Questioning/regarding Crystal Method's live performance lastnight - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

-Ever- · 03-05-2004, 12:17 PM

So I went to see the Crystal Method at the warfield in San Francisco lastnight. It was a really small, intimate event. Arriving late could still easily get you within 40 feet of the group.
So I've never done a live performance, and I've never met anyone to show me how they do it. I do know, though, that there are many ways to do it, some being much more "live" than others. First off, let me say that I'm not complaining in any way about the performance. I had a great time and loved watching them jam.
What I'm wondering is is if anyone knows the extent that these guys actually play live, or if anyone can at least maybe share a similar story. What I saw was the two guys jamming on keyboards, dancing around, sometimes missing beats while playing (I could see them hit the keyboard too late...) They didn't mix the songs. One song would end, and without either of them working any kind of computer (there were no computers in sight), the next song would begin. Beat, bass, and synths would begin rolling while they were drinking their water and sitting back. They just seemed to work the synths for background leads and siren-like noises.
Again, I'm not complaining. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone can either explain or relate. I know it's hard to play live, especially as often as they do. I'm guessing they either had some premade set that some sound guy in the back was cueing and they just kind of played over it....
peace
-T

degrawj · 03-05-2004, 01:39 PM

from my experience, there are many ways to do live shows with electronic music. one way, the simple way, is to do what it sounds like crystal method did: have a pre ordered play list, play the songs minus some synth lines and whatnot, and then just play those synth lines and whatnot live. this gives the artist, or artists, more of a chance to interact with the crowd. so just because they aren't exactly "playing live," the show can still be good, because of the crowd interaction.

a second way to do it, and one that i have seen in multiple shows, is to have a set playlist, and have a laptop setup on stage where the musicians can start/stop loops and other song lines using music programs like Reason and such. in this setting, you can actually see the artists playing the music. they start the song by cueing it up in Reason, and then play the synths and other instruments through the song. still, the songs that play through the music program are of a set lenth and order, so the artists aren't exactly playing the music "on the fly," which makes it easier for them, and they can still interact with the crowd. this is my favourite way for an electronic band to do a live show.

the third way, and one that is not done very often (i've only seen it once), is to do the whole thing live. the group will usually have a drum machine, or drum pads, and there will be a full fleged band on the stage playing all the instruments. this is usually a hit or miss type show. KMFDM did their show like this and it kind of stunk. but i have heard live recordings of other groups doing this type of show and it sounded awesome.

so there ya go. i'm not exactly an expert in this area, but i've been to enough shows, and have made enough music of my own to kind of understand how the whole thing works. if i've been at all inaccurate with a description, please, feel free to call me on it.

kutulu · 03-05-2004, 01:58 PM

This is why I have less respect for electronic music than other forms. There is so much to the songs that for the most part it can't be reproduced live. Ministry does have a lot of electronic aspects to their music but according to them, everything is live. No backups, tape, etc.

-Ever- · 03-05-2004, 02:02 PM

Yeah I guess that's how Crystal Method did their stuff. More of an act I guess. I've seen some cool live shows though. Tinrib (hard trance, energy...) came out to SF twice with his sidekick and a G4. He would use something like Albeton Live and instead of just playing over the premade track, he would just use the premade loops and sequence it on the fly. More room for mistake, but I liked that he would extend the buildups and change things from their original, already heard forms.

zfleebin · 03-05-2004, 03:58 PM

I have seen a bunch of live acts at raves and have seen them set up many different ways. To really know what they are doing though you need to know the hardware/software. In most cases they will have a sequence setup (sequencer or software program) as a foundation and basis for the clock and then a couple synths and samplers to jam with. There are some people out there though who will get pretty creative using feedback and broken cords/mics to get freaky sounds.

Spartak · 03-05-2004, 06:50 PM

I saw them play a couple of years ago and they had a whole array of keyboards and whatnot on stage, as well as a couple of laptops.

WarWagon · 03-06-2004, 10:21 AM

I watched one of their large European live concerts on TV once (HUGE crowds of people outdoors), and it they were definitely more involved with it than you were describing. I'd imagine they half ass it on some of the smaller shows like you're describing almost as a break, and then kind of go all out at the larger venues.

03-06-2004, 09:21 PM

It's really hard to pull a full real live set with electronic music, but they produce live as much as they possibly can squeeze in. Ever seen Moby live? OMG- he is so awesomely crazy!
It depends on the electronic artist, though. I have seen many, and many are able to tear it up, even with software, pre-recorded playsets and beatboxes and mixers.

03-05-2004, 12:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
-Ever- Junkie Location: San Francisco	Questioning/regarding Crystal Method's live performance lastnight So I went to see the Crystal Method at the warfield in San Francisco lastnight. It was a really small, intimate event. Arriving late could still easily get you within 40 feet of the group. So I've never done a live performance, and I've never met anyone to show me how they do it. I do know, though, that there are many ways to do it, some being much more "live" than others. First off, let me say that I'm not complaining in any way about the performance. I had a great time and loved watching them jam. What I'm wondering is is if anyone knows the extent that these guys actually play live, or if anyone can at least maybe share a similar story. What I saw was the two guys jamming on keyboards, dancing around, sometimes missing beats while playing (I could see them hit the keyboard too late...) They didn't mix the songs. One song would end, and without either of them working any kind of computer (there were no computers in sight), the next song would begin. Beat, bass, and synths would begin rolling while they were drinking their water and sitting back. They just seemed to work the synths for background leads and siren-like noises. Again, I'm not complaining. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone can either explain or relate. I know it's hard to play live, especially as often as they do. I'm guessing they either had some premade set that some sound guy in the back was cueing and they just kind of played over it.... peace -T __________________ Embracing the goddess energy within yourselves will bring all of you to a new understanding and valuing of life. A vision that inspires you to live and love on planet Earth. Like a priceless jewel buried in dark layers of soil and stone, Earth radiates her brilliant beauty into the caverns of space and time. Perhaps you are aware of those who watch over your home And experience of this place to visit and play with reality. You are becoming aware of yourself as a gamemaster... --Acknowledge your weaknesses--

03-05-2004, 02:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
-Ever- Junkie Location: San Francisco	Yeah I guess that's how Crystal Method did their stuff. More of an act I guess. I've seen some cool live shows though. Tinrib (hard trance, energy...) came out to SF twice with his sidekick and a G4. He would use something like Albeton Live and instead of just playing over the premade track, he would just use the premade loops and sequence it on the fly. More room for mistake, but I liked that he would extend the buildups and change things from their original, already heard forms. __________________ Embracing the goddess energy within yourselves will bring all of you to a new understanding and valuing of life. A vision that inspires you to live and love on planet Earth. Like a priceless jewel buried in dark layers of soil and stone, Earth radiates her brilliant beauty into the caverns of space and time. Perhaps you are aware of those who watch over your home And experience of this place to visit and play with reality. You are becoming aware of yourself as a gamemaster... --Acknowledge your weaknesses--

03-05-2004, 06:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Spartak Bang bang Location: New Zealand	I saw them play a couple of years ago and they had a whole array of keyboards and whatnot on stage, as well as a couple of laptops. __________________ I can read your mind... looking at you... I can read your mind...

03-05-2004, 01:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
degrawj I'm still waiting... Location: West Linn, OR	from my experience, there are many ways to do live shows with electronic music. one way, the simple way, is to do what it sounds like crystal method did: have a pre ordered play list, play the songs minus some synth lines and whatnot, and then just play those synth lines and whatnot live. this gives the artist, or artists, more of a chance to interact with the crowd. so just because they aren't exactly "playing live," the show can still be good, because of the crowd interaction. a second way to do it, and one that i have seen in multiple shows, is to have a set playlist, and have a laptop setup on stage where the musicians can start/stop loops and other song lines using music programs like Reason and such. in this setting, you can actually see the artists playing the music. they start the song by cueing it up in Reason, and then play the synths and other instruments through the song. still, the songs that play through the music program are of a set lenth and order, so the artists aren't exactly playing the music "on the fly," which makes it easier for them, and they can still interact with the crowd. this is my favourite way for an electronic band to do a live show. the third way, and one that is not done very often (i've only seen it once), is to do the whole thing live. the group will usually have a drum machine, or drum pads, and there will be a full fleged band on the stage playing all the instruments. this is usually a hit or miss type show. KMFDM did their show like this and it kind of stunk. but i have heard live recordings of other groups doing this type of show and it sounded awesome. so there ya go. i'm not exactly an expert in this area, but i've been to enough shows, and have made enough music of my own to kind of understand how the whole thing works. if i've been at all inaccurate with a description, please, feel free to call me on it.

03-05-2004, 01:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	This is why I have less respect for electronic music than other forms. There is so much to the songs that for the most part it can't be reproduced live. Ministry does have a lot of electronic aspects to their music but according to them, everything is live. No backups, tape, etc.

03-05-2004, 03:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
zfleebin Addict	I have seen a bunch of live acts at raves and have seen them set up many different ways. To really know what they are doing though you need to know the hardware/software. In most cases they will have a sequence setup (sequencer or software program) as a foundation and basis for the clock and then a couple synths and samplers to jam with. There are some people out there though who will get pretty creative using feedback and broken cords/mics to get freaky sounds.

03-06-2004, 10:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	I watched one of their large European live concerts on TV once (HUGE crowds of people outdoors), and it they were definitely more involved with it than you were describing. I'd imagine they half ass it on some of the smaller shows like you're describing almost as a break, and then kind of go all out at the larger venues.

03-06-2004, 09:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
:::OshnSoul::: Guest	It's really hard to pull a full real live set with electronic music, but they produce live as much as they possibly can squeeze in. Ever seen Moby live? OMG- he is so awesomely crazy! It depends on the electronic artist, though. I have seen many, and many are able to tear it up, even with software, pre-recorded playsets and beatboxes and mixers.