Four ways technology will change the Jam Band scene

Monday 05/16/2011 by jackl

FOUR WAYS TECHNOLOGY WILL CHANGE THE JAM BAND SCENE

Andrew Duch at the Headstash site has written a thought provoking article about how technology will change the Jam Band scene.

Duch sees a decline in "organic" roots rock music like the jam band genre, in favor of electronica and DJ based music. He also considers the implications of RFID wristbands and smartphone apps to allow cashless festivals and friend finding features. Interactive shows and enhanced couch tours also could be part of the future if bands embrace and facilitate the technology, like audience taping, instead of fighting it.

Food for thought.

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12 comments - Link: http://phi.sh/b/4dd15bf2

Comments

2011-05-16 1:23 pm, comment by hootsieroll

I am currently playing in a "roots" band, in so much as we don't incorporate electronics into our show. I think about ways to implement other aspects of tech. into our scene all the time. DO you know of any specific examples of this happening now? I remember at 8, we did actually have one wristband for the entire fest., but it didn’t have any RFID.
Thanks,

Hootsieroll

Score: 0

2011-05-16 1:40 pm, comment by jackl

The author talks about some stuff Umphries is doing and mentions an example of fans being able to do stuff like controlling a light show from the audience with an iPad.

Duch doesn't go into too many examples of current tech in organic music, but didn't Mike use this Kosselator thing on the recent Mike tour and let audience members jam with the band on it?

Score: 0

2011-05-16 2:15 pm, comment by jezmund92

glad umphreys got some recognition here. the umbowl realy is an incredible idea. i bought the live stream on iclips for less than 10 bucks last april and was blown away

Score: 0

2011-05-16 6:24 pm, comment by Frizz

I do not like this road.

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2011-05-16 6:48 pm, comment by jackl

Which part of the road, @Frizzle_Phried? The evolution of music away from roots/organic (if you buy that theory) or inclusion of tech in music?

Nothing wrong with couch tour is there if you can't (for whatever reason, and there are many in life, work, money or lack thereof, family) see the live thing.

(Somewhat playing the Devil's Advocate, because live music and the experience, friends, etc. are best experienced live of course...but)

Like the article says, our own fave musicians pushed the tech envelope for our benefit, why shouldn't things keep evolving?

Score: 0

2011-05-16 9:11 pm, comment by highgravity

electronic music has been around for decades. have no fear friends, the guitar is here to stay. streaming however, is relatively new and seriously awesome! if I could pay like 5-10$ for a sbd quality stream 100s or 1000s of miles away (when there is absolutely no chance of me attending in person) that is my idea of a modern music community.

Score: 1

2011-05-17 5:01 pm, comment by jkrim716

Personally I dont like the sound of this. I dont think the audience should be able to sway the direction of the shows, the band should have full control in taking the show any direction they want to go. Thats what leads to such different and creative shows, its all in the musicians. I think that would kill what many of these bands strive to go for. The best kinds of shows are where Phish really feels the music, and playing exactly what the audience wants to ruins that. And i also think couch tour will never replace just being able to sit and listen to the music. Some of his statements are valid as i really dont see another band becoming what Phish and the Dead did.

Score: 0

2011-05-17 8:12 pm, comment by Banff

I like the idea of couch tour because it costs so much to see Phish now and I feel they are playing very similar shows . Back in the day it was awesome to go on tour because you could do it for cheap without selling grill cheese & weed and you never knew what kinda show you were getting. I will still go to shows to hang with friends and experience the live madness, but if could pay $10 a pop to watch an east coast Phish show in my living room, please bring it !!!! (without glitches )

Score: 0

2011-05-17 9:59 pm, comment by jezmund92

@jkrim716 said:

Personally I dont like the sound of this. I dont think the audience should be able to sway the direction of the shows, the band should have full control in taking the show any direction they want to go. Thats what leads to such different and creative shows, its all in the musicians. I think that would kill what many of these bands strive to go for. The best kinds of shows are where Phish really feels the music, and playing exactly what the audience wants to ruins that.

1. any band who could actually pull this off would only do it once to a few times a year.

2. Trey (and probably the rest of the band) would 100% agree with you, and Phish would never do something like this just because thats how they are, plus it wasnt their original idea

Score: 0

2011-05-27 3:31 pm, comment by screechingllama

After unsuccessfully trying to unload these extra lotto lawns, most for less than face and fees, I am all for the couch tour. It never replaces being there, but who wants to eat 8 lawns just to get marginal pavs for a few summer shows?

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