Danny Worsnop, the singer of Asking Alexandria, has voiced his opinion on the ongoing debate concerning bands and artists that heavily depend on pre-recorded tracks during their live shows.
In the current music landscape, there’s a noticeable trend of artists increasingly using pre-recorded tracks, drum triggers, and other technological tools to make their concerts sound more consistent. While this might make the performance seem more polished, critics argue it detracts from the authenticity of a live show. It’s important to note that such practices are not limited to pop music. Many rock artists have also integrated playback tracks into their live performances.
During an interview with Scott Penfold of Loaded Radio, Worsnop shared his views on this topic. In the conversation, transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET, he said, “It’s fine. It’s obviously become a really hot topic as of late. Listen to my band — a lot of the sounds and instrumentation you hear aren’t just from traditional instruments like a guitar, bass, or drum kit. Often, those aren’t even playing. If we didn’t use backing tracks and playback for those parts, you’d essentially have long moments of silence during a performance.”
Worsnop went on to emphasize the importance of these technological tools in creating a rich and atmospheric concert experience. “It allows you to play so much more and add so much more in terms of atmosphere and layers.”
He also addressed critics of the use of pre-recorded tracks, challenging them to apply the same standards to album recordings. “People who complain about it, I’d love for them to insist that nothing goes on an album that cannot be played live simultaneously. If your band has one guitarist, then you shouldn’t have both chords and a solo playing at the same time. You choose. And I don’t want to hear vocal harmonies if not all band members can sing them. Also, remove all the orchestra elements unless you’re planning to tour with an orchestra.”
Worsnop’s comments shine a light on the ongoing debate between authenticity and technological enhancement in live music performances.
Listen to the full interview below: