I am breaking this post out of the larger Lolla thread since it is a topic of discussion on IF and MJ's.
EW commentary:
Quote:Earlier in the afternoon, there was a notable moment of a different sort, when Haley Reinhart became the first American Idol alumna to ever play Lollapalooza. The girl-next-door charm that won the hearts of America was on full display when she turned her stage into a family affair: Her mother and sister joined on back-up vocals, and her father helped out on guitar. The way Reinhart moves on stage still suggest she’s a girl whose recording and performance career was groomed on national television, but her spunky high-energy soul suggest she won’t have too a hard time leaving Idol behind as her defining descriptor. http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/08/04/lolla...lack-keys/
The commentary really doesn't make sense as one would think someone whose career was "groomed" on national television would have been coached in how to move. Still, I have heard others criticize Haley's movements on stage.
I think this criticism arises from two different points of view. One is from people who are accustomed to seeing elaborate staged performances by singers who are poor singers or do little live singing (J-Lo, Britney Spears, etc.) The other is from people who feel that small, independent acts are more authentic. They often play smaller venues, which makes it easier to fill the room with their energy. Frequently, they have an instrument-driven synergy where the singer is not a great vocalist but seems to be carried by the instruments' sounds as he/she delivers the lines.
No one expects these types of energetic performances from Adele, Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones or Corinne Bailey Rae. I think the expectation for Haley is different because she exudes exuberance and some of her songs do have a spunky energy to them.
From my p.o.v., I am perfectly content to listen to Haley sit on a stool and sing. When she is not, I don't care too much about her movements because I want her to do what feels natural while singing rather than thinking about hitting a mark and making a move. She was choreographed for the Idol performance of "Free" and it seemed too frantic too me. I much prefer "The Voice" performance where the attention was placed on her voice.
That acoustic performances with John Notto was a big improvement over her earlier ones. I'm sure the more she gets to perform with her full band the more natural it will become to her.
Comment by Babbs:
(08-04-2012, 05:44 PM)Babbs234 Wrote: I dont get why people tend to criticize Haley's onstage movements. I think she sings her heart out, gets in the moment and does what comes naturally to her. These are not choreographed movements. We all know she can dance. She was one of the best on the idol tour. Check out some of those videos. You can't take your eyes off of her. (wish I could dance like that haha)
She also tends to hold the microphone rather than stand behind it, which limits her movements somewhat. And she is consistent. That arm swing has been present since Idol.
Having seen her live twice now, at Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago, and at Lollapalooza, I just enjoy her for who she is.
A comment on MJs:
Quote:I think when you listen to the videos, you might think Haley sounds a bit awkward between songs when talking to the crowd. But believe me, when your there in person (me, me, me) it sounds friendly, natural, and puts a big smile on your face. She puts the crowd at ease and they were all hangin on her every word! This is part of who Haley is..
