General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

Personally speaking - and I am quite sure that I am going to be verbally mobbed for saying the following - but I really see no reason in paying a lot of money to watch a band trying to be like another band. If the entrance price would be a few pounds, then I suppose it would be more acceptable. But, some of these tribute bands are charging around twenty pounds entrance fee: tonight's tribute band is charging fourteen pounds.
Most good musicians can play other people's music, especially as many famous songs aren't too difficult to play; with the addition of today's technology, sounds can be greatly enhanced and with some sounds even being added.
For me, this relatively new trend of being a tribute band and doing the circuit is just a way of trying to make a 'quick buck'.
There are many excellent musicians playing cover versions at 'The Unity Club' in Standish, with some of the musicians being original members of the band which released the record back in the 1960s/70s/80s - and! the entrance price is 'ONE POUND'.
It can be clearly noticed, that many people today are looking back on their youth with feelings of great positiveness and when it comes down to music, hearing that certain song again may fill that person with nostalgia. But, do we really want our music scene filled with tribute bands and cover versions?
Of course, we have had bands playing cover versions for decades; once upon a time, you could visit any one of the many social clubs in the vicinity of Wigan and watch a band playing cover versions, with many of these bands being excellent at what they did, such as: Winston, Rainbow Cottage, Copper Kettle... But, they were there to partly entertain an audience and that audience had not paid a costly sum to enter the club.
Our music industry is in a mess and some of our music scene only adds to this mess. There is a staleness and blandness in what we are being fed. Much of our music scene has not moved in fifteen years and can we honestly put our finger on the style of music of today.
There are many decent bands (with very good musicians) doing original music and trying to break into the music industry. For me, these are the bands to watch and they certainly need our support!