"Live" performances aren't live anymore.

Remember the days when going to see your favorite artist perform live was a privilege? Something about actually seeing the music you loved and listened to daily come to life in front of your eyes was—magical. It also proved a lot. It proved that, hey, these people really do play their own instruments, or, wow, this person really can sing. It used to be that the artists lived for the live performance. They got energy, pride and a sense of accomplishment from being cheered on by their audience. That sense of approval seemed to make it all worth while.

Times have certainly changed since the days of doo-wop and soul. You have artists who no longer stick to the normal foot shuffle and arm movements, but are more regularly doing back flips and over-complicated dance choreography. Chris Brown, Omarion, Ciara and even Beyonce may have a very difficult time singing while doing all of that. Even if they tried, would we really want them to? Would it sound good? Probably not.

Although the previous issue is more than understandable, I know I miss real live performances. Especially when there is no reason in the world for the artist to be lip-syncying. For instance, I was watching some new year’s eve special on television (I don’t remember the name, sorry) and featured a number of special guests including Robin Thicke, Solange, Ne-Yo, Fall Out Boy, and others. It didn’t take me very long to notice that half of them were lip-syncing… And this wasn’t a full-out concert complete with fireworks and smoke machines, but your basic mic stand and band kind of thing—where you pretty much just stood there and did your thing. The need for mouthing the words over a track wasn’t clear.

Furthermore, I saw another program on television that same night where a noted female vocal artist was lip-syncing as well. I won’t mention her name, but trust me.. She can sing with the best of them. So why she was standing there trying her best to make faces like she was singing her heart out like we couldn’t tell the real situation, I don’t know.

Artists: we, the fans want to see you! We love and appreciate your craft and we are supporting you by buying these concert tickets. You’re letting us down when we don’t get the full effect. I did not intend on paying to see a music video… I could listen to the CD at home! You’re truly defeating the purpose and meaning of a live show. As a singer, I know how tough singing and dancing at the same time can be. It's not easy! But I find it important for me and also to the people watching to try my very best, and practice is what it takes. So, whenever possible, I think it would be a real treat if you gave us just that. A LiVe performance.

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhYwZePFY7o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBceuTV0tW4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbw2q0SBSak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrbcFwGGEZk