Ok, so I finally ponied up $100 USD for a concert ticket in Hong Kong when I heard that my all-time-favorite songwriter, David Byrne (Talking Heads) was coming. I broke the mold and even purchased the most expensive, up front and just-off-center tickets I could get. Let me begin by saying that the music, performance and sound were all immaculate. If you have a chance to see David Byrne in Asia on this tour, go go go! I would also like to thank Lushington Entertainment for bringing such a high-quality act to Asia. ...but here is where the kudos end.
First the math. I am 41, David Byrne is 57, Rock and Roll is about 60; most people get "involved" in music in their teens. I also feel that for most people, such as myself, the height of the rock and roll experience comes in your late teens and early twenties. So, for me that is about 20 years past and David Byrne 30 years past. Judging from what I can only describe as the "casual CEO" look of the crowd last night, I think the average rock peak of the audience last night was somewhere in the middle of 25 years ago; and this is where things get ugly.
For at least the first 45 minutes of the show last night and EVEN through a great rendition of "I Zimbra" we (the crowd) sat still in our seats politely clapping after each song and then fading into silence awaiting the start of the next song. It was VERY uncomfortable to watch and even David Byrne seemed to rush into each forthcoming song a little faster in order to minimize the discomfort. What was wrong with us? Why weren't we rushing the stage, jumping on our chairs, yelling out our favorite songs? I think there are two factors at play here.
Factor 1: We are old. I am do not care how free-wheeling of a life you have had and how carefree you feel you are even though you are 50+, but there is nothing sexy, cool or fun watching grey, balding, fat people rock out. Maybe we watch too many rock videos, but there is a very good reason that you never see anyone in my age group dancing in tight jeans in a rap video.
Factor 2: Sterility. (This has nothing to do with factor 1) This refers to the venue and atmosphere of the show. While the HKCEC is a great venue and very accommodating, it can be too accommodating. The show was not sold-out by any means, so there was too much room. There was no alcohol service for the show, so most of us were entirely too well behaved and stiff. There were no smoke machines to provide that "club fuzz" that all rock and roll dreams are made of; usually a product of second-hand smoke. Some of the best shows of my life were spent crammed into a corner, covered in beer, smelling of smoke and just not giving a damn because the music was so great. That crammed-in feeling also made it easier to start dancing and getting into the show, because no one cared how you moved because no one could see how you moved; you all moved as one. Also, you always broke a sweat. Last night, no sweat. In fact the show ended so cleanly that I had to stop in Wan Chai on the way home, just to taste some beer, smell some smoke, and break a weak sweat. Pitiful.
I am not sure exactly when it happened, but at some point last night we all warmed up, stood up and started participating in the show. In fact, we made enough noise for three encores. Did we make up for our poor performance during the first set? No; however, we did make the second half of the show more enjoyable for the artists and ourselves. I guess the lesson I learned last night is that a good rock show has many elements; not the least a good audience. And, I would dare to say a younger audience. I love my music and I love going to see live shows; I just think at some point, for the betterment of Rock and Roll, we (the aged) should step aside and let the young people go to the shows. Rock and Roll may be 60 years old, but it is still mostly for the young.
See David Byrne on his Asian tour, but only if you are young (or can fake it)!
P.S. Hey Lushington, please choose some more aptly suited venues that sell beer and make us sweat! Smaller is sometimes better.
