Halsey was told by a fan to stop talking and just play. Just read it in news.
I like Halsey’s response:
What value do you put on an Artistic Perspective?
Do you ever think about an artistic perspective? I think about it a lot. The reason is because the more outside the box I get, the more I can bring home to the box to play with and look at.
Musicians have a right to talk because they think differently and they’ve earned a spot in front of a mic. The audience has a choice on whether or not to stay, but the musician actually owes the audience what’s on their mind. They’ve likely thought about it to be where they’re at. Even if they haven’t, they’re probably decent at thinking and can give me something to wonder about.
Shut up and play.
I sure hate being told to shut up and play. You may feel like your purchase of a ticket entitles you to your favorite song, but it’s never worked that way. It’s only in your head. When you buy a ticket, you’re supporting getting out and being social with music or art involved. That’s a bettering experience. Talking is fine there. Musicians aren’t jukeboxes, they’re voices folks identify with. Let them speak.
The goal for me at shows.
The goal is not to hear your favorite song at a show. Sorry to say. It is to be better walking out than when you walked in. It’s fine if some talking went with that. It could even be part of it.
(Always a dude.)
Let’s not skip over the fact it was a man (always a dude) telling a woman to shut up. How cliche. Folks, you’re just an idiot if you can’t listen to smart women speak. Own it. Be it. Learn something, preferably from women. You can be better. It takes work at learning.
Stage persona and online persona.. ha.
I’ve been told to shut up and play online but not really on stage. I don’t talk much. Keri has to remind or prompt me. Just doesn’t occur to me to speak. But that doesn’t mean I’m right. It’s just how I am.
Online I’m a wordy bitch though. Haha.
They will think of anything.
I’ve been called all sorts of names about my weight, how my music sucks, how stupid I am, on and on, even former colleagues and collaborators have taken super stodgy stances on my mental health. Isolating me. “You’d be more successful if not for your mental health,” a longtime colleague recently told me. Nice to know he feels that way. Haven’t talked since. It used to really bother me, kinda’ fun at the moment, like, if it’s a slow news day.
The good news.
Musicians, do not be discouraged. I’ve come to discover we don’t need these dudes anyway. In fact, returning the favor on the isolation bit can feel great.👍 All it takes is pointing out how ridiculous they are in front of folks, much like they tried to do to you. Ignoring them works, but doesn’t drive a point home. I’ve come to realize it’s an education moment. Doesn’t have to be a pleasant for them, but it can damn sure be fun for you.
Remember: If they put you in front of a mic and don’t want to hear you talk that is their problem.
Return home.