What Is A Tribute Act?
A tribute act is a live performance by someone who has studied the original performer's music, style, mannerisms, etc., and then performs it onstage. The term "tribute" comes from the word "travesty," which means to perform something badly or inappropriately. In reality, most quality tributes acts are very good indeed. They both sound like and often look and dress like, the original act.
What Is A tribute Band?
A tribute band is a group of performers who perform to pay homage to an original band that may no longer be around. Good tribute bands perform a very similar show to their idols (the original act) and recreate the looks, sounds and stage performance of the original. Good modern tribute bands are very good indeed.
Why Are Tribute Acts So Popular?
They're fun, they give fans something familiar to listen to, and they allow fans to remember their favourite artists in ways they couldn't if it was just one song. The cost of a tribute act allows smaller venues to put on an evening of nostalgia and enjoyment. Of course, if the original band is no longer performing then a tribute is the only way to hear their songs recreated live.
What Are Some Popular Tribute Acts
A tribute act is someone who performs songs from another artist's repertoire. The most famous example would be the Elvis Presley impersonators, but there are many, many more acts available. Indeed, most famous and successful performers or bands will normally have one or more tribute acts or bands recreating their music. Some of the most popular tribute acts include
Queen - always popular and a high bar for tribute bands to reach. However, several have, putting on wonderfully authentic shows for fans of the original band. Tributes to Freddie Mercury are also very popular solo acts.
ABBA - Extremely popular, not least because they are no longer performing but have such a great collection of fantastic songs. The only way at the moment to hear ABBA songs live so very, very popular.
George Michael - With George Michael's passing in 2016, several excellent tributes are the only way to hear the great artists songs in a live setting.
Chas and Dave - weirdly, this London duo are a massively popular choice on the tribute act circuit. No longer performing, relatively less known and with fewer famous songs, it's a mystery why this act so much in demand. However, in-demand they are and there are some very good performers recreating the sounds.
The Rolling Stones - always likely to be one of the top tribute bands requested, mainly due to the unique stage performance and long history of fantastic songs.
Bob Jovi - the American rock band only tours in the United States at the moment so tributes to their music are very popular outside of that country. In the United Kingdom, there are many very high-quality Bon Jovi tribute bands delivering fantastic stage shows.
Are Tribute Acts Actually Legal?
Yes, they are legal! It is perfectly acceptable to perform songs written by others, provided it does not infringe upon the copyright of the original songwriter. If you want to be sure that a performance will not cause any legal problems, check with the music licensing organisation or contact a lawyer before putting on a performance performing.
Cover Bands vs. Tribute Acts
A cover band performs songs from another original artist’s repertoire BUT generally don't attempt to sound or look authentically like the original act. Put simply, the cover band simply plays the original band songs without any attempt to sound authentic. In addition, a cover band but often does not cover solely the music of a single act but rather crowd favourites from a range of bands and artists.
A tribute act or band are also performers that cover another original acts' music BUT generally try to look and sound like that original act or band. Unlike cover bands, tribute performers normally stick to the music of one original act exclusively. In a small number of cases, a single tribute performer will recreate the look and sound of two or three original acts. However, the key fact is that in all these cases sound, look and stage mannerisms of the original act are recreated.
What Kind Of Venues Stage Tribute Act Shows?
Tribute act shows can be found and staged in all sizes of venues from an outdoor festival to a small intimate club with a 3-foot stage. Of course, depends on the size of the act or band and how much equipment may require for their show. As a general rule, smaller venues such as clubs, bars and smaller wedding venues tend to hire solo or duo tribute acts. At the other end of the scale, open-air festivals, large theatres and music venues tend to put on performances by large bands. However, the larger venues are also known for performances by solo tributes which, together with the bands, provides a great mix of different musical styles and act sizes.
How Has Covid Affected Tribute Act Entertainment?
Live entertainment, in general, has had a very rollercoaster experience during the Covid pandemic and this is also been true for tribute acts. With many venues that could want a tribute act having to close, access to this type of live music has been minimal over the last few years. During the summer of 2021, live music venues were again, following government Covid advice, able to open (especially outdoors) and A1 Star Tributes has seen a resurgence in tribute act performances.
