Tenerife forum

[irishmusico]

Hi Bard
I think that you will find that some Irish bars are a bit dearer than other bars but you will generally find that they have live music on(sorry back to the debate again,some sort of live music) and the entertainment will (Hopefully)make up for the price.Having said that we generally seem to be busy enough,when other bars are no so,so we do ok.If you ever drop in I will buy your first pint.PM me first in case I'm on a day off.
Cheers

[bardofely]

Maybe I'll call in sometime and take you up on that, Irishmusico! Cheers!
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[BobBoogie]

I have read with great interest your comments on various topics from the standard of "live" entertainment to opportunities for performing original music both here and in the UK.

Having played in live bands in the UK and worked with a number of very talented professional musicians I can tell you that the opportunities to perform original numbers are few and far between and are limited to a small number of venues. It is therefore not surprising that there are very few venues in Tenerife. It should also be noted that if you are a singer/ songwriter and want to showcase your talents why would you choose to perform in Tenerife in the first place. Your only real opportunity would be via the internet.

As for your comments on the use of backing tracks what you have to consider is the economics of the situation here in Tenerife. Back in the UK there are a limited number of venues in each town/city which make provisions for "live" music and therefore they attract good crowds for the good acts. Here in Tenerife there are too many venues competing for too few tourists. Many of the venues are quite small and can therefore only have a limited number of "punters". This obviously determines the size of the act that they can support financially. This is why there are limited venues for "live" bands. I perform in a duo and we use backing tracks but we spend a lot of time and money recording the backing tracks to suit our style and strengths and to put our own mark on the music we perform. You can instantly tell the difference between professionally prepared backing tracks and those which are merely karaoke tracks copied onto mini-disk.

There are a number of very professional acts on the island which do stand out from the karaoke singers and they are the acts that are in demand and who fill the venues they play at night after night, week after week. Our job as entertainers is to put "bums on seats" and play the music that the punters want to hear not be prema donas playing music that they have never heard. Just think the reaction of the audience when they go to a concert of their favourite band and they launch into songs from their about to be released album - it is disappointment and they only respond when they kick into the anthems that were big hits. Yes there are people who want to listen to original music but they are in the minority and tend not to be the people who frequent holiday bars and clubs and more importantly spend money.

We know a number of the live bands here in Tenerife and believe me these guys struggle to make a living and usually have to do extremely long shows. I wish them all the luck in the world as there will always be a limited number of venues who can support them and they are liable to decrease rather than increase. There is also the problem of volume which with a live band is much more difficult to control which means soundproofed venues. Not many of those around.

I could go on for hours but would really like to finish with the point that there are many and complex issues as to why the entertainment industry in Tenerife is the way it is but in the end it all boils down to economics. If acts are prepared to work for "peanuts" (€50-€70 per slot) you will get the standard that you deserve. Too many bars are not really all that concerned about the quality of entertainment that they provide and then wonder why trade is dropping off. It takes a brave bar owner to put on an act peforming original material.

Also, just remember even the biggest acts in the world use backing tracks to support them when they perform "live". How else can they produce the sounds that take 6 months to mix in the studio.
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Quality entertainment is the key

[rob]

Another well written sensible post on the subject of music.
One of my reactions to this whole subject whereby 'artists' lament the standard of entertainment and berate the bar owners for not using good quality live acts is to wonder why these marvellous musicians don't sink their own money into a venue and only put on class acts?
Another question...Bearing in mind the low levels of salary for 'ordinary' people, is 50 to 70 Euros really that low for 45 mins work?

[bardofely]

I agree with Rob that this is a well-reasoned and "sensible" post, Bob, so thank you for your feedback on this thread.

[bardofely]

[Loaded]

[rob]

Agreed dividing by four doesn't make a fortune each but there are a lot of people lifting and carrying gear 8 hours a day for less money. Ask a building labourer or delivery driver

[Loaded]

yeah but it could be argued that anyone can lift heavy gear but not everyone can play an instrument - musicians don't get paid for carrying equipment they get paid for entertaining - labourers get paid for humping stuff around - and possibly drinking Dorada while wolf whistling passing ladies...

[rob]

true, entertainers don't ogle then? and good ones get the crumpet as well..... ...any chance of some guitar lessons ?

[Loaded]

[irishmusico]

Hey Rob
If you have a guitar I will give you lessons.

[rob]

great offer irishmusico thanks, but I have no time time, it was just the thought of all that crumpet chasing the musicians that prompted the comment, thanks again though

[irishmusico]

fair enough so.

[tenerifeie]

hi there was just looking and thought i would add my bit in i think your giving the bands a bit of a hard time! the first time i was in tenerife was when i was 14( a lot older now) lol i went to a pub that had a band in it they were great they never had a drummer! what does the tourist look for when they go on holiday to enjoy themself and to sing to the song lyrics( or the lyrics the think they know) lol dont get me wrong i love live music but when your on your holds you want a good time and to sing along! and as you said the so called live bands! dont get as much money but if they are happpy in what there doing and can get the crowd enjoying themselfs are they not working just as hard? the first time i was in tenerife i saw a band, that worked in a dive of a place but the pub was mobed! and everyone was enjoying themself, i have also been in pubs where the band are playing there own music and its been empty! as mere touris when i go on my hols i like to got to a place that has a band playing and listen to songs i know, and sometimes the drums on the keyboard sound better if you can get the crowd having a ball then thats half the batttle! and everyone is going on about aussie dont get me wrong i think he is amazing when i saw aussie for the first time it was in a band with drumms on the keyboard!! and if you pack the pubs is that not better than an empy pub? and trying to sing to songs if you dont know them? at the end of the day tenerife is a tourist island and everyone want to enjoy themself and cant wait to get back over instead of being stuck in the uk lol remember to enjoy life