Cozzer’s Question – Fox 1 Week Takeover! – Should Backing Tracks Be Used In Rock Music?

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Fox Reviews Rock

13th Jan 2025

As longtime readers know, Monday is Cozzer’s Question day. He asks you a rock-themed question, and you answer it!

Unfortunately, he can’t make it this week. Fear not! I (Fox) will step in. I will deliver that delicious question for you to dig your teeth into.

Question

What is your opinion on bands using pre-recorded backing tracks when performing live? Are you ok with it , or would you rather it was all live?

Personal Thoughts

If the song cannot be performed fully live, that is ok. However, it also depends on how much is being artificially added. For example, if a band recorded a song in the studio with two guitarists, they might face challenges. If they only have one guitarist in the band, it’s pretty impossible for them to perform it all live.

A band that I love is Shinedown. They have admitted to using backing tracks. Maybe I am a bit of a hypocrite if I don’t let bands off for it. In the example of Shinedown they use it often for a song which has a 25 piece orchestra. In another song, there is a keyboard. This is something the band does not have as part of their lineup.

Shinedown – Planet Zero (All Rights Are Retained By Shinedown)

All rights to the song used in this post are retained by Shinedown. This website claims no rights over it.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

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22 responses to “Cozzer’s Question – Fox 1 Week Takeover! – Should Backing Tracks Be Used In Rock Music?”

RasmaSandra

13th Jan 2025

I have not had the opportunity to attend any live concerts. However, from what I have seen of concerts on videos on YouTube I think I would prefer the concert to be all live. Just seems the band can better interact with the audience this way and so to say, come right at them.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  13th Jan 2025
  
  I hope you get that opportunity 🙂 what percentage would you accept as a backing track?
  
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  1. RasmaSandra
    
    13th Jan 2025
    
    Oh, in my opinion not much perhaps just to enhance some like 20% would suffice.
    
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    1. Fox Reviews Rock
      
      14th Jan 2025
      
      I think that amount is ok tbh 🙂
      
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michael branscáth

13th Jan 2025

Aside from elements that are part of a band’s normal sound (i.e., Doktor Avalanche on Sisters of Mercy’s music, or sequenced keyboard backup for someone like, say, Skinny Puppy), I usually find it disingenuous for a band to use prerecorded music for “live” sounds. I’m much more impressed when a band tweaks the formula to bring a studio element back into live music, such as when The Cure recently performed “A Night Like This” live on the BBC and used a guitar solo in place of the original saxophone from the LP.

Live is an opportunity to reimagine a song, not necessarily replicate it tone-for-tone for the audience. It implies a lack of imagination to use studio recordings to augment a live performance.

Off to go chase kids off my front lawn with my cane…

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  13th Jan 2025
  
  I actually genuinely love this take ! Maybe more bands could follow suit with reimagined songs live to take their sets to whole new levels!
  
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  1. michael branscáth
    
    13th Jan 2025
    
    In my opinion, it always comes back to: “If you sound EXACTLY the same live as you do on the record, remind me why I am paying to see you live…”
    
    Some people go to live shows for the community; I get that. Me, I go to see what chops a band has when they don’t have infinite takes and overdubs.
    
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    1. Fox Reviews Rock
      
      14th Jan 2025
      
      Absolutely valid and really damn good points 🙂
      
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poetessadeilibri

13th Jan 2025

It depends, some bands need it.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  13th Jan 2025
  
  Very true , but what if a band you really wanted to see used them ?
  
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  1. poetessadeilibri
    
    13th Jan 2025
    
    Sometimes might be a relieve, listen to Garbage as example, they’re supposed to be rock but is disco music for discotheques.
    
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    1. Fox Reviews Rock
      
      14th Jan 2025
      
      Tis a very good point
      
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missparker0106

14th Jan 2025

I’m OK with recorded music if it’s an exception to the rule, and the percentage used is very small. What I am NOT OK with is any type of voice enhancement or lip-synching.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  14th Jan 2025
  
  Yeah i think i am in total agreement there!
  
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Jasmine Quiles

14th Jan 2025

This is such an interesting take on backing tracks in rock music! I really appreciate how you’ve explored both sides of the debate—it’s such a thought-provoking read. Personally, when I go to concerts, I really value live performances over anything pre-recorded—it feels more authentic and raw.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  14th Jan 2025
  
  Does this opinion expand to when for example a bands guitarist is sick at the last minute?
  
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  1. Jasmine Quiles
    
    15th Jan 2025
    
    Life isn’t perfect, and I completely understand that last-minute issues can happen. I remember hearing about a country artist who found themselves in a similar situation—they went ahead with the concert but also offered refunds to fans to acknowledge the circumstances. Personally, I think how the band handles these situations matters just as much as the performance itself. Transparency and effort to deliver an authentic live experience, even in tough situations, go a long way!
    
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Radio Faux Show

14th Jan 2025

Usually, not my favorite experience, BUT I once got to see Gloria Gaynor perform I Will Survive at a festival 30 years ago and that wouldn’t have been possible if she didn’t use a backing track. I doubt she could have afforded dragging around a full band for a disco Reunion tour. She was awesome.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  14th Jan 2025
  
  Its totally a good point! And a welcome comment thanks for adding to the convo!
  
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Antidote

14th Jan 2025

When a band is in question, people usually go for the live experience. Just like when in a philharmonic orchestra people go to see how everyone plays and enjoy it. If I wanted to just listen to the studio version, I would have played their record. When I go to the concert it’s about the experience. When a full philharmonic orchestra can do it (and I know how long a preparation takes since I have been in one…or a few), then I expect nothing less from a band. The ticket prices should match the experience. The exceptions can be only made when an instrument outside their band is used (because it is not that easy to travel with a mini orchestra just for one song, although they can make collabs with the local orchestra in the state they are performing at, just like some bands have already made it happen). Even collabs with other singers should be replaced with another vocal because playback looks very funny.

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Sunnie Moon

22nd Jan 2025

Depends. Is it a someone signed with the funds to afford a live band a professional session players? If so, then it’s unacceptable. For everyone else, yes especially for solo artists.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  22nd Jan 2025
  
  You know that is a VERY valid point!
  
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