Telefon Tel Aviv rants about recording his shows on Facebook

  On 10/7/2013 at 11:18 PM, John Ehrlichman said:

I'd be bitter about people filming shows with cellphones too if my flash in the pan status as a 3rd tier IDM superstar is now over, and I won't be playing the Guggenheim again any time soon

lol

  On 10/8/2013 at 12:16 AM, Redruth said:

is joshua eustis still solo now after charles cooper's horrible death, or did someone join with him?

he decided to continue the project on his own.

People standing around in circles with their phones flopped out is about the saddest thing I've ever witnessed..

While reading these posts it's a good challenge for the imagination to visualize all your frothing, frowning faces raging against what the world has become. Given a choice, I'd prefer to watch some DIY videos of it though than see it up close.

Two things, once upon a time it was hard if you couldn't get to shows of obscure musicians to get hold of any photos or audio from the show, let alone a video. So it was a valuable thing having the one or two people taking their HDrecorder along for the rest of us, as a sort of recorder designate. Secondly early in the 00's, some bands started getting pissy at people taking cameras along to shows, just to get a photo of the band. Placebo famously whined about this, stopping a show once over it. So i could see what is happening now as an extension of those two early desires. One community based and another a moral stand against arrogance and stupidity.

But it has gotten way out of hand, and the motivation now is likely no longer about serving some sort of demand for a scarce commodity, but more a group think habit. People are obsessive about something that really doesn't matter at all and it is ruining the experience of going out to a show. Like i went to MBV earlier this year and it was a super expression of this problem. No one was dancing, and the floor from the stage to the engineers booth was shoulder to shoulder people just standing there, holding up their fucking phones, or not moving because they were probably not wanting to ruin their recording (it was so loud though, i'm sure all that they captured was clipped overdriving roars and fuzz). I couldn't even see the band as normally in the ebb and flow of a dancing mass you can push through the people to a reasonable position.

anyway over this post, you know what i mean, it's bullshit, serves no purpose, and yeah, you should be able to get a soundboard recording free with your ticket perhaps delivered via wifi supplied by the venue, with video maybe a dollar or something, few audience shots in a split feed for mate spotting. This would crush this pointless bS.

edit: i'm not against, whipping a camera or phone out for the odd photo though, it's the overkill that yaknow.

  On 10/8/2013 at 7:32 AM, Zelmo Swift said:

 

As for people not dancing to Grimes' live performance: I probably wouldn't have been doing much more than bobbing my head and shifting my weight from side to side. Her beats aren't...uh....funky enough for me. Also, have her vocal chops gotten any better?

 

Her voice is out there but I've always thought it was good, live she has perfect pitch. One of her keyboards wouldn't work so basically it was a sampler and effects unit and if anything it was more dance oriented than her recorded material. It sounded more like a early 90s rave performance. She finished one song with a very bro-step sounding riff for like 4 bars and that's the only time most people danced. (I find that who "drop" thing fascinating - the same kids who won't dance to 4/4 beats or grooved basslines will go nuts as soon as a 808 beat and skrill synth preset are used).

But yeah, I went to Toro Y Moi and there were still a few people there who were under 20 and wouldn't fucking dance, even though they looked like they were dressed for a beach party or rave. I suppose they were waiting for Phoenix. Most people danced around for Paper Diamond and Kaskade when I walked by. I suppose dance music has to be spelled out and obvious to some of these kids.

i know what josh is saying, i largely agree, and i love josh eustis, but i also love interesting debates, and i think the other side has something to say for itself. maybe some of these dudes with their phones in the air can enjoy the show to the fullest AND record it. why not? but why record it, you ask? why do people collect their ticket stubs? it brings back good memories. the videos significantly more so than ticket stubs. ALSO, i will sometimes record short bits of shows so i can show friends later, and that serves to spread the word about good music and good shows.

what really bothers me is flash photography. *&^%$#@@#$%^&^%. these bastards. temporarily blinding musicians when they need to see at the kilosecond level. i often seriously consider smashing their cameras, i just dont want to get hit with lawsuits totallying thousands of dollars along with being arrested.

lastly, i love joyrex's idea.

  On 10/8/2013 at 9:12 AM, Gocab said:

The thing that's changed the most is people being knowledgeable, that was a real feat back in the day, now we just pick up our smart phones, google it and forget about it. oh hey this is totally off topic, and I'm not sure how or why it is a bad thing, but I think it is, in some ways.

 

I guess it's the thoughtless regurgitation of facts without having any deeper knowing of the topic at hand, and therefore the lack of knowledge to question it's validity. This goes for most journalism these days as well. hrmmph.

There was an entire book on this. Personally, I've tried to scale back because I feel my memory recollection of more trivial facts seems a bit shot. The internet has likely made me less apt at reading and concentrating, whereas as a kid I could pre-occupy myself with books and magazines without issue.

I feel like, for instance, the baffling anti-fandom I would witness among teens at a music festival I went to this weekend, can be sourced to social media. People rather tell everyone they went to a concert, take photos and video and tweet about it, than actually go and listen to music they love live. "Experiences" have become to many just another commodity. When people don't buy records and listen to them over and over again, or geek out and begin to really invest in a musician or genre, but instead only listen to music through youtube recommendations, then suddenly being an asshole at a concert makes complete sense.

I think people who are "deeper" of intellect and in their appreciation of art and culture notice that it's affecting them, and have tried to accommodate it, but with others who were never like that, it's a lot cause. For instance, when I go on a road trip, I use google maps. And I ALSO BUY A PAPER ROAD MAP. I use a pencil and paper to calculate when I'll need gas again while driving through the desert of west Texas. That's why those stories of GPS "almost killing people" piss me off - they miss the bigger picture of people not using common sense and investing all of their trust in a technology that didn't even exist a couple decades ago. It's not a generational thing either - my own parents have become dependent on it too.

Society, whether its corporations or the government, are completely embracing such superficial stupidity.

http://youtu.be/9j1N8OWxOBw

http://youtu.be/FRHg9DH6S0w

http://youtu.be/SD7sZdAaS2M

This is the worst, but it's not on youtube:

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7VTw/samsung-roof-concert-samsung-galaxy-s-iii

I'm not worried that all hope is lost - there will always be curious and rebellious kids who won't fall into such conformity - but we're in for a rough couple of decades as we sort through this massive change in social norms.

The most annoying concert-goers by far are those who take to the internet afterwards to complain about what other people were doing at the concert. I think it looks hilariously stupid when someone is filming a 30 second clip of the performance with a huge tablet, but it doesn't annoy me. Same goes for people talking, singing along, clapping, dancing, not dancing, etc., let 'em do their thing, everyone with a ticket has the same right to be there.

When people don't dance, I get so MAD! I paid the same price to be there as they did, so they better enjoy things just as much as I do!

  On 10/8/2013 at 4:16 PM, manmower said:

The most annoying concert-goers by far are those who take to the internet afterwards to complain about what other people were doing at the concert. I think it looks hilariously stupid when someone is filming a 30 second clip of the performance with a huge tablet, but it doesn't annoy me. Same goes for people talking, singing along, clapping, dancing, not dancing, etc., let 'em do their thing, everyone with a ticket has the same right to be there.

It was pretty funny when I turned around during a set last weekend and this group of 4 girls were all looking down at their phones.

It begs the question, though, why the fuck are they even there, and beyond that, why do they need to be in the front row when they don't seem to care what's going on onstage?

I think it's understandable that people who are truly psyched to see the show and want to be up front get annoyed by these types.

And since this is a discussion forum, I don't see the problem with people voicing their opinions about their concert going experiences.

  On 10/8/2013 at 4:25 PM, Zelmo Swift said:

It begs the question, though, why the fuck are they even there, and beyond that, why do they need to be in the front row when they don't seem to care what's going on onstage?

I think it's understandable that people who are truly psyched to see the show and want to be up front get annoyed by these types.

Could be for many reasons (including, for that matter, being 'truly psyched' for the next artist if there is one), I am sure that there are always better reasons for them being there than just to inconvenience you. But really the obvious truth here is that it's none of your business why they're there. That can't be hard to realize, even in the moment, but especially afterwards. If it's "understandable" that people get annoyed, then that's because it's a dumb reaction and thus (by definition) pretty simple to understand. If you want a private show where everything goes according to your wishes it's going to cost a lot more than your ticket.

lol @ the non dancers come back. I don't mind if people don't dance, they've never been that mobile at shows anyway. You just had to be at the MBV to know what i mean, i was like being stuck in a crypt piled high with zombies. Was very odd experience unlike any show that i've ever been too., And it seems to be a trend that that was the culmination of.

  On 10/8/2013 at 5:34 PM, manmower said:

 

  On 10/8/2013 at 4:25 PM, Zelmo Swift said:

It begs the question, though, why the fuck are they even there, and beyond that, why do they need to be in the front row when they don't seem to care what's going on onstage?

I think it's understandable that people who are truly psyched to see the show and want to be up front get annoyed by these types.

Could be for many reasons (including, for that matter, being 'truly psyched' for the next artist if there is one), I am sure that there are always better reasons for them being there than just to inconvenience you. But really the obvious truth here is that it's none of your business why they're there. That can't be hard to realize, even in the moment, but especially afterwards. If it's "understandable" that people get annoyed, then that's because it's a dumb reaction and thus (by definition) pretty simple to understand. If you want a private show where everything goes according to your wishes it's going to cost a lot more than your ticket.

So if I pay for a movie ticket, it should be fine for me to be looking at my smart phone the whole time or talking to the person next to me no matter how at affects the people around me and their ability to enjoy themselves because "I paid for a ticket just like you and I deserve to be here just as much as you do."

Sure, no one should have to be considerate of others in any situation where you pay for your right to be there.

If you can't deal with my annoying fucking presence, that's your problem.

And if you find my presence distracting, you are "dumb."

Yep, makes perfect sense.

I went to see that film Gravity yesterday. There are a lot of quiet sections in it because it's out in space & they're doing delicate repairs & no-one can hear you scream right? Well you know what you can hear? That one fucking guy sitting over to the left munching away on his fucking popcorn, MUNCHMUNCHMUNCHPOPCORNSGREAT ISN'T IT! THE DRIER THE BETTER ILIKEIT BEST MUNCMUNCHMUNCH WHEN ITFEELSLIKEYOU'REEATING PINECONES MUNCHMUNCHMUNCHFUCKIGMUNCH!!

i completely agree with him

  On 10/8/2013 at 5:34 PM, manmower said:

 

  On 10/8/2013 at 4:25 PM, Zelmo Swift said:

It begs the question, though, why the fuck are they even there, and beyond that, why do they need to be in the front row when they don't seem to care what's going on onstage?

I think it's understandable that people who are truly psyched to see the show and want to be up front get annoyed by these types.

Could be for many reasons (including, for that matter, being 'truly psyched' for the next artist if there is one), I am sure that there are always better reasons for them being there than just to inconvenience you. But really the obvious truth here is that it's none of your business why they're there. That can't be hard to realize, even in the moment, but especially afterwards. If it's "understandable" that people get annoyed, then that's because it's a dumb reaction and thus (by definition) pretty simple to understand. If you want a private show where everything goes according to your wishes it's going to cost a lot more than your ticket.

 

this is completely ridiculous btw. it's like saying i should put up with someone heckling a comedian at a stand up show or people texting during a movie, or any other number of things. you're in a communal space, everyone paid, there's an understanding of what's appropriate. this culture is so entitled, it's pretty astounding.

I was just on holiday and was shocked by the number of parents that didn't control their small children as i was walking around. Like this couple that let their baby just wander onto the busy path in front of where i was walking, they just stand there next to their range rover sport watching it all happen and not giving a fuck.

It is odd, perhaps people are becoming more noticeably selfish.

If people didn't record stuff, we wouldn't have nice things like this to enjoy:

Okay, so of course back in 1991 not everyone in the room had a device in their pocket ready to record footage of a concert, let alone a convenient way to immediately re-broadcast it to the world. I've recorded a few bits and pieces of shows in my time, I'm not ashamed to admit it. As contrived as it may sound, I do want to capture a moment to enjoy again, because lord knows I can't rely on my flaky memory. I'm also mindful to TURN THE BRIGHTNESS DOWN on my device's screen to barely visible, which apparently no other individual at a show I've attended has been capable of fathoming.

If I am recording the odd track or two these days, I'm stood right near the back of any given show, mostly because I realise that the majority of people stood around me aren't greater than 6 feet tall (like myself). That bothers me more than someone flipping their phone out for a browse (although not quite as much as endless talking) - folks who have absolutely no regard for anyone but themselves. That entitled attitude of 'Well I paid for my ticket, I can stand wherever I want mate' is terrible. If there's one thing this generation of phone-obsessed kids has lost, it's a complete lack of spatial awareness.

The trouble with artists trying to police any sort of recording/cameras etc. is that they come off sounding like your parents telling you that you can't watch the TV while eating your dinner. Most people go to a show for escapism, to rebel, to act differently to their 9-5 routine, and damnation to anyone who tries to kill their buzz, even the very artist they paid to see. I'm not suggesting that artists are wrong to not want several camera phones pointing at them for an hour, but there is no way of policing it now without appearing heavy-handed. Camera phones are beyond ubiquitous. Telling everyone to turn their phones off is like asking them to take their shoes off before they can come in to watch the show.

  On 10/9/2013 at 3:14 AM, Zelmo Swift said:

So if I pay for a movie ticket, it should be fine for me to be looking at my smart phone the whole time or talking to the person next to me no matter how at affects the people around me and their ability to enjoy themselves because "I paid for a ticket just like you and I deserve to be here just as much as you do."

Sure, no one should have to be considerate of others in any situation where you pay for your right to be there.

If you can't deal with my annoying fucking presence, that's your problem.

And if you find my presence distracting, you are "dumb."

Yep, makes perfect sense.

Crappy analogy, they ask you to shut up and turn off your cell phone before a movie (at least they do here), completely different story.

  On 10/9/2013 at 4:55 AM, zaphod said:

this is completely ridiculous btw. it's like saying i should put up with someone heckling a comedian at a stand up show or people texting during a movie, or any other number of things. you're in a communal space, everyone paid, there's an understanding of what's appropriate. this culture is so entitled, it's pretty astounding.

You realize there are rules and there is security to deal with these things right? The only thing that's entitled here is you thinking you're the judge of what's appropriate or not. Entitled culture indeed when people type up angry rants after concerts because the person standing next to them farted. They should sue the entitled farting motherfucker that ruined their precious evening really.