The big screen television plague

Subject: The big screen television plague
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 08:32 AM

I've mentioned this in the "Murphy's Law" thread but the current plague for virtually every Irish pub to install and have permanently switched on one of those infernal big screen televisions is really beginning to bug me!

Here in Brussels we have about 15 or 16 Irish pubs and virtually every single one has one of these wretched devices. They have virtually destroyed the chance of having any kind of informal session. Even with a dozen or more good players present and even with some visiting "celebrities" it seems that you have a battle to get the infernal thing switched of, even if only a couple of zombies are watching the "big game". It seems to most of us here that there is a decreasing level of respect for "live music" by "live people" these days. I have been booked several times to play starting at, say, 9pm, only to have to sit and wait till the big match finishes at 10h30.

We're beginning to go back to "house sessions" here as a result which may be a good thing in many ways but it does seem a shame that "Irish" pubs don't seem to value Irish music in some places.

I've not noticed this so much on visits to the States or Canada and not so much in Ireland. Is it happening in Britain too or is it a purely local thing here. Does anyone else have experience with this.

Sorry for the rant but this is a pet hate at the moment and I had to get it off my chest!

All the best,

mcmoo

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: kendall
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 10:51 AM

Wow!! Am I with you or what..I will never understand people who stare at a tv no matter what is on. I have friends and brothers who watch sports, and, I'm baffled as to why. I cannot imagine anything less relevent in my life than which group of glandular cases wins or loses some silly ball throwing/hitting/kicking thing.
Oh well, like it or not, we folkies are outnumbered by the knuckle draggers.

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 11:06 AM

Am I correct in thinking that you have been HIRED to play and the owner/bartender lets this go on? How awful!! Have you tried a contract thingie that says TV WILL BE OFF from ---to -----? Other options--stop taking gigs there or if they won't turn it off when you are supposed to start, ask for your $$ and leave. Find a different pub.

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 11:20 AM

The old days the live music was always in another room; unfortunately modern designs are too open. I would like to see more emphasis on live music (folk) but you are victims of the Nintendo generation, who do not believe its fun, unless they are plugged into something...I know what I prefer to plug into, and its not electrical. (yet) Yours,Aye.Dave

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 11:37 AM

Dear Sorcha,

Yes, it's come to refusing to play (sometimes paid gigs) in certain places where this practice has taken hold as a matter of principle. Unfortunately there seem to be almost no Irish pubs (in this city at least) where this scourge is absent.

Like Dave says, it seems as if many are not happy unless they are staring at something electronic. It's a pity that this seems to take precedence over a lot of talented people getting together, more often than not at their own expense, and offering real live entertainment.

Best regards,

mcmoo

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 12:35 PM

Kendall- To paraphrase: Outnumbered by knuckle draggers or not, they ARE knuckle draggers.

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: GUEST,Peter T.
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 01:59 PM

I have a probably dopey suggestion, but why not bring in a TV camera, point it at yourselves, and wire it up to the big screen? The picture will be terrible (I am assuming a cheap camera here), but you will get some people who will not watch human beings unless digitized, and the rest will be so unhhappy with the picture quality, they will turn their attention to you. ("Arrgh, what's on? Chirist, it's here!!!!")
just a thought. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Metchosin
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 03:06 PM

Good idea Peter T.! *BG* Actually the big screen is being used here, with good cameras, in some clubs, for the benefit of those who can't see the musician up close, from the back of the room, so I guess you might be able to wring something good from the technology.

Another problem, at least here on the Westcoast of Canada (Duh, ya mean there's sumthin besides Hockey?) some Private Functions are willing to pay more for some Bozo to push buttons and provide inane prattle along with Canned Music, than to hire a real band, most of whom are better musicians, than a lot of "top 10" coming out of the sound system.

On the bright side, there is a back lash here, against all this s**t, at least with a growing segment of the younger "alternative" generation who will only accept their music "live" no matter how bad, and be warned it is getting much better and they are starting to include folk influences in it now.

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 03:10 PM

LOL!! (rant on) Good to know I'm not the only one suffering through this... The t.v. is todays fire pit... the eye is invariably drawn to its flicker and conversation fades to the monosylabic... It bugs me more when I meet frieds at the pub and all they want to do is sit at the bar and watch "Dumb Americans Who Want Easy Money"... If I'd wanted to watch the t.v. I'da stayed at home, not gone to the pub... The other electronic gadget that bugs me in the pub is the cell phone... I go to the pub so I can be somewhere where people CAN'T call me... I understand if yer wife is on the 38th week or something, but if yer the average Joe Shmuck why the hell do you need a cell phone.. those are the people I hope GET brain cancer... I hear the lots of places in New York are banning them! YAAA!!!

(rant off)

As far as gigs go, I have no problem at all waiting for the game to end before I start my gig... it's not like I get paid any less... so hell, same money, less work! Sounds great to me! I'll sit my butt down at the Guinness trough and smoke till the game is done... and pray for overtime! I once ended up going on at 11:45! Talk about easy money... So you folks go ahead and refuse to play, and I'll pick upt he gigs k! LOL!

;-)

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: kendall
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 03:12 PM

Ebbie, I dont understand??

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: sophocleese
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 03:18 PM

As a spectator I hate big screen TV in bars, because I really do want to pay attention to whoever I'm with or whoever might be playing but my eyes stray to where the movement is. I'm not interested in the game but that flicker catches my eyes all the time. I try and sit in places where I cannot see it and neither can my friends. It would be a lot more fun to have it rigged to show the show instead of the sport, on other nights you could aim the camera on the street.

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: GUEST,Marcia
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 03:27 PM

I guess we are fortunate here in Kansas City to have at least 2 pubs where live music is the focus, not the side act. One of the pubs is co-owned by a KC Chief, so the TVs are "exposed" on game days, but otherwise, they are shuttered and most people don't even know they're there.

I agree on the separate room issue, at one pub I know of the sports are placed in the smaller room and the crowd gravitates to the live music!!

Refreshing!

If you're ever in the Kansas City area, check out O'Malley's Pub in Weston, MO!

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 03:46 PM

Reasons why I am an elitist (and don't lose sleep over it)

1. Big (and little) screen TVs in pubs, instead of live humans playing music.

2. Country music on radio and TV videos all the same formula, same sound, same image, all well done and Boringgg!

3. Folks discussing the merits of one political candidate over another, when it should be totally obvious that NONE of them will say anything that might lose them votes.

4. The music I love is enjoyed by less than 1/4 of a percent of the record buying public.

Yup, we're a very small island folks, but as small islands go, it's a pretty good one. Thanks McMoo, it's good to get things off your chest once in a while.

Rick

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: GUEST,Den
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 03:56 PM

Just love these sweeping generalizations. Not all sports fans are knuckle draggers. In fact I've seen some folkies who looked like they just learned to walk upright that morning. I love football (have no time for the word soccer) and I love folk music and both can live in harmony, but not in the same room. Dave hit the nail on the head. Most of the pubs in Ireland have a public bar which is where the tv resides and a lounge (which is a separate room) where the music takes place. This gives you options at least. I hate these open plan designs where the bars end up looking like barns and the patrons end up behaving like they belong in one. Den

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Banjer
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 04:01 PM

I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of mcmoo's statement;
'Like Dave says, it seems as if many are not happy unless they are staring at something electronic.'
The fact that I was staring at something electronic whilst reading that just struck me as hilarious!!

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Callie
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 04:22 PM

*laugh!* yes but will there come a day when there's an internet connection at every bar stool?!

My band also has been paid to do a gig, and we'll end up sitting about for two hours coz of the footy on the tv. We have also refused to play while the tv's on, but it leaves no alternatives but to go outside (not so good in winter). It's really wierd having people really close up to you but they couldn't give a toss about the music - they're looking up at the screen.

Peter T - I love the idea of fiddling with the electronics. Could we widen the idea to having random close up shots of patrons?! Callie

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Amos
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 04:45 PM

Get a tiny camera you can wear in your lapel, hooked to a wireless box that will feed through to the wall TV. Then they'll look at you so they can see themselves on TV, looking at you (or the TV) ...wait..no, that's not quite right...back to the drawing board.

A

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Banjer
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 05:09 PM

Amos, it seems that with the lapel cam it would be time for that old Giesenslaw (sp?) Brothers number: I Was Looking Back To See If You Were Looking Back To See If I Was Looking Back To See If You Were Looking Back At Me. Would fit right in with the audience's eyes darting back and forth from stage to screen!

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: GUEST,Petr
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 08:09 PM

I like Peter T.s suggestion of hooking to video and playing the live music on the monitors. Ive seen it done in a Irish session in London. It was more a performance than session I should say as they were miked as well and werent open to other players.

The One true Irish Pub in vancouver bc. (The Irish Heather) has no tv monitors, although other pubs do, usually the sound is turned down, but its still irritating. Petr.

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: GUEST,Petr
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 08:51 PM

I like Peter T.s suggestion of hooking to video and playing the live music on the monitors. Ive seen it done in a Irish session in London. It was more a performance than session I should say as they were miked as well and werent open to other players.

The One true Irish Pub in vancouver bc. (The Irish Heather) has no tv monitors, although other pubs do, usually the sound is turned down, but its still irritating. Petr.

Subject: RE: The big screen television plague
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 11:02 PM

Sorry, Kendall. I was referring to another thread where someone said something like, No matter how outnumbered you are by idiots, just remember, they remain idiots. Ebbie