Thu, 2011-06-02 17:17 | by Carles
Photo via Brooklyn Vegan
Going to see live music isn't really that interesting to me. I'm way past my alternative youth, back when I thought the live music experience was meaningful. But I am really interested in watching buzzworthy interactions, deals, and knowledge-sharing activities going down. When you are posted up in the VIP area of a relevant concert or festival, you can't help but notice buzzbands watching, scoping out, and analyzing other buzzbands. It is a natural stage before an act of 'bronoodling' can go down.
I saw this picture of George Lewis Jr. and the other members of Twin Shadow watching another buzzband. They look very focused, trying to retain as much knowledge and info as possible. The truth is, a buzzband is a lot like a human. A buzzband has hopes. A buzzband has dreams. A buzzband has desires. A buzzband has insecurities. Every buzzband wants to be the best buzzband that they can be, but tons of other buzzbands are standing in the way. Buzzbands want to be friends with other buzzbands. Buzzbands get in fights with other buzzbands. Buzzbands make up. Buzzbands eat, poop, live and die. Buzzbands experience high highs and low lows.
The act of a buzzband watching another buzzband encapsulates this entire range of emotions within the singular/universal buzzband existence.
Why do buzzbands watch other buzzbands?
a) To pay their dues - A lesser known buzzband watches an established buzzband to 'pay their dues.' It is sort of like doing homework, and paves the way for a c-level buzzband to introduce themselves to an a-list buzzband. Then they can tweet about how 'at the end of the day, the Arcade Fire deserved to headline Coachelly for the 10th year in a row.'
Example: Some bro in a chillwave lofi project watching the Arcade Fire then going up to Win Butler and expecting him 2 know who he is because his mp3 was on Pitchfork one time. After the show, he goes up to Win and says 'great show.' Win Butler finds out who he was 2 years later.
b) To 'size up' their competition- Buzzbands are insecure. Buzzbands do want to be 'the best they can be'. Scouting other buzzbands is a great way to know how hard ur buzzband has to work to trick people into thinking your buzzband is amazing. Also a good way to analyze the gap between a buzzband's live performance and studio recordings.
Example: Going to see an LCD Soundsystem concert, and saying, "Ya. His voice isn't that great and the synths are pretty meh."
c) To 'intimidate' a weaker buzzband- This psychological move is usually done by 'pretentious' and/or outspoken A-list buzzband. They want to go to a sidestage at a music festival, and let an up and coming buzzband know "ur not welcome in our club." Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Example: Dave Longstreth of the Dirty Projectors hears about a DIY buzzband that has one mp3 and is playing their first show at a relevant Brooklyn art space. He goes to the show knowing who the buzzband is, gets hammered, ruins the show by chatting and laughing, then snubs the lofi frontman when he tries to make small talk.
d) A buzzband watching a mainstream famous buzzband - Buzzbands are just like you and me. Sometimes we are fascinated by mainstream acts and want to know if they 'live up to the 10.0 mainstream album sales hype.'
Example: Best Coast watching Kanye West and livetweeting about it saying something like 'Ye is The Truth!'
e) Doing some 'research' on 'gear'/'equipment' - Buzzbands are under constant pressure to stay relevant, and that sometimes includes the implementation of cutting edge instruments and meaningful on-stage visual displaying technology. Buzzbands are always 'looking to take the next step', building a more relevant, yet universal sound, and have a 'sweet live show.'
Example: A buzzband going to see Animal Collective and being like 'ya i can do that. pretty lame/easy. Gotta hit Guitar Center and buy a copy of Adobe After Effects.'
f) Buzzbands are friends with other buzzbands - Some buzzbands knew other buzzbands before they were buzzhumans, like they went to college together, so they just vibe out in VIP and pretend to watch eachother even though they are probably a little bit resentful, and all like "I never thought they would make it this far because their college demos sucked."
Example: Deakin goes to an Avey Tare show.
**IMPORTANT**
Buzzbands do not watch other buzzbands because they 'like music.' People in buzzbands can no longer appreciate music. All they can do is analyze their competition. It's all a very intense war, and if you don't seize your moment and strategize to 'win' indie, you might become irrelevant.
****
I've been around a lot of high-level buzzbands who have logged thousands of miles on tour, meeting tons of buzzbands and festivals, and buzzbands can be complex. Sort of like human nature. But like human nature, buzzband nature can be simple.
Like the buzzband Cults once said, "Go... outside." Buzzbands must venture out of their comfort zone in order to network, build alliances, and strategize to take down their competition.
Why do buzzbands watch other buzzbands?
Do u wish u were in a relevant buzzband or does it seem like too much social stress and pressure?
Is buzzband life just a big competition?
Is life 'just a game'?
Do u have what it takes to become an A-level or B-level buzzband?
Who are the meanest/nicest buzzbands in the game 2day?
Have u ever seen a buzzband intently watching another buzzband's show?
Twin Shadow
BuzzbandTwin Shadow is the 2k10 buzzband buzz project of George Lewis Jr. His hit album FORGET is 'highly bloggable.'
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