I'm always in two minds about tribute bands. On the one hand you want to see the artists that composed the music performing it but often, and for many reasons, they don't/can't do it anymore. But it might still be good to be able to hear that in a live performance and what's to complain about that - many of these kinds of shows are put on by people who have a deep love of the music they're performing and that comes through in the shows that they put on.
At the end of the day, the London Symphony Orchestra or any other such outfit playing Beethoven, Bach, Mahler etc etc are no more than tribute outfits in those terms but they're never referred to as such.
Rather like rock music in general, many of the tribute bands won't stick but the major music of the past fifty years will still continue to be performed in a live context in as many years from now I suspect.
And, as I've said before, I hope that George and Bob choose a different name for their band other than Son of Man. Notwithstanding any claim of veritas, I don't think it's a great name. And I think there's other reasons to avoid it as well
I'm not sure I agree with much of that. I think Beethoven, Bach, Mahler wrote music intending it to played by different orchestras, and the orchestra that first performed the pieces was probably not involved in the creative process anyway. Beethoven et al weren't part of bands per se or even the live performance in most cases so there is a fundamental difference.
There is a harm in tribute bands in so much as that as that they take up a lot of slots at small music venues that 20 years ago would have been taken up by bands performing original music. Bands like er Man for a start. I know theres an argument that the tribute bands keep these venues going as they draw in the punters but Im not sure I buy that. Live music is going through something of a renaissance at the moment and if bands playing original music were promoted properly people would come, perhaps?
For every tribute band that is born out of love there are several that are strictly corporate entities. At its worse this results in the likes of the "Bjorn Again" franchise or the bunch or ar**holes that call them themselves the "Australian Pink Floyd"
It puts me in mind of a recent Pete Townsend quote were he said "I'm glad my career has been as an artist rather than an entertainer. Any c*nt can be an entertainer". It sounds a little pretentious but I understand exactly where he is coming from. There is just something more exciting and worthwile about bands that write and perform their own music. For me anyway.
Georges band are called "Son of Man" at least they were at the memorial concert last year and unless George advises otherwise will be called that on the DVD of the concert. I think for what they are trying to achieve its quite a good name. Theres actually an American band called "Son of Man" as well. I think in their case with no Manband connotations its a pretty good name. I think as regards veritas its a lot more honest than Ace Ryan and the indie kids calling themselves Man. Trying to think objectively which is difficult, if I were a casual fan who'd only seen them occaisionally in the past I'd feel a bit ripped off to be honest.
15/03/2023 -
Man at The Half Moon, Putney in London.
16/03/2023 -
Relocated to a larger venue:, Man at Hangar 18 in Swansea.
