7 reasons why Music Live rocks!

MusicRadar reports from the 2008 show in Birmingham

Chris Vinnicombe, Sat 8 Nov 2008, 3:51 pm UTC

Pop over to the MusicRadar stand and say hello

This weekend, Birmingham NEC plays host to Music Live. The huge music-making show is open to the public and features numerous star performances and a drool-worthy array of the sexiest guitar, drum and hi-tech gear.

Friday is traditionally Education Day, and we went along amidst the crowds of school trips to see what the show's all about. And here are seven reasons why Music Live rocks...

1. You can watch live music at 11am

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It must be odd for the bands concerned to rock out at a time when they'd usually still be comatose on the tour bus, but rock out they most certainly did with Friday's highlights including Riot:Noise and Mexicolas.

2. You can grab yourself a bargain

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It's usual to see many punters leaving the show with a suspiciously guitar-shaped cardboard box tucked under one arm. With some of the great deals on offer from retailers at the show it's easy to see why.

3. You can listen to people shredding for hours

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Show music is a genre in itself, and slap bass and copious amounts of widdling are de rigeur. We've no idea who the man in the silly mask was wailing away on the Music Man stand, but the crowd of people watching him seemed to be enjoying it.

4. You can meet your heroes and get them to sign stuff

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The biggest star in the building on Friday was probably Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. Never let it be said that Megadeth have an ageing fanbase, but we did see him sign somebody's walking stick.

5. You can watch people drumming away in silence

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Someone once said that rock 'n' roll ain't noise pollution. That said, thank goodness for electronic drum kits, which allow drum tutorials to take place in relative silence. Interested parties can pop a pair of headphones on, everyone else comes away with their hearing intact.

6. You can try out that guitar that you lust after

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Music Live is a bit like being in a giant music shop. Helpfully, the Gibson stand had an array of PODs for people to use to play a wallet-bothering line-up of Les Pauls, ES-335s and SGs.

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User comments (2)

ike2978

Fri 14 Nov 2008, 11:03 am UTC

Mr.E, i kinda agree with you. I always look forward to some big displays and heavily promoted new equipment and companies. I remember 2 years ago an outstanding Peavey stand and it seems to have disappeared. If it continues like this i fear some of the other brands will go and look elsewhere to showcase their items
The bargains are still to be got and i was impressed by GIBSON at this years show. I also think the BOSS stand was excellent and because of that lost a couple of hundred quid in their tills. I do think a little more effort needs to be made with some of the larger brands to promote themselves. I went on the Saturday and noticed that it was getting less and less busy year on year. If it continues then i will be looking at the London show and try that instead.
Can anyone tell me why back rub stand was set up? Kinda selling out a little i think. I want to see masses of equipment not have my deltoids rubbed a little!!

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Mr.E

Sun 9 Nov 2008, 5:26 pm UTC

I have been going for 6years, and this years was disappointing, so many scaled down appearances from some manufacturers and some not even there. Hope it improves next year!!!!!!!

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