog or something" because they'd be on for another 40 minutes. At that point, whatever interest I had in their material immediately went out the window. Insulting your own fan-base is a very stupid and reckless thing to do, no matter what your profession. Indignation is hardly the best way to react to your audience.
About a year ago, at a Warped Tour performance, one of the opening bands by the name of Autopilot Off, which were performing around 9 or 10AM, were understandably not drawing a very enthusiastic crowd. But they did not act defiant or vengeful. Instead, their lead singer merely said, very politely, "I know it's early in the morning, and I know you guys are dragging, but we're all here at Warped, Tour, one of the greatest f---ing rock shows of our time! Enjoy yourselves!"
And that's completely the point. Naturally, when NIN did show at last, the energy was incredible. I was, however, disappointed to see that there was no moshing going on. I've talked about Karma before. It's important to act as you would like others to act. Give the bands as much energy as possible, for you know they went out of their way and were on the road for a long hard drive, just to bring it to you.
Tomorrow, I talk of a concert of a different kind. For now, go in peace.
On June 6th of this year, I went to a Nine Inch Nails concert. Always a group to defy convention, and rather scathingly denounce hypocrisy and falsehood in all its forms, I was expecting a great deal of energy, from all persons involved that evening.
Typically, opening bands are not very well received. One in particular at this event, a group named Bauhaus, received just such a lukewarm welcome. While I can fully understand the frustration of a band trying to push onto the scene and make a name for itself, it's how they face their trials ahead that makes all the difference.
And here is where I start ripping on Bauhaus.
After a few songs, which were actually rather decent and well-performed, their lead singer decided to ridicule the audience for its lack of enthusiasm. He said something to the effect of the audience being a lot of "fair-weather friends," and told them to "go get a hot dog or something" because they'd be on for another 40 minutes. At that point, whatever interest I had in their material immediately went out the window. Insulting your own fan-base is a very stupid and reckless thing to do, no matter what your profession. Indignation is hardly the best way to react to your audience.
About a year ago, at a Warped Tour performance, one of the opening bands by the name of Autopilot Off, which were performing around 9 or 10AM, were understandably not drawing a very enthusiastic crowd. But they did not act defiant or vengeful. Instead, their lead singer merely said, very politely, "I know it's early in the morning, and I know you guys are dragging, but we're all here at Warped, Tour, one of the greatest f---ing rock shows of our time! Enjoy yourselves!"
And that's completely the point. Naturally, when NIN did show at last, the energy was incredible. I was, however, disappointed to see that there was no moshing going on. I've talked about Karma before. It's important to act as you would like others to act. Give the bands as much energy as possible, for you know they went out of their way and were on the road for a long hard drive, just to bring it to you.
Tomorrow, I talk of a concert of a different kind. For now, go in peace.