Music in the 21st Century: Will Robots Rule?
Music has never been just about music for fans. The committed fan wants the whole package, and that's something a digital download can't really compete with - yet. So, how will music be listened to fifty years hence?
Catching snatches of the Black Eyed Peas at the 2011 Super Bowl was proof of just what an amazing spectacle a live music show can be. However impressive technology becomes in the future, it would seem impossible that it would be able to replicate, never mind surpass, the buzz of a great live event.
Holographic Worship
Will music stars of the future just be accessible through holographic images? Elvis and the Beatles brought back to life by wizardry currently beyond our ken. The ability to interview our favorite music stars from the comfort of our home via a television or computer screen. In a virtual way, of course. Ask Jimi Hendrix for tips on playing the guitar with dentures perhaps.
The artificial world may rule in the music industry. So no more sweaty kisses from Bono, for star struck female fans, as at Live Aid in '85. No more stadium rock as everything becomes virtual. Will music spawn a generation of Britney Spears lookalikes, but with exquisitely airbrushed lives. Perfect women singers, but with no fading looks for tabloid hacks to smirk at. Saccharine Muzak from saccharine people.
The antics of many of music's personalities are tiresome, but the alternative may be worse. Music can be gentle and sweet, but we also need the blood and guts. Manic Street Preachers lost soul guitarist Richey Edwards once carved the message "4 REAL" in his own arm with a razor blade. A penny for the thoughts of music journalist Steve Lamacq, who was interviewing him at the time. Richey's actions were very extreme, but I could see the point that he was making.
Robot Rock
Maybe human performers will become too problematic for the record industry to deal with. Automatons will be so perfect and compliant that they will be a record company's dream. No more temper tantrums and moaning about contracts, or about artistic integrity being undermined.
A human singer could be put in the mix now and again just to make things a touch more interesting. Though next to a perfect robot they'll seem more flawed and could become a figure of fun. The great singers of the past could be viewed in a different and more negative light.
Maybe the audience will be made up of robots, too. But will a robot be able to write songs which will move us to tears? That is where the old timers can claw back some lost ground. Emotion.
Will there be robotic versions of American Idol? Though some might say that would be an improvement. Heartthrob robots? Who knows?
YouTube has already given opportunities to anyone who knows how to put a video together, regardless of musical talent. Twenty years ago that just seemed inconceivable. What the future holds is anybody's guess, but let's just keep it real, eh?
Sources
The Guardian: The last time I saw Richey
Personal Knowledge
Published by Paul Rance
Paul Rance is the co-founder, with Andrew Bruce, of small UK publishing company, Peace & Freedom Press, which began publishing in 1985. Paul founded the booksmusicfilmstv.com website in 2005. View profile
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16 Comments
Post a CommentYou're absolutely right about the human element.
It seems to be headed that way. Super article.
Very cool ideas, actually, although holograms give me migraines.
I like the idea of having my own holographic studio in my house to watch my favorite bands perform. The designers would have to make them appear more 3-dimensional than ghostly though – for me to appreciate them more.
I can't picture a robot live on stage...
I think we'll see synthetic actors before singers, but the day is coming. Film is almost at a place where they do not need real actors anymore.
A lot of today's singers are so interchangeable, they do seem like robots.
Neat -- Great article. : )
Paul, I hope it never truly comes to this but the way the world is turning these days, it's possible. Sad, isn't it? I'd miss those "sweaty kisses" from band members - not that I ever got any anyway :) cheers
Fascinating insight! I certainlky hope it doesn't come to this for the future of music. Can you imagaine a world of musicians created by game programmers? Very Scary to me!