I have received numerous email alerts from several theatre's some big and some small.

However it's loaded with tribute acts, comedians and very little proper bands.

I remember when tribute bands were in the clubs, bars and fundraising/community events.

I don't mind the odd tribute band. Some bands did have known members or played as touring members for famous bands. However, it's page after page after page of tribute/cover bands.

I don't think that music is dead, particularly after the massive tour success of Taylor Swift. Its not my bag, but I'm sure it was a spectacular show. I couldn't name more than one Taylor Swift track (shake it up). Music now is dominated by solo performers. Taylor, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran. I think this is because it is easier to promote a solo act on instagram etc, and music can be made by one person on a computer. With regard to more local music, I think people don't have the patience now to listen to new music, they just want to hear someone playing songs that they already know via tribute acts. I personally can't stand tribute acts. I can't think of anything worse than spending your life pretending to be someone else. That said I quite enjoyed From the Jam, who are a cross between a tribute act and a proper band, as they have one original member (Bruce Foxton). They previously had both Bruce and the drummer Rick Butler, and Bjorn Again look like good fun.

robbiex wrote:
I don't think that music is dead, particularly after the massive tour success of Taylor Swift. Its not my bag, but I'm sure it was a spectacular show. I couldn't name more than one Taylor Swift track (shake it up). Music now is dominated by solo performers. Taylor, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran. I think this is because it is easier to promote a solo act on instagram etc, and music can be made by one person on a computer. With regard to more local music, I think people don't have the patience now to listen to new music, they just want to hear someone playing songs that they already know via tribute acts. I personally can't stand tribute acts. I can't think of anything worse than spending your life pretending to be someone else. That said I quite enjoyed From the Jam, who are a cross between a tribute act and a proper band, as they have one original member (Bruce Foxton). They previously had both Bruce and the drummer Rick Butler, and Bjorn Again look like good fun.

I go record shops when I can to see what's around but I keep hearing 80s rock and metal over the shop floor. Some I didn't like even back then. HMV need to bring back the listening booth where you scanned a barcode and the album played over the headsets. I have never heard a bad thing from From The Jam, I am just not a fan.

Kast Off Kinks is the same. It's Mick Avory with old touring or session Kinks members. The tickets are cheap and it's still cheaper than the local pub for a night out.

Sheeran is nice enough lad but his music bores me, I did ask my daughters if they were fans they both pretended to throw up in the car.

When I hired tribute acts for a charity fundraiser they always managed to extract more money from the patrons for the chairty.

I even see adverts for tribute/cover events for festivals but like most things, the promoters and organisers make their money at the beer tents and food. Then again if I really wanted to, I could see most the tribute bands throughout the year and at more rip off prices.

I find it cringey that a lot of UK cover/tribute bands covering country and Americana. This will be under names like Sounds of Nashville, One Night In Nashville or even Route 66.


In the West Midlands I have lost count how many Dua Lipa posters I saw on digital billboards, buses, trams and taxis. I agree she is marketable but I can't think of one song by her. People love Dolly Parton but these people only have her hits under numerous titles or budget Best Of CDs.

Some interesting articles.

A reader from the Independent wrote this

I personally hate them. As an aspiring musician writing my own original material its getting harder to get gigs because bars prefer to put tributes on knowing they'll get a guaranteed audience.
Its easy to get your music out there these days but live music is where its at for me. No wonder guitar bands are dying out.
There is a market for them of course but they are sadly taking over.


www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment...pening-b2531347.html

faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-rising-popularity-of-tribute-acts/



I can remember when local bands, would be selling or give out their CDs from. They would book the town halls and play their own songs.

Since lockdown there has been several venues near me that have not reopened and there are no plans to either. I wouldn't say tribute bands are always cheap nor cheerful. Some have been very good for what they do and some have been truly awful.

I know for a fact that Hotter Than Hell, Poizon and Rumours are endorsed by the offical bands and have the bands permission to use likeness of the logos etc. (I don't rate Hotter Than Hell at all, I was dragged to see them) Bon Jovi tributes suck also.

The best Genesis tributes that are worth seeing IMHO if you like their early stuff are Book of Genesis and Musical Box.

G2 are not bad either. Chris Cawte does sing No Son Of Mine better than Collins, it's more raw and emotional.

beneathadesertsky.com/2021/06/10/are-tri...-bands-worth-seeing/

A lot of tribute bands are worth seeing but you need to be open minded.

Brett Micheals seems to the Poison tribute bands.

www.tapesearch.com/episode/bret-michaels/f9pA4icxBHR4RJemZRRsbZ