Is Performance-Based Music Video Dying? Which Style Do You Prefer?

byFrankB-1

6.5K followers

Updated 2 weeks ago

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

Music videos have been around for years, and they come in all sorts of styles.

As a guitar player, I know how much a great music video can add to a song's energy. Sometimes, you just want to see a band rock out, and other times, you want to watch a cool story that makes you feel something. No matter what you like, there’s always a style that speaks to you.

Things have changed a lot over the years. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok have made music videos different - both in how we watch them and how they’re made. It makes me wonder: is the classic performance-based video disappearing, or is there still a place for those raw, exciting rock moments?

Here are some of the different kinds of music video styles with examples. Which one is your favorite?

Conceptual/Artistic Music Videos

Conceptual or artistic music videos are all about creating a mood. These videos are made to make you feel something or think in a different way. They’re like visual art moving along with the music, sometimes using abstract ideas to match the song's vibe. Conceptual videos don’t always need to make perfect sense - they’re more about creating a certain feeling.

Take Radiohead’s “No Surprises” as an example. The whole video shows Thom Yorke's face in a space that fills with water while lights and lyrics flash around. It’s simple but powerful, and it makes you think a little deeper than you planned.

https://youtu.be/u5CVsCnxyXg?si=A0_PRPM2anZHpAfi

A great one is "Tonight, Tonight" by The Smashing Pumpkins. The video uses visuals from an old movie called A Trip to the Moon. It’s got old-school props and a dreamy, space-like look. It feels like you’re watching a surreal dream while the music takes you on a journey. It's definitely my favorite video in this category!

https://youtu.be/NOG3eus4ZSo?si=A516jH4goIV0iKN4

Performance-Based Music Videos

There’s nothing like a good old performance-based music video if you love rock! There’s just something honest and real about watching your favorite band play with all their energy. It’s all about showing the passion behind the music.

I can't even tell you how many guitar riffs and solos I stole off some of my favorite performance-based videos while having a blast doing it! Lol

I have 548 performance-based videos of full-length music concerts on DVD and Blu-ray in my personal movie collection. I used to watch one every Saturday and Sunday morning on the surround sound system in my music room when I wasn't on call that weekend and didn't have to make rounds on patients in the hospital. Now that I'm almost fully retired, I watch one every day! When my wife is not home, I watch it in our big home movie theater, and the whole house rocks! Hahaha 😃

Take The Rolling Stones' “Jumpin' Jack Flash” - it's energetic, wild, and full of that classic rock swagger. The video shows Mick Jagger and the band performing with their signature style, complete with flamboyant moves and gritty stage presence. It makes you want to grab a guitar and join in on the fun!

https://youtu.be/EiRQT2AXGrw?si=LYNCqKviTCq_S5ZD

Then there’s AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” Angus Young runs all over the stage doing his famous duck walk while Brian Johnson sings with his powerful voice. It’s pure performance, pure rock - just what you expect from one of the badest and loudest bands out there. This video is all about showing the band doing what it does best!

https://youtu.be/v2AC41dglnM?si=WhoYyDcDZ8y7CFXS

Narrative Storytelling Music Videos

Narrative storytelling videos are almost like short movies. They tell a story from beginning to end, matching the song’s lyrics or sometimes adding a whole new meaning. It’s a way for artists to show their music through a story.

Take Guns N' Roses’ “November Rain.” It’s pretty much a mini-movie. You see Axl Rose at the piano, a wedding, and then something tragic happens - it’s dramatic and unforgettable. The video turns the song into a story about love, loss, and everything in between.

https://youtu.be/kEE15lGhJd8?si=435WxVDhHTz4rH2j

Another example is Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends.” It’s an emotional video about a young couple dealing with war. The storyline makes the song even more powerful, and it hits you right in the heart. Narrative videos add a movie-like feel to the song, helping you connect with it in a different way.

https://youtu.be/NU9JoFKlaZ0?si=Qz6L7HaY0M03XV1G

Animated Music Videos

Animated music videos let artists get super creative - there are no limits to what they can do. Animation allows things that are impossible in real life to come to life, from weird creatures to wild settings. Animated videos can be anything, from fun and playful to serious and political, and that’s what makes them so interesting.

Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" is a great example of an animated music video that also has a performance-based element. The video features early CGI animation showing construction workers and other characters, which was groundbreaking at the time. It also includes clips of the band playing the song on various TVs, adding a performance vibe to the mix. This combination makes it both visually interesting and full of that classic rock energy. The words "I want my MTV were a master stroke of genius because MTV made it their official video for years! Lol. What could be better than a great song with immense marketing value?

https://youtu.be/wTP2RUD_cL0?si=Kn8UmDgWwbOVda-F

Another great example is Pearl Jam’s “Do the Evolution.” The video is intense and tells the story of humanity in a powerful way, all through animation. It's one of my favorite animated videos because there's so much going on that it's almost impossible to take your eyes off it, even after you've seen it a couple of times!

https://youtu.be/aDaOgu2CQtI?si=AkJKS3MmwiCCJ9fj

Tell Me What You Think

Music videos have changed a lot, especially with platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Now, there are so many conceptual, narrative, and animated videos. But are we losing the classic performance-based video? The ones where the band just rocks out, full of energy, playing their hearts out? Are these simple, raw moments getting rare or dying?

Also, if you could only pick one, which music video style do you prefer?:

• Conceptual/Artistic
• Performance-Based
• Narrative Storytelling
• Animated
• Other

Let me know in the comments, AND …

Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘

(Pin created by DALL-E 3)

Frank 🎸

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