A Comedian vs a Musician
I’ve been thinking about this difference about an audience’s expectations for a comedian vs a musician/songwriter.
If I attend a comic’s show for a second time, I am hoping to hear new material; but when I go to see a band for a second time, I’m hoping to hear my favorite song again. I want something new to make me laugh; but I want to hear a melody I recognize.
Sure, this is a simplification, but there seems to be a different shelf life for a live joke vs. a live song.
Louis CK shared how his career evolved when he decided to start over fresh with new material each year, forcing himself to go deeper into his writing, a challenge that George Carlin embraced in the 90s.
This is a blessing and a curse for us songwriters. The one hit wonders must be saddened to have to perform a song continually every show to satisfy their audience; but the songwriter is blessed to be able to rely on their standards, their favorites.
What would happen if the songwriter started over every year, continually rewriting the setlist? Would the audience embrace new material, the prolific writer; or would we miss the familiar?
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