Phil Beer

Very interesting reading the diversity of what musicians feel about being broadcast without their consent or knowledge. For many years now I've been of the opinion that youtube IS the actual marketplace for what I/We do.

Over the last six years I've been doing an increasing number of solo shows but most people know me from playing in a band context and not as a solo performer. You can send all the CD's and glossy promo gear on the planet to a promoter/venue etc but none of it will ultimately persuade anyone who doesn't know anything about you in this context to put you on.

Over the last 20 years or so, a huge amount of youtube material has accrued. In the last two years, I've generated some of it but its mostly done by random contributors. It can be very good quality or dreadful but the point is, I think, that it doesn't actually matter. The onus is on me do do the best gig I can on a nightly basis no matter what the circumstances are. I also now enjoy making the little films I contribute. In a world where the gig is the most important factor. (I firmly believe that. You can make all the albums you want but they are only an adjunct to the live performance).

I was just at the Shepley festival last weekend where two people (both known to me) were filming with fairly good equipment. One of these guys always asks politely. The idea of trying to control content and to therefore perhaps generate an inaccurate view of oneself starts to seem silly to me. Anyone who is considering booking me for a gig but is not absolutely sure only has to google the name, pick a couple of films and get a truthful, accurate picture.

I only bring this up because I've just read a blog from a veteran muso whose tirade against posting of content seems to have become a crusade and I feel this person is just missing the point. It would be interesting to know if anyone thinks the same as me or is for controlling content. I repeat once more, as far as I'm concerned, this is the marketplace for what we do.
The only proviso I would put on this is that I tend to agree that lots of folks filming away at a concert with bright screens can be annoying and intrusive to other people and that a degree of thought should go into it. I don't think its as bad however as people indiscriminately using flash for still work. That is annoying both to me and the audience.