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Hey guys, I've been reading about music for sometime on the internet, but am confused about something I've seen discussed extensively more so here than anywhere else.
In a number of discussions of potential or rumored or even confirmed lineups, members here often analyze whether or not a certain act is "relevant" and to what degree their "relevance" supports them being selected as an act for the festival. I find myself a bit jealous of anyone who gets excited about something I don't - so can someone here give me advice as to determining relevance and more importantly, how to enjoy an act more because the act is more "relevant"?
I've been to many-a-Bonnaroos and I think that this year's lineup is anything but "relevant", and I couldn't be happier. The idea behind Bonnaroo, and even what it has amassed to, emphasizes the actual music beyond just about any other festival of comparable budget. Many festivals seem to prefer a "relevant" approach but the festival community has seen time and time again that relevance does not necessarily equal ticket sales.
As someone who has worked to put on some relatively large music festivals, I can comfortably say that "relevance" was not ever considered - tour sales, fanbase, cost, diversity, sustainability - were our primary driving forces. The idea of a fan attending because the music was relevant to him/her was never a consideration. So to hear fans complain about bands or lineups that are "irrelevant" to them is just bewildering - Even the term, "relevant", screams such undefined subjectivity that *any* lineup can be called "irrelevant".
Anyways, to say the least, I am confused as to exactly how "relevance" can somehow change someone's outlook or expectations for a music festival. Don't get me wrong, it would've been no doubt exciting to have seen such historically "relevant" shows as Dylan at Newport or the Dead at Winterland, but the music itself is still the same, objectively judge-able substance, subjectively relevant or not, no?
Not trying to ruffle any feathers, just wanting some honest feedback from those who consider "relevance" in their festival planning.
Post by nodepression on Apr 26, 2011 16:10:13 GMT -5
What festivals did you work for?
The way I determine relevance isn't really something I've written out before but I'll try. For me it's an act that's pushing itself creatively, has just put out a great album, has influenced other acts currently making good albums, or, more personally, someone I've been listening to a lot at that moment.
Post by plasticpepper on Apr 26, 2011 16:11:50 GMT -5
And now for a serious answer...or, well, more serious.
I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say relevance, although possibly that's just because you're not quite sure what OTHER people mean by it and that's why you're asking.
But I would have said that when it comes to an act playing a festival, relevance would either mean whether the act is currently popular or peaked at some point earlier, or possibly it would mean how well the act fits in with the overall style of the fest. In either case (especially the former), relevance would just be one of the many things that contributes to an act's fanbase. Which is something you said you do/did take into consideration.
It seems like you're thinking personal relevance - as in, "this act is (or isn't) relevant to me" - which isn't a phrasing I'm as used to seeing. But even if that is something people are talking about, then isn't that just personal preference? Of course people are going to take their own likes and dislikes into account when they're evaluating a lineup, or deciding what shows to see, or whatever.
I guess I'm having a hard time understanding what it is that you think relevance is that could possibly NOT be a factor in evaluating a lineup or anything like that.
1-1-12 Bassnectar NYE SHOW! 1-21-12 G. Love and Special Sauce 3-1-12 Radiohead 3-9-12 Experience Hendrix 5-15-12 Jack White @ The Ryman 6-7-12 Bonnaroo 6-19-12 Roger Waters presents "THE WALL" 7-7-12 Ringo Starr's 72nd Birthday Party Extravaganza at the Ryman
Post by slightlyaltered on Apr 26, 2011 16:42:01 GMT -5
I think what people mean on here when they say that an act is relevant or irrelevant to them they're saying "This band is a big deal to me. One of my favorites. No way i'm going to miss this." or "I don't care about this band. They're alright, not too excited about it. I'll catch the show if there's nothing else going on."
Or, generally a band is relevant if it's a big act. A name that a lot of people know of and a show that will have a bunch of people at it. Headliners, basically.
If there aren't too many big names/popular acts attending the show, then many people will expect the fest to not be as great or memorable, or if there aren't many bands/artists going that are personally relevant to someone, they'll expect the fest to be alright, but not the best.
Post by Whoreshack on Apr 26, 2011 19:25:33 GMT -5
I've never heard anyone call a line-up "irrelevant." I've heard "sucks." Is this part of your homework for some semantics class? 'Cause the thread is completely... well, you know.
Juggs, I think your above post defined relevance very well. In contrast to how Juggs put it, I really don't like Lil' Wayne, but I feel like he is a relevant act. I like Widespread Panic, but don't think they are very relevant. It all has to do with current popularity and influence on music today.
I tend to throw relevance around on here, usually when addressing someone's hamfisted "analysis" of the lineup. For me, I tend to find bands like the Allman Brothers, Furthur, Dr. John, etc., "irrelevant." Now, that doesn't mean I don't like them. In fact, I like all three of those acts to some degree, some more than others. What it does mean is that I can't understand why someone would prefer having, say, the Allman Brothers play a set full of songs that everyone has heard 1000 times as opposed to having a band like Arcade Fire in their prime.
It has nothing to do with how good a band is, or anything. It has more to do with the idea that some people on this board would be perfectly happy if Bonnaroo booked nothing but jambands and classic rock rehashes year after year over newer, more vital bands that are still creating new music and still pushing their own creative boundaries. To me, a band that unarguably hit its peak 25-30 years ago is not "relevant." They may still be good, and fun to see, but that's not the point. And I just don't understand why people are so obstinate as to aggressively reject what may be a future hall-of-fame type band playing in their prime in favor of watching a nostalgia act reliving past glories. I'll take Arcade Fire playing "Wake Up" on their first real headlining festival circuit over Furthur playing a watered-down "Mountain Dew" for the 500th time every day of the week.
This could easily evolve into a longer post about how people perceive music, in particular how many fans refuse to acknowledge greatness being performed in front of them in lieu of believing that everything that came before is better, but I doubt everyone wants to read that. I'll save that for my blog.
Well said. There are plenty of bands that are really just their own cover bands and we all love their music but if you want to watch bands from years back you can catch them at the state fair. Relevant bands are what's driving music today
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There's also blogspot and tumblr. tumblr can be used for text but like noD said...usually it's just images.
Post by Chris Major on Apr 28, 2011 0:46:35 GMT -5
It's irrelevant to this thread, but I wonder if KISS is relevant enough to play Bonnaroo. I'm listening to them right now for the first time in years and I've gotta say that would make for an awesome Friday night show.
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