During the weekend, I took my kids to see a Katy Perry impersonator at Penrith Panthers Leagues Club. (Don’t judge me.) After enduring 2.5 hours of annoyingly catchy bubblegum pop, I came to a surprising conclusion — not only were the lookalike’s lungs indistinguishable from the real thing, her concert was actually better in several key respects. The same can probably be said of most cover bands.
The biggest advantage is obviously price: with very few exceptions a cover band is markedly cheaper than its bona fide namesake. For example, the pseudo Katy Perry concert I attended cost around $15 per ticket. By contrast, the actual singer’s last Australian tour commanded prices of up to $250. I’d argue that the “real” concert wasn’t 15 times better.
Ironically, the lookalikes usually sound better too. This is because they play in much smaller venues, which results in less audio distortion and fewer technical mishaps. As an added bonus, the smaller venue also guarantees a better view of the performers; even if you’re in the very back row.
Another advantage is convenience: there’s no mad rush to get tickets and you won’t have to line up for hours at the front door or sit through crappy support acts. Instead, you can just plonk your arse down and enjoy the show.
Plus, these people throw themselves into the role with gusto. While “real” singers might have the occasional off night, you’ll never see a cover band give a half-arsed performance: after all, their livelihood is entirely dependent on performing live. (Naturally, there’s zero chance of them playing new/obscure stuff that nobody likes either.)
If we’re being entirely honest, a lot of these pop stars can’t actually sing anyway — so you’re watching a “fake” performance either way. At least the impersonator is cheap!
In conclusion, if your kids are bugging you to see a particular band or artist, do an online search to see if there are any tribute versions available. Not only will it cost you far less, your kids will probably have way more fun.
Comments
13 responses to “For A Cheaper And More Satisfying Night Out, See A Cover Band Instead”
I took my kids (3 & 5) to a Gwar tribute show.
It freaked them out.
I can see why when those who saw them at soundwave last year all got covered in copious amounts of fake blood.
You’re right. The lookalike’s lungs are pretty much indistinguishable from the real thing!
I’ll be here all week, folks.
Wait, so cover bands are quality, but support acts aren’t? Riiight.
That’s quite often the case, yes.
For pop shows maybe, quite often I find the support acts more fun than the main act. Except grandmaster flash, he was just a wanker.
Shame to hear that about Grandmaster Flash. When I saw him he was top notch!
He spent too much time telling the crowd they should be hyped, rather than just playing and hyping the crowd. There was no energy, the crowd got bored of it real quick, and that pissed him off pretty thoroughly.
That sounds terrible. Totally the opposite of when I saw him – he just played a great set and everybody loved it. I guess everyone has their good days and their bad.
I bet you’re one of those people who bought their kids Tyco instead of Lego, or The Corps instead of GI Joe!
Good financial sense to a point, but you need to know when to break it off, or next thing you know your kids are on to the whole act, and it’s all downhill from there.
Or you buy your kids all the brand-name, overpriced crap, take them to mega-venue concerts at 200 bucks a seat and they grow into spoilt, needy pretentious little shits.
Are you asking us not to judge you for going to a Katy Perry show or for going to Panthers? Because if its the latter… totally judging. (Panthers! Boo!)
The only good thing about Panthers is the Krispy Kreme shop outside. mmmm Krispy Kreme Donuts. /homer simpson gurgle.
how about you encourage people to go see some local original acts instead.
what a stupid article.