Wanted: Dedicated Gaga Tapers.

[ChicaSkas 22,261]

I have a small rant.

 

 

The exclusive $1,000+ Gaga concert that occurred two days ago, and the subsequent grainy videos/incomplete performances captured on Snapchat or cellphones has led me to a frustrating thought:

We do not have enough people in the fanbase who record Lady Gaga concerts in full.

I can count on one hand, and have fingers leftover -- the number of people on this site who record shows.

Three people.  And one of them is me. 

There were more, but they are now inactive after many years.

With the exception of the Los Angeles Dive Bar tour, which absolutely no one could record except press, I've managed to record every live concert I've ever been to since 2012. I do this not only for my own memories and to write articles, but to leave behind a record when I die for the world to someday hopefully use and enjoy and learn from. I like to believe I'm doing good for the future, providing a public service to the world who couldn't be at a show that I was so lucky to be able to attend. 

What I am doing, is called being a "taper". 

(for more info, and to read about these dedicated people, read here: http://taperssection.com/)

These are people who have taped concert shows since the 70's, when Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, and ACDC could best be caught with reel to reel recorders smuggled in under people's wheelchairs. Now, technology has advanced so very far, that a show can be taped on a handheld device that can fit almost anywhere within a 4 inch span. We are living in wonderful times to be documenting history. Unfortunately, with idiots like terrorists, who cause us all to be wanded and metal-detected before entering shows, our job as tapers is a little harder -- but not impossible. 

Does anyone, recognizing the risks involved, and willing to undertake them -- volunteer to record Gaga shows they may attend in the future? 

I mean shows like the Vegas one that just aired. Look at this setlist. I'd have killed to tape this

 

If everyone who wanted a ticket to this had given just ten bucks to one taper, so that taper could get a ticket, all of us could potentially have heard this show. (that is a hypothetical idea, I'm not saying we should crowdsource like that, it's just the principle and potential, you know what I mean?)

Basically, I'm just putting this out there:

if you have a Sony PCM-10 basic audio recorder, or a TEAC, or even your phone -- please consider helping the entire fanbase out.

I'm just sending out this mini-rant on GGD here in the small hope that some of you might read this and say, "Oh, yeah, I could do that!" and save us the gutwrenching feeling of, "Man, I missed that show, and it was history making."

Thanks for reading the rant!
 

--- C.

 

[L E O 6,035]

It's a nice idea, I love the idea of documenting everything, but I can't stand paying money to film something, I have to dance and sing, ESPECIALLY at a Gaga concert, and if I do that, believe me the footage will be pure garbage 

But yeah, if people are dedicated to it, while I think it's kinda of a waste, I'll always be happy to have footage! I really like multicam editing of fancams!

[ChicaSkas 22,261]

Just now, L E O said:

It's a nice idea, I love the idea of documenting everything, but I can't stand paying money to film something, I have to dance and sing, ESPECIALLY at a Gaga concert, and if I do that, believe me the footage will be pure garbage 

But yeah, if people are dedicated to it, while I think it's kinda of a waste, I'll always be happy to have footage! I really like multicam editing of fancams!

I've paid people around me to be quiet, begged them, gently pleaded, offered copies of it when done... you end up doing what you have to do
I dance, but I don't make any sounds. Or it will end up on the tape.

[ChicaSkas 22,261]

Just now, Heterophobia said:

K but you're gonna be the hoe funding my camera 

 

:facepalm:

serious inquiries only...  *mutters* not a 'hoe'... :lmao:

 

 

[L E O 6,035]

2 minutes ago, ChicaSkas said:

I've paid people around me to be quiet, begged them, gently pleaded, offered copies of it when done... you end up doing what you have to do
I dance, but I don't make any sounds. Or it will end up on the tape.

Really?? 
I wonder how much it would take me to stand still at a Lady Gaga concert  That seems impossible haha

But it's cool that you get so many footage! I wish artists would automatically record and make available footage, even if it's very raw, at least to ticket holders, even if we have to pay! 

[TCHIKITAH 2,810]

You should try putting your phone down and camera and enjoy the performance instead. It's more fun that way  

Spoiler

Props though 

 

[HOTNebraskaGuy 19,547]

You got BTWB footage 

[elijahfan 24,865]

Alright, I hear you, but to be honest... I can't blame people for wanting to enjoy the show and be in the moment. Gaga would be way happier if there were less cameras and phones pointed toward her during her performances, ngl.

[ChicaSkas 22,261]

You guys don't understand.

Im talking about an audio recorder.

2 or 3 inches, not a huge camera distracting anyone.

[Ronk 14,485]

We need a "Strawberry Alice".  She shows up hours early for concerts to get the perfect position for her videography.  She videos entire concerts in HD, hundreds of concerts, everything from pop to metal,  jazz to folk.  I find her videos to be more exciting than professional videos of the same concerts, because she puts you there.  You become part of the excitement surrounding the concert.  She even captures after-concert bows.  Check out the excitement at 42:15 here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymOZ6w1iVyg

She is in China, though, where Gaga is banned.  I like her because we are kindred spirits.  I videoed artRAVE in Buffalo, and I think her work is wonderful.

[donutellha 13,819]

I might do so for audio (bc video kills battery and bc i want to enjoy my concert) if i can possibly go to one!

[ChicaSkas 22,261]

48 minutes ago, elijahfan said:

Alright, I hear you, but to be honest... I can't blame people for wanting to enjoy the show and be in the moment. Gaga would be way happier if there were less cameras and phones pointed toward her during her performances, ngl.

I don't mean videographing it. I mean just having a mic on to record the sound. Sorry I should have made that clearer.

[ChicaSkas 22,261]

40 minutes ago, Ronk said:

We need a "Strawberry Alice".  She shows up hours early for concerts to get the perfect position for her videography.  She videos entire concerts in HD, hundreds of concerts, everything from pop to metal,  jazz to folk.  I find her videos to be more exciting than professional videos of the same concerts, because she puts you there.  You become part of the excitement surrounding the concert.  She even captures after-concert bows.  Check out the excitement at 42:15 here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymOZ6w1iVyg

She is in China, though, where Gaga is banned.  I like her because we are kindred spirits.  I videoed artRAVE in Buffalo, and I think her work is wonderful.

Ronk, this is so awesome. Of course I'm being shortsighted only wanting Audio, not Video, but having Video too is really beautiful.

Have you checked out Dime a Dozen? I'm sure Strawberry Alice might be on there too!

http://www.dimeadozen.org/index.php

This, for the record, is what we need. People recording shows and uploading them to a site like dime:

 

 

 

[elijahfan 24,865]

27 minutes ago, ChicaSkas said:

I don't mean videographing it. I mean just having a mic on to record the sound. Sorry I should have made that clearer.

Ooooh right!

[Ronk 14,485]

8 minutes ago, ChicaSkas said:

Ronk, this is so awesome. Of course I'm being shortsighted only wanting Audio, not Video, but having Video too is really beautiful.

Have you checked out Dime a Dozen? I'm sure Strawberry Alice might be on there too!

http://www.dimeadozen.org/index.php

This, for the record, is what we need. People recording shows and uploading them to a site like dime:

 

 

 

Ahh, such sites are a dime a dozen.  jk

I checked it out. It looks great!  And plenty of metal, which makes me happy.

Tbh, I'm a MV person.  Ever since the old MTV and VH1 days, I've enjoyed videos much more than just audio.  And when there is a CD and a DVD for sale, I always buy the DVD.  That's just me, though.