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Posted by Amanda

Everybody loves a spectacle. Lots of flashing lights and flames, and maybe a rotating stage just for kicks. Everything whizzes past your eyes and ears at such speed that a one second blink makes ten things you’ve missed. At the end you walk out babbling in loud voices while waiting for your hearing to come back. “So,” someone says a day later, “what was your favorite part?”

Erm. That thing with the elephants. Yeah, and the time that guy did that flip, the one where he almost crash-landed but didn’t. That. It’s hard to say what happened when there was so much going on. It’s all a blur. The Washington Post music blog reviewed U2’s concert at the end of September by talking mostly about the stage set. “It was stunning, surreal — oh, and a rock band played beneath it, too.” I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be the other way around.

That’s why I love simple, heartfelt performances. The “Macy’s Day Parade” video, or the one for “Last Night on Earth”. Just some guys with a guitar and a microphone. I love special effects as much as anyone, but after a while it feels overloaded. Maybe we don’t need a car chase, a shootout and a dramatic rescue all at once. Without the flash, the focus is on the song. It’s only then that you realize how incredibly gorgeous the music really is. Everything in black and white, with Billie Joe singing “And I’m thinking ’bout the only road, the one I’ve never known, and where it goes” while Mike and Tre plug away behind him. All those heart-stopping notes filmed in a junkyard. Because when you’re really good at something, it shows. Without any flashing lights.

December 11, 2009 at 10:16 pm [ Category: Essay, Personal ]

Comment from Stacy (classof13) December 12, 2009, 12:13 am

I just watched the “Macy’s Day Parade” video today while doing homework, and was thinking about how much I loved it. How simple and gorgeous it was. Thank you for that. :)

Comment from Elly December 12, 2009, 12:38 pm

I agree. I respect U2 and all those other bands, but I really think the beauty of it is in the music. That’s why I would go. And I absolutely love those two songs- they are so much more powerful by themselves I think, than smothered amidst all those special effects. I think when Green Day plays their songs like that, it automatically makes you feel closer to them.
Such powerful stuff. :)

Comment from Abbey December 12, 2009, 2:41 pm

Interesting you should mention U2. I heard much about the staging of their tour so I shelled out $125 x 2 for face value tickets and was impressed by the staging for a HUGE stadium, but the band barely used a quarter of the stage. Bono tripped around the walkways in such a bored, tired, way that their music left me completely bored, tired, and annoyed myself. As my crush (AC) wrote, “face it, if a band doesnt sweat and rant, and grit their teeth and almost die while playing they they aint shit.”

Comment from Moonbeam December 12, 2009, 6:44 pm

Love they eassy and I really agree. I don’t mind elaborate shows, I think that’s cool to put on a good show, but I love how green day do it. It’s the guys we came to see, not some giant claw thing or flashy dancers. Even if green day’s graphics or pyrotechnics messed up nobody would really notice because the guys performance is so good, they are the main attracion at the show.

Comment from Neo December 13, 2009, 1:20 am

i lov this song…
the video was made in one take and the black n white background really was appealing..

Comment from Delfina December 13, 2009, 5:55 am

I love the simplicity. Like you said, it really lets the heartfelt core shine.

It’s amazing at the concerts, at the end, when Billie Joe is out there alone with a guitar, singing to thousands of people. It takes your breath away.

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