MUSIC

How Do You Feel About Bands That Use Backing Tracks Live?

Are they conning the fans out of their ticket money?

This is a catchy song and a fun video:

But doesn’t something seem wrong here?

More than half of what we’re hearing isn’t coming from those four musicians on stage. There are dense layers of keyboards, electronic sequences, and backing vocals. I’m even wondering whether the only thing performed live is Chris’s lead vocals.

At what point is a live performance no longer a genuine live performance?

Now, I know that certain electronic sequences are hard to play live. Those probably do need to be backing tracks. But the rest of it? Hire some additional live musicians!

Like Placebo do, for example:

At the time of that performance, there were only three official members in the band. But did they go on stage as just a three-piece and play on top of backing tracks? No. They took three other musicians on stage with them and performed as a six-piece.

Okay, so there’s a little pre-programmed beat partway through. Plus maybe a bit of pre-recorded extra vocals on one little bit. But they seem to be performing most of it live.

Would you feel cheated of your ticket price if more than half the music was backing tracks?

I mean, it’s not as if Coldplay aren’t capable of doing a totally live performance:

If anything, I prefer that version. It may have a stripped-back sound, but it’s more real. Seeing a bunch of talented musicians do a fully live performance gives it a feeling that’s lacking in the fake live version.

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