Introduction
Music is one of the unique performing arts due to the way it has evolved. Styles and melodies considered unfit in one era are displayed prominently in another. The music contains many different styles and techniques that people perceive differently. The analysis presented below is based on the critical review and assessment of performances of two different artists doing different genres of music, Tkay Maidza and Coldplay.
Tkay Maidza Performance
In this case, the live performance critique follows Tkay Maidza playing a live concert. The singer played 24k, You Sad, My Flower and Shaken, all of which were taken from her last Year Was Weird Volume three album. Maidza is an Australian artist noted for experimenting with several genres without being overly committed to any of them. Her album was launched in 2018 and paved the way for a fresher and more dedicated lane, as well as a more versatile flow of music. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Australia, her performance has garnered her comparisons to several known singers, like M.I.A., with most of her tracks making great impressions on the charts.
Her performance in this live show took place in an intimate outdoor setting in a back alley in Adelaide with only a few people. The stage was elegantly decorated with brilliant lights and with red carpet. The artist, who looked stunning in black and white suits and various musical outfits, shook the auditorium and kept the crowd waiting for the performance. Her drummer and a bass guitarist who also played a synthesizer were the only instruments mentioned. The song was composed as an experimental take on new age hip hop, with a light-speed flow and an emphasis on integrating Afro-pop elements evocative of her African heritage. It is experimental because the artist’s choice of chorus incorporates elements of hip-hop and dreamy R.N.B. harmonies, making the show a compelling listen. The primary focus is on how she can incorporate hip-hop beats into afro-pop songs while keeping rapping on the rhythm.
Listening to Maidza’s performance of all four songs, it is evident that the composer concentrates on the style of Afro-pop combined with hip-hop. The speed of the songs played is fast, in keeping with the goal of motivating people to dance to the music. Nonetheless, the artist’s ability to blend her rap talents, her voice in singing, and the short melody of her songs in creating a new kind of hybrid genre are astounding. The music presented has a lot in common with the 90s hip-house intensity music that goes along with flashing lights and voguing. The emphasis is not on the words or the tales but on her flow, which gives her music a smooth and harmonious vibe.
Her rapping style does not clash with the beat, giving the song some strength to engage the audience in the sensation of dance incorporated into the melody. The drum and the tempo it adopts are the main accompaniments in her song performances. It is more African since African music incorporates drums into the construction of its innovative beats. Only one tempo followed does not enable people to conceal their emotions, so they are driven to the rhythm and pushed to dance. The tune in her voice gives the whole show a hip-hop flavor, as highlighted in the song You Sad. Her total performance was decided by both the drum beat and her voice, which made the experience distinct and entertaining.
Coldplay Performance
The second live-streamed show involves Coldplay’s live concert performance in Germany at the Olympic stadium, entitled Coldplay live at Pro7 i. Since its inception in 1996, Coldplay has grown into one of the world’s most popular acts. It has produced several top hits, including Yellow, Fix You, Viva La Vida, Hymn For The Weekend, Orphans, and, most recently, Higher Power. It includes a thorough selection of songs that might be performed live to get the crowd on their feet. Higher Power, Clocks, Fix You, Viva la Vida, and Coloratura are among the tracks included. The songs for the musical performance were chosen to put the crowd in a joyful atmosphere since they included various rock anthems with people hopping and singing along throughout the performance. This is linked with the type of music adopted by Coldplay, which has earned them acclaim throughout the years.
Alternatively, the songs they played symbolize their attempts to step out of their comfort zone and involve their audience in a new sort of music that claims to cure the soul, despite the catastrophic consequences of the epidemic. The surroundings, on the other hand, add to the character of the show’s importance. The band picked the area since it wanted to create its own “exciting” ambiance owing to the cheerful overtones of the songs performed in their performance. Due to the live performance, the band’s musical focus has evolved.
The focus of the performance, with only the four band members and their instruments visible, is on the band’s reputation for fostering a distinctively upbeat environment. This is audible even in the song selection, which includes some of their most outstanding work from the previous three years. The band’s entire performance is astounding, given the acoustic caliber needed to execute songs like Viva la Vida. The songs played throughout the concert had energetic melodies and a stronger emphasis on crowd interaction. This was evident in how the crowd joined in and danced to the tunes.
On the other hand, the tone was more exuberant, as the pace and performance did emphasize the band’s joyful and party vibe, which has become something of a calling card. The show, in this case, was not centered on words because they added nothing to the story; it was all about making sure the audience had a good time. Thus, the lead vocalist continued reaching out to them and engaging them. The lively melodic movements that create a party ambiance inside the songs generate remarkable stability, as the main accompaniment is exclusively the band and their instruments. For instance, in the performance of Fix You, one cannot but be entranced by the crowd’s indulgence, the powerful emotional undertone of the song, and the lead singer’s voice. The rhythmic connotation in some songs elevates it to an intense sensation where everybody has to be on their feet throughout the performance.
Comparing the two gatherings, including the music performed, demonstrates a significant variance in genre ideas but parallels in enthusiasm and excess. Tkay Maidza’s performance leans more toward afro-pop and hip-hop sounds. In contrast, Coldplay’s performance may be classified as indie-rock due to the different inspirations utilized in creating the sounds. Both artists are experimenting with producing new types of music, which entails moving outside of their comfort zones, with Coldplay’s performance differing from what one hears on streaming music.
Given that these events took place just after the pandemic and people were still more cautious about their health, there were no crowds present for Maidza’s performance, which did not upset the artist. Tkay Maidza’s performance setting matched the music style since the venue was an alley, which gave the music an energetic street atmosphere. Coldplay, on the other hand, recorded their performance in front of a live audience that followed their every move and sang along with them. It seems challenging to perform in front of a crowd since the attention is not only on the artist but also on the audience’s reaction.
I did notice that atmosphere is essential in generating a sense of the music when evaluating the sensation of live-streamed music to that of a live concert. The environment chosen for the performance of this piece creates this ambiance. Maidza’s show must include the street aspect that she performs to sell the notion of afro-pop. Similarly, Coldplay’s presentation of their songs must coordinate with the location. In both situations, the venue matches the target audience. The social context of each performance is affected by the sort of music played, as stated in Coldplay’s performance, which was designed to engage the audience at the location.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the case above has presented an analysis of two live musical events, performances by both Tkay Maidza and Coldplay. In both shows, background information has been provided pertaining to the composers, where it was composed, and the reasons behind it. Analysis has been made based on the critical reviews upon which comparisons between the two events have been made. Significant variance has been observed between the two in term of genre ideas.