These Playlists That Ruin the Show

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I love music, concerts, and live performances. For me, they are magical moments. Nothing beats the energy of a live performance, where the artists give their all on stage and the audience vibrates in unison. But there is one thing that often bothers me during these events: the music played before and after the show.

Why Music?

I understand that playing the artist’s own tracks on repeat before they come on stage might feel a bit odd. However, I find it far more disruptive to hear completely random playlists that have absolutely nothing to do with the event’s vibe. Imagine: I’m going to see a band like Debout sur le Zinc, and just before the concert starts, I hear Mika, Imagine Dragons, Abd al Malik, and Julien Doré, one after the other. Seriously? Where’s the coherence?

This choice of music often seems sloppy, with little consideration for the artistic universe the audience is about to dive into. These standardized playlists, probably made just to "fill time," miss the opportunity to add an immersive layer to the show.

Why Not Ambiences?

Why not consider another approach? What if, instead of disconnected tracks, we played soundscapes that matched the theme of the concert or show? Take, for example, a play like Spamalot, a medieval musical comedy: the idea of a medieval marketplace soundscape before the show would beautifully immerse the audience. Similarly, before an outdoor concert, why not transport the audience into a forest atmosphere, with the sound of leaves and birds, creating a true bridge between reality and the unique moment that’s about to unfold?

This would be an excellent way to transport the audience into the artist’s or show’s universe long before it begins. The magic of a performance doesn’t reside solely in the show itself, but in everything that surrounds it. The sound experience is an integral part of this journey, and it’s time to consider it as soon as people enter the venue.

Another Benefit

Additionally, it’s often this music that clearly signals to the audience that the performance has ended, that there will be no more bows or encores. This avoids that completely uncomfortable moment of uncertainty, where you don’t know if the artist will come back. When there’s no music or atmosphere, it becomes frustrating. You find yourself in a sort of void, almost mistreated by harsh lighting, a closed curtain, or a dark stage, with this unpleasant feeling of being "ushered out" to the exits. A well-thought-out soundscape at that moment would give a clear and warm signal, gently letting the audience know the show is over, ensuring they feel respected as they leave the venue.

Let’s Take Action!

So, sound crew friends, instead of throwing out random tracks, why not experiment with immersive soundscapes or thematic atmospheres? You could, for example, use recordings of bustling squares for a festive concert, forest or river sounds for more intimate shows, or even light industrial sounds for avant-garde performances. And why not play with subtler sounds, like crowd murmurs, distant bells, or soft acoustic instruments that blend together or gentle sounds floating in the background, creating a natural transition before the artist comes on stage? To make things easier, many of these ambiances can easily be found on BigSoundBank.com, a rich and free resource of high-quality ambiance sounds and sound effects ;)

And you, have you ever felt this disconnect between the music played and the atmosphere you were expecting? What do you think about the idea of soundscapes tailored to shows?

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13/10/2024