Why Live Music Still Rocks January 18, 2009
Posted by Ria Keen in performing.Tags: live music, matt coppell, rock
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I went to see a small-scale live gig the other day, for the first time in many a moon. I went because someone I knew was playing (Matt Coppell, above), and it seemed like a good opportunity to enjoy a cracking night out with one of my rock-chick girlfriends and a bunch of varicose lunatics.
I was so glad I went. Did I like the band? No, not really. Was the venue the best I’d ever seen? No, it was bit small and had a Tom Cruise ‘Cocktail’ wannabe barman who fancied himself but was nonetheless charming.
So what was so good? Well…… the drummer, essentially. One of the best drummers I’ve seen for years. He plays like Animal from The Muppets only with more control. He left the rock-chick and me completely speechless and semi-breathless within 30 seconds of starting to thump the living daylights out of his unsuspecting Pearl kit. Good man.
This all reminded me that not all performance has to be in a big venue, or in a theatre, or whatever. What is has to be is honest, and passionate, as this was. It didn’t matter that I didn’t like the music, or that the mix was dreadful, or that everything was too loud. It only mattered that there was a great atmosphere, that the performers completely believed in what they were doing without being arrogant or pretentious, and that everyone in the room was having fun.
The gig reminded me where I’d come from, musically. And it made me want to go back there. I’ve been very fortunate in my performing career, and have trodden the boards of some of the most spectacular venues in the world – but now I just want to revisit my roots, and stand in front of a small but seriously talented bunch of session players who are playing because it’s fun, not because it’s work.
So I approached the drummer and said ‘how about it’ or words to that effect, then I called a great session guitarist and said much the same. The rest will follow. Can’t wait.
