This time last week I was in Fort Canning Park for Big Night Out.
Now, I’m a huge Band of Horses fan, so of course, I was elated that the fellas opened with my favourite BoH tune (For Annabelle), played only two songs from the disappointing new record (time and Glyn Johns have not swayed my opinion), ended with The Funeral and, midway through the set, served up a cover of my second favorite Neil Young song (Powderfinger will always be No. 2 to Deep Forbidden Lake in my book).
Now, I'm a huge Band of Horses fan so to me, the gig last Wednesday was awesome. And really, it could have come quite close to being classed as "perfect", If only those fucking smartphones had not ruined its best moments.
Yes, I own a smartphone. Yes, I tweet. Yes, I Facebook. Yes, I I feel lost without my phone Yes, I use it way more than I should. However, I do not and have never held it aloft at a gig to film the onstage action and you know why? No, you probably don't. So let me tell you.
1. I do not film concerts or parts of concerts on my phone out of respect for my fellow punters. I do not film because I realised a long time ago that when I hold up a phone to capture video and my screen is active and the venue is dark and the stage lights are flickering, someone behind me is gonna get mighty pissed and/or blinded.
2. I do not film concerts or parts of concerts on my phone because it’s lame and in the same league as taking pictures of food before eating. People who film videos of concerts they attend invariably post it on Facebook as a means of saying to people they don't particularly like: “Look how lucky/cool I am, you losers!” I don’t do passive-aggressive. If I think you're a loser, you sure as hell aren't going to be my Facebook friend.
3. I do not film concerts or parts of concerts on my phone because even on a good day, in perfect lighting conditions, I can fuck up shots and videos. Additionally, I don’t film because even though my phone manufacturer claims I can shoot HD video, I know the footage is going to be grainy and sound like shit. Kinda like those Tangkap Basah 3gp videos.
And finally, and most importantly ...
4. I do not film concerts or parts of concerts on my phone because I usually pay good money to see my favourite artists in the flesh. That being the case, why the fuck would I want to buy bus tickets, go down to Singapore, pay for a hotel room, get to Fort Canning early, buy and consume overpriced beer to get in the mood only to then watch Ben Bridwell through my phone?
I'm a lot of things but I'm not a moron.
YES! The common denominator here is Singapore. My Death Cab for Cutie experience would have been perfect if not for the ridiculous array of tablets, cameras, SLRs popping up IN FRONT OF MY FACE.
ReplyDeleteIt got to the point where I had to tell them off (not a pleasant experience for anyone) and even then some continued to do it anyway.
This has got to stop. It would be too totalitarian to just ban these devices from concerts altogether...
Would it be too totalitarian? Haha.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think I'm too old school and don't understand how music is consumed/listened to now. And then I realise, no, I'm correct. This is bullshit!
woah cool , i was there as well. Though I doubt many yong uns in the crowd didnt know that POwderfinger cover :P.
ReplyDeleteOther observations: moshpit during YYY, initiated by malaysians :P.
Overheard and made me wanna slap some, during YYYs set : "wahh so hot ahhhh"
Overhead during Vampire Weekend set: "Preppy whiteboys channeling Paul Simon." " How come all their songs sound the same one? "
That said, I was dissapointed with the sound, esp during YYY. it was not LOud enough.
cheers!
Andri
Yeah, the sound wasn't great. I agree. Sound was probably best for VW.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I do agree that Ezra, Rostam and the boys channel Paul Simon, to me that's a good thing. We could do with more people using PS as their benchmark.