Toronto – I would like to say that I have been to a lot of shows in my life. Ranging from small acoustic performances at someone’s house to massive corporate festivals like Coachella, I would like to say that I’ve been to many different types of shows as well. With this vast experience, here are some things at concerts that never get old.
Lasers
Lasers and light shows never, ever get old. Even if the visual effects are spewing out political bullshit like at a Massive Attack concert, it can still be visually arresting. If the lights are syncing with the music, this can take things to another level. Case in point: I thought The Presets show as only okay until their massive wall of light hit me right square in the face, and then the shit hit the fan. Electro music + light show = epic.
Covers
As much as we love the bands’ original material, everybody loves a good cover. Nevermind the fact that the band probably plays it every night, it still feels special. My favourite cover moment was during a Divine Comedy show, when Neil Hannon started taking requests. He launched into The Smiths There’s a Light That Never Goes Out, and then stopped halfway through to confess that he didn’t know the lyrics; despite releasing the song as a b-side.
Crowd Invasions
It seems like it’s happening more and more, but there’s certainly an element of electricity in the air when a singer takes matters in his own hand and enters the crowd. There’s always a moment of panic when you realize that the singer is heading right for you. What do you do? I am still slightly embarrassed from SXSW when during the Everybody was in the French Resistance …Now! show, Eddie Argos invaded the crowd and then sang right in my face. This would have been great, except for the fact that I was checking my iPhone, and was completely unaware of the fact. So kids, when you are in an area where there’s a potential for crowd invasions, don’t check your iPhone. Also memorable was the Yacht crowd invasion leading to prayer circle that happened at the Wrongbar in March.
Extended Intros
As a concert going fan, we like it when a band doesn’t play their song note for note. I always like those extended intros that have me guessing: “wait.. Is this song x?”, and then after a minute or two of semi recognizable sounds, launches into the song. In recent memories, the Antlers have done good job of this, despite only playing 8 song sets.
Acoustic Versions
The is many bands’ “go to” move to gain intimacy, the acoustic version of any popular song is an instant crowd pleaser and also guarantees silence and the minimization of concert douchebaggery. Let’s face it, we all like to brag and say “oh man you should have heard the acoustic version of ______”. It is cultural capitalism at its best. In recent memory, acoustic versions of The Everlasting (by the Manic Street Preachers) and Yoshimi (by Flaming Lips) come to mind. I am also expecting Suede to do an acoustic version of the song Still Life in December, unless they bring an orchestra, which would be cool as well.
Surprise Guest Appearances
No, I don’t mean Broken Social Scene bringing out Emily Haines for Anthems for a 17 year old. That is not a surprise at all. However, there are always instances of surprise appearances that will blow your mind. It adds an element of surprise and electricity. It’s also very twitterable. I can’t remember any recent instances of this happening at a show I was at, but the Edge joining Muse for a cover of Where the Streets Have No Name was very cool.
Ending With A Good Song
When the Flaming Lips ended their show with a tantalizing version of Do You Realize, it left the crowd in a daze. Ditto for Manic Street Preachers when they closed with A Design For Life. It’s a proven fact that ending your show with a hit song will always have the crowd leaving in a good mood. It’s the last impression we have of a band; and we like to be left all warm and fuzzy. An example of how not to do it would be The Verve, playing Bittersweet Symphony and then ending the show with a new track. We were all on an emotional high after Bittersweet Symphony and you chose to make us listen to one last new unfamiliar song when we were ready to leave? Ugh. This rule can also be use in conjunction with other rules, for example, LCD Soundsystem ended with a cover of Jay-’s Empire State of Mind.
There you have it. A list of things at shows I will never tire of. What did I miss? What are yours?
