This is my view on this year's BIT Live, and I think it probably represents the feeling of the vast majority of people who love C64 games and especially its music, people who wouldn't have known such an event as BIT Lives even took place, unless they happened to read about it in the news sections of a computer magazine they read, or come across the info by sheer fluke, as I did, on the Internet. So I'm talking about the many thousands of potential BIT Live audience members 'out there' who might possibly come to a BIT Live if only they:
a) knew about it.
-Tell EVERY computer magazine, news paper, etc of any future BIT Live events! And tell them in good time, and tell them repeatedly! Perhaps you do this already thought, if so, cool
-
b) read on forums such as this that it was 'really cool and a must come to event!'
So...
I almost didn't come to this year's BIT Live, this is because I don't really 'know' anyone there, I'm not involved in the 'scene' in any way (even though I do do some C64 remixes but I don't publish them), and I was extremely busy at the time with work bull. Also other than Benn, I thought no one was coming that I would want to see play live, as in, none of the actual C64 composers of old were gonna be there, this may well be inaccurate, but if so then it's telling that I didn't know that, ie it wasn't 'advertised' enough or something. In fact I bought my ticket thinking that Rob Hubbard and Martin Galway (who I've since found out doesn't 'play' as such, d'oh) were going to be playing, and when I found out they weren't, I thought I wouldn't bother coming but as I had the ticket anyway, I thought I might as well, and I even tried to help out to get those people back!<G> Desperate measures for a desperate man indeed, I hear u cry.
Anyway, I did come, I had to leave early, right before Stuck In Da'80's (I think I got their name right?) came on, ie the last band I saw was Visa Roster). I didn't leave early because I didn't like it, although the friend I told about the gig and brought with me wanted to leave because "this is crap mate", but I told him to shut the f*** up. Though I did agree with him on the drinks prices, SHEESH!<G> I had to leave early as I had to go pick my lady up from the hospital, otherwise I would have stayed for the whole thing.
The gig was amazing, and the 'best' band, though that's a kinda dumb thing to say but I'll say it anyway, was Visa Roster, but obviously I missed all the bands after that so I can't comment there. I'd have paid a ticket to see Visa Roster alone! I'm completely besotted with their music now! I'd only ever heard of them once, one track, before the gig, and seeing them live and buying their two CDs there, was just amazing, I can't wait to see them again! Ben also was spectacular, truly an insane person (in a good way), I love him so even though I've never met the guy. Also the whole gig was really funny, and lots of kind of 'in jokes' and stuff, which made the night really entertaining and made up some for the shortcomings of the musical quality.
The format of the thing was 'different' from the Brighton format, and I thought the format was cool, once I realised 'ok this is a gig'. Coz when I first walked in, and I saw no computers all about the place, and no people milling around talking/dancing/making asses of themselves, a-la Brighton Bit Live, I thought 'oh no why did they do this format! It sux!' But that feeling dissipated quickly, once the music started.
Most of the music (that I saw) was 'crap'. Again, define good/bad, but what I mean is, you have to be a fan of the 'scene' to 'get it'. Other wise the music is just mediocre cheesy pub band type, and not worth actually paying to see. But again, not Visa Roster, they were absolutely amazing on so many levels, and again I can't comment on who came after.
My wish list for future BIT Lives, I know most of this is restricted by costs, but it would be:
-Have a place with some C64's etc set up, where people can mill around and chat.
-The 'interval' music was better than the music music<EG>, we need some remixers playing live, with synths etc, not just 'pub rock band does C64 remixed' stuff.
-Somehow convince Martin/Rob/Ben/etc to do a set for the next BIT Live!
I know I'm going to be flamed into dust now, but I can tell you that it is possible to get thousands of people into a BIT Live gig, I KNOW it! But stuff I've said above needs to be disseminated and meditated on. HOWEVER, having said all that 'in a perfect world' stuff above, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having BIT Live as a small affair, for the 'scene' people and the most hardened of geeky fans, that is cool, and that is fine, and I would still show up occasionally probably. But if one wanted to go for the whole enchilada, the complete 9 yards so to speak, I think it could be done, but I know this takes vast monies and vast man days.
:-/
Have I been harsh above? Maybe, but, it's important to give an honest opinion here, people are being flamed for doing so, this is bad! A musician in the audience is well qualified to make constructive comments, things to take on board and consider for the next gig, to up the ante, notch it up, make it better, etc, where as a musician on the stage isn't the best person to ask<EG> Sorry Ben, but you know it's true. This is because they will often say 'it was amazing' as they're buzzing on the vibe and ego, one needs to 'check the mix' so to speak, from the audience’s point of view, that's why they put the mixing desk there. Needless to say I'm speaking metaphorically here, I don't mean the ACTAL technical sound quality of the gig, which was pretty good, so no complaints there. Though Ben your flute vol was too low. And you need a feedback interceptor on the mic lines.
Thanx again to Chris and co for throwing an event which was one of the highlights of my year!
I'm coming to the next one, no matter what country it's in!
