(-- The Beacon)
By Guest Commentary
As a music lover, I like watching artists perform whether it is watching an award show on TV or in person at a concert. I usually enjoy watching artists go all out, wearing eccentric, fun outfits, but lately I feel artists have taken it too far. An artist's image is meant to send a message to their audience, right?
Well if this is true, I'm still confused as to what message Lady Gaga was sending when she entered the Grammys in an egg or why Cee Lo Green was wearing that ridiculous peacock warrior outfit while performing "Forget You."
Nearly a month ago I tuned in to the VMA's and was once again taken back by Nicki Minaj's outfit – it looked like she piled a bunch of trash on herself. Moreover, why Katy Perry thought wearing a block on her head was an attractive or meaningful look completely escapes me. Don't get me started on Jo Calderone.
I'm not saying artists shouldn't be creative or dress up, but lately I feel artists have become more focused on their image than on their ability to sing.
Each of the above artists is talented, and I enjoy their fun music, but sometimes their outfits take away from their music because I spend my time hating their costumes rather than enjoying their performance. And that's the other problem – sometimes I wish musicians viewed their craft as less of a performance and more of an art.
In the 1960s, concerts consisted of talented people on stage, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, singing their hearts out about meaningful things. Somehow Lady Gaga ripping off Madonna's music while emerging from an egg pales by comparison.
I have become so annoyed with Lady Gaga's outrageous outfits that I have ultimately decided to only listen to her music, rather than watch her perform.
Currently, Adele has emerged as one of my favorite artists because she has one of the most beautiful, soulful voices I have ever heard and her talent speaks for itself. When I compare Lady Gaga to Adele, I wonder why some artists today feel the need to have such extreme images and whether or not it is because they feel their singing does not suffice or is lacking in some shape or form or substance.
I understand images draw audiences in and make concerts fun, but Lady Gaga sitting in an egg or being covered in meat only causes me to question her sanity.
Before any of you jump out of your seats and remind me that she was making a statement about gay rights – stop – I know this much. I just wish she was more willing to put the message before the spectacle. Why do so many cows have to die for her to encourage us to be more tolerant?
I recognize the artists above are actually talented to varying degrees, which is more than I can say for other artists such as Ke$ha who not only lacks talent, but image as well (unless she thinks clothing herself in glitter and trash bags suffices).
I just wish more artists would focus a little more on their product and a little less on its packaging.
