Back when I was a teen in the 80's, I remember watching live performances from Janet Jackson and Madonna and all of the backup dancers they always used, and I thought: "this is a passing phase. People will tire of what is essentially the exact same routine, song after song, tour after tour."

Inevitably, there's always the same tired, played-out crap: At some point chairs come out, at another ropes come down etc.

Mostly, I chalked this up to the fact that without a large troupe of dancers, there would be little or nothing to distract you from the fact that these artists are largely studio creations. Nothing wrong with that..I liked many Madonna and JJ songs...but live, no way. It's all lip synching, and forget about playing an instrument, because they either don't or can't play well enough to do so in front of a crowd.

It's amazing to me that, 25 years or so on, the same tired choreography with utterly interchangable groups of backup dancers still exists in live concerts.

Admittedly, having been a huge Prince fan since 1999, I was spoiled. Here was a guy who didn't need any backup dancers for the Purple Rain tour- he was the dancer. And the lead guitar player. And occasionally, the keyboard player. And after tearing through a 10 minute version of Baby I'm A Star near the end of a 2 hour show, he still didn't need to lip synch. He put every other "pop" performer to shame. And one female dancer was all that was needed for the Sign O the Times and Lovesexy tours.

Even today, when you have a really great group that is talented- I mean real musical and vocal talent- I'm thinking of the Brand New Heavies (I saw them live a few years ago and loved them) or Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, there are no cliched troupes in the background. That's because there's too much talent vocally and musically. You don't need distratcing from the lack of it, you want to savor the fullness of it. N'dea Davenport doesn't need a dozen people whirling around her to no effect- she is the effect! She commands the stage on her own- no help required, thanks. Which, by the way, is another reason I love Adele. She just comes out with that voice and knocks it out of the park. Ever notice how the lip-synchers never come down with laryngitis?

I won't ever see a show where I know the "artist" will be surrounded with a dance troup. I was bored to death with that by the end of the 80's. Get a real band together, rehearse organically, and actually sing. Otherwise, you're just a music video come to life, and I haven't cared about those for about 12 years, either.

I think backup dancers are always gonna be around. And I don't have a problem with that as long as the choreography isn't shitty lmao.

Good points on the topic.

I have no problem when the compliment the the show. What I do have a problem with is when they become the some. Ala Madonna and Cher's shows.

Don't watch them. Problem solved.

Well, most of them are performing to memorex, so without a band on stage... no dancers looks like this:

sosgemini said:

I have no problem when the compliment the the show. What I do have a problem with is when they become the some. Ala Madonna and Cher's shows.

Exactly, backup dancers are cool, but that's what they are: BACKUP dancers. They're part of the show but when they become the main part of the show....

They are a compensation tactic for artists who have a lot to compensate for.

If it's not the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe or NY Ballet or something other than......I just keep it moving. Back up dancers are ok i do LOVE the arts but at time they are not that entertaining when they are dropping it like its hot or some sh*t. Give me good lines and technique and show me you had some DAMN GOOD TRAINING from a valid dance instructor or DEBBIE ALLEN....Then we talk. lol

midnightmover said:

They are a compensation tactic for artists who have a lot to compensate for.

When they are performing to a DANCE track (even if you add a band to it, I'm sure there are some sequenced bits being played back), it makes sense to have more than one person on stage to look at.

See Shania solo vid.

Oh no! You got your dance in my music!

HohnerCatcher said:

Well, most of them are performing to memorex, so without a band on stage... no dancers looks like this:

holy shit that was embarrassing to watch

HohnerCatcher said:

midnightmover said:

They are a compensation tactic for artists who have a lot to compensate for.

When they are performing to a DANCE track (even if you add a band to it, I'm sure there are some sequenced bits being played back), it makes sense to have more than one person on stage to look at.

See Shania solo vid.

It makes sense if the artist doesn't have the charisma. In that case it's far easier to write a cheque and buy yourself the razzle-dazzle you don't have. Most of the audience won't know the difference.

By using the example of Shania Twain you prove my point for me. Nice lady, utterly bland performer.