The Band: Being Part Of It
There is a special bond that happens between musicians who play together regularly. I imagine it’s similar with sports teams, although I’ve never really been part of one. I keep score and statistics for my wife’s softball team, and while recognize this provides meaningful active support to the team, it’s not the same as being on the field. When the game is over and we all head out for beers and burgers, it’s the players that celebrate / recount / analyze their game. I don’t feel excluded from the conversation (I am happy to participate in pretty much any conversation as long as I don’t feel I’m intruding); there is a simply a different relationship between the on-field players.
It’s the same within a band. The experience of practicing and playing together is a process of fusion for the individuals who share that adventure. Backstage between sets or after the show, we are joined by kind people who are our friends / spouses / supporters. Their experience of the night’s proceedings often differ from those of the band. Most of the time I feel pretty happy and positive after shows; I am lucky to play with good musicians and we generally have good communication via our instruments. We get feedback from listeners and observers, and it’s important to know how the event seemed to those in attendance, but the performers have an intensely personal connection to the actual event.
This past weekend I thought our 80s Invasion gig was pretty good. Apparently so did our listeners, but for different reasons. Onstage, we felt the music was played solidly, with good vocal harmonies and tight arrangements. The feedback from our audience indicated we were fun to watch and played music they recognized. I suppose that is an endorsement of a sort.