Aristocrats shows compromised by fan filming

Guthrie Govan says his performances with supergroup The Aristocrats can be compromised when people in the audience are recording the show.

His main issue with fans using phones to shoot video is that the results will be seen and heard out of context.

And that makes the guitarist think twice about improvising when he’s playing with bassist Bryan Beller and drummer Marco Minnemann.

Govan tells MusicRadar: “I don’t like the whole filming thing at all. Improvising in front of an audience carries a certain element of risk.

“I’ve always liked the idea of trying to create a unique moment. I find it can be disruptive to that mindset to think that whatever I’m trying to do – regardless of whether it works – could end up on YouTube hours later, without any sense of context.”

He adds: “Feelings like that can definitely inhibit spontaneity. The performance captured by the iPhone-wielding army in the front row can’t possibly sound the same as the performance that would have occurred if everyone had just put their devices way, and made an effort to engage fully with the music instead.”

The Artistocrats released third album Tres Caballeros in June. They launch a European tour in November, with six UK shows the following month.

Marco Minnemann Q&A

Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.