|
Mute the Hoople at High Voltage
 Posted
7/26/2010 4:16:00 AM
Just got back from the High Voltage Festival, a two-day event staged over the weekend in glorious Victoria Park in London. The sun shone for this brand new tribute to classic rock, and for the most part it was a great festival.
However, regular readers of this blog know that I often return to a recurring theme - that of respect, and in particular how it is continuously and steadily being eroded in all aspects of life.
So, a situation occurred at High Voltage and I'd love to know what you think of it. Def Leppard frontman, Joe Elliott appeared at the festival with his side project Down 'N' Outz; best described as a fun, lively outfit that pays tribute to Seventies British rock, in particular Mott The Hoople and the British Lions.
As heavily advertised on the Festival's own publicity material, Mott The Hoople's legendary frontman, 71-year-old Ian Hunter took to the stage with Down 'N' Outz towards the end of the set to join in on a few classic Hoople songs. To give you an impression of how revered this musician is in the UK, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, amongst many others, was watching in the wings.
Now here's the incident on which I'd love to hear your views. Having played Once Bitten, Twice Shy followed by Who Do You Love and getting the crowd ramped up, the scene was perfectly set for a climatic rendition of All The Young Dudes. However, at this exact point the plug was pulled; band still on stage and the crowd screaming for the song. The PA was simply switched off and the band told to leave the stage.
Now, I understand that festivals need to follow a timetable and each band has a fixed time slot. But, All The Young Dudes, written by David Bowie is a four minute song. Would it really have made that much difference in a 35 minute changeover to not let these legends finish with this tune?
I've seen the plug pulled on bands at festivals before, but normally only because the band are inciting the crowd to partake in dangerous activities or for a serious time overrun. Never have I seen it pulled on a living legend such as Hunter, or indeed Elliot who has been in the business for 32 years and been part of a band that has sold over 100million albums worldwide.
Instead, to usher such musicians off the stage in this style left a bitter taste, not only in the performers' mouths but many in the crowd were also incensed that the legendary Ian Hunter was offered no chance to thank them, never mind play the most iconic Hoople song of all time.
So, should stage managers of a festival paying homage to classic rock artists give them a little respect and let them over-run by a few minutes? Or, should artists respect festival organisers and ensure that they complete their set bang on time? What do you think?
UPDATE 28/7: According to sources it was ELP's road crew who pulled the plug. ELP took the stage after Down 'N' Outz.......oh dear! See this fan footage on YouTube:
|
|
David
|
|
|
|
They should have let them finish. The only time the plug should be pulled is if the overtime is excessively long. By doing this, the stage manager is possibly losing business, both with the band and the people attending the concert.
|
|
Posted By
Joan
On
7/26/2010 1:09:59 PM
|
|
Respect is a dead word in our new world.Concert promoters are only interested in making money . They don't care what happens or who is in the show as long as they make their money.That is the same in sports, entertainment or music.Why else do you think everything cost so much?The last couple of twin bill concerts that came through Toronto, ( James Taylor & Carol King ) were charging the public $300.00 a ticket.I don't what to go on vacation with them I only wanted to hear them play.But now you're telling me they are pulling the plug on great acts after you paid good money to be entertained. I say we all stop going out to any live events & see if they might change their tune or maybe the prices!
|
|
Posted By
JB
On
7/26/2010 12:37:18 PM
|
|
Ian Hunter is 71????? Holy I'm old! LOL Yep, Liz. Ian Hunter was born on 3rd June 1939 - Dave
|
|
Posted By
Liz
On
7/26/2010 12:07:20 PM
|
|
What a drag! That one Mott The Hoople song would have made the entire event for me. I understand scheduling and all that... but promoters need to make allowances for such a rare event. Ludicrous!
|
|
Posted By
Bob
On
7/26/2010 9:03:26 AM
|
|
let them play as many of the old rockers are departed.
|
|
Posted By
frederick steadman
On
7/26/2010 7:33:01 AM
|
|
that is awful
|
|
Posted By
Elaine
On
7/26/2010 7:30:33 AM
|
|
You have got to be f@#$%g kidding me!!!!!! I am at a total loss for words. The stage manager should have his plug pulled. On a cheerier note, I hope you got to see ELP? And oh, to see Heep play Demons & Wizards (big sigh). Did you see Transatlantic? Did Heaven & Hell perform, and with which vocalist? Marillion any good? So many questions, so much music, so little time.
|
|
Posted By
Aly
On
7/26/2010 6:58:43 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|