Would You Rather Your Favorite Band Become Famous or Stay Relatively Unknown?

Typhoon
Typhoon

I was talking to a friend tonight about one of his favorite bands. He’s followed this band for about 16 years, back when they played at tiny bars where no one paid attention to them…except him. He didn’t even have to pay a cover fee to see them play.

Now they’re famous. They have songs on TV shows and movies, and they sell out huge concerts within a few minutes of tickets going on sale. My friend recently tried to see them in concert, but the ticket were not only really expensive, but also only available through secondary vendors because they sold so quickly.

So here’s the question: Would you rather your favorite band–the one you discovered in some dive bar years ago–stay small so you can continue to appreciate them the way you always have, or would you prefer that they get famous so that millions of other people can enjoy their music, even if it means that it’s much harder for you to see them live now?

3 thoughts on “Would You Rather Your Favorite Band Become Famous or Stay Relatively Unknown?”

  1. Easy one, Jamey. Bands that “stay small” don’t last long. So if you enjoy their stuff, you’d better hope they blow up. There was a band from Lawrence, KS called The Anniversary when I was in college. They were unique, fantastic, and niche. And they’re long gone.

    Reply
    • Great point. I heard that happened to a band called Fallen Flag too.

      For me, I agree for the most part. In truth, I would like my favorite bands to have above-average success. Like, there are very few bands I want to see at a giant arena or concert venue, but if a band reaches Pageant-level success (3,000 seats?), that’s perfect.

      Reply
  2. IDK, I guess I look at this question differently than most. If I value something it probably is more than just it’s offering. For instance, a young man who I considered an adjunct son became a very successful artist. He has moved beyond our circles and really made something of himself. In his case, this was good for him as a person so my loss is his gain. I will always choose that. If my favorite band became better, happier people because they realized their dreams, then I would be overwhelmingly happy for them and that would eclipse expensive tickets or lack of accessibility. A band is made up of people. People with dreams and flaws. If through hard work and a bit of fortune, they moved beyond my reach, I would be nothing but happy for them.

    Reply

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