LIVE PERFORMANCES: EARNING YOUR FEE

There is an old adage in the business world; “treat all people with respect as you climb the ladder of success, because you will see the same people as you revert down that same ladder”. I would suggest that Flo Rida and Meatloaf pay strict attention to this phrase.

Flo Rida [one assumes that he originally hails from Florida] appears to be a generic rap performer who has struck it lucky and found a massive global audience. In isolation this is fine and what every performer strives to achieve, however success comes with responsibilities in order to maintain the success. Today’s breed of music superstars are invariably challenged by the prospect of “live performances”, and it would appear that Flo Rida is the latest victim of this so-called curse.

Recent media reports indicate that Flo Rida failed to “perform” at 2 concerts in Sydney during his Australian tour in October. This is despite the fact that Flo Rida’s performance fee had been paid in full upfront and all gratuitous expenses were also absorbed by the concert promoter. The irony lay in the fact that Flo Rida was actually present at the venue of 1 of the aborted concerts, however he was deemed to be “unfit to perform”.

This media release can be interpreted in any manner as one deems to be appropriate; this being said the underlying facts remain in focus for all public performers. If you are going to accept your loyal audience’s money, you need to earn your keep!!

Which brings us to Meatloaf…

Meatloaf is a rock God, however he is 30 years past his prime. His legend is earned by way of compelling live performances, although the intensity of his act saw his voice blown out many years ago. Meatloaf was contracted to perform at the Grand Final of the Australian Football League in Melbourne in early October for circa 20 minutes for a reputed fee of $150,000.00. The warning bells should have been heard from the outset…

Granted that Meatloaf performed to a backing tape & without a sound check, his live vocal performance was appalling; some might say the worst singing effort ever by an international act in Australia. Upon leaving Australia, Meatloaf was quoted in the media as stating that the Australian Football League officials were “jerks”. Meatloaf won’t be made welcome in Australia ever again, and he should not have accepted his performance fee if he wasn’t comfortable in performing at the time.

In both cases, Flo Rida and Meatloaf may actually sell a few additional CDs/ mp3s on the back of the self-inflicted negative publicity. After all is said and done, what is more important in this case? Are both artists viewed as being “entertainers” or “musicians”? Whilst neither is technically a “musician”, can either be defined as an “entertainer” if they are incapable of entertaining?