Live looping has been coming in and out of modern music’s favour since the 60s. It’s been adopted by composers like Steve Reich, beatboxers like Beardyman and singer/songwriters like KT Tunstall.
It’s had another renaissance recently with Ed Sheeran and Marc Ribellet. Whatever you feel about their music, it’s a fascinating development. Live looping 1.0 was about technology and magic; wowing the audience with the ability to turn one musician into many. Like all tricks, it was time-limited. The magic is over once the third rabbit emerges from the hat.
Today looping is mainstream — everyone knows how it works so we can forget about the magic and focus on the bigger picture (thanks Ed — no seriously!). Now, a new generation of loop warriors with a new generation of loop boxes are creating captivating improvised experiences. These raw and fresh conversations with intimate audiences create a feeling of engagement unmatched by a rehearsed performance.
This is far from a magic trick. It’s deeply human. Live looping 2.0 is about craft, context, spontaneity and interaction. It’s music catching up with the times.
Today, we’re alienated by the mass consumption of over-produced content and exhausted by the ocean of anxiety-inducing social media. These are the hallmarks of the old world — Music 1.0 — the industry built on huge artists with huge fan-bases.
We yearn for our new world to be about real, right-sized communities with which we can deeply collaborate, co-create and engage. This is what Music 2.0 will offer and Live Looping 2.0 ticks more of its boxes as a means to get there than any other trend in music.
At my new project, Endlesss.fm, we’re thinking about how we can facilitate the transition to a music more focused on communities and engagement. We hope to play a small part in this big change, recognising that this monumental shift will be powered by brave, open-minded creative people.
Immersed in intimate communities, these pioneers will be finding new ways to connect deeply with each other around music. Personally, I’m fascinated to see where this will go…
Join in the discussion
I’d love to know your thoughts on this and the future of music
- Twitter — @timexile #livelooping2
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Links and references
Steve Reich On Tape Loops, Rhythm & Sampling In Minimalism
Lesson: Looping Basics Using KT Tunstall’s Method
Why small groups work and what makes an optimally sized community
