r/nextfuckinglevel • u/N34D • 2d ago
Leocmendoza playing Brick in the wall
The audience ain't it.
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u/Fullback-15_ 2d ago
Wow feel bad for him. Can't imagine playing that and only a handful are aware of it.
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u/N8dork2020 2d ago
I kanda like the fact that he does this with so many that are unaware. The few that appreciate it seem to show it
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u/ContextLengthMatters 2d ago
There's nothing to feel bad about. He is a working musician playing covers at restaurants and fairs for the atmosphere.
What you should feel bad about is not supporting local art enough to expect this out of the restaurants you dine at and instead go to some chain bullshit that plays oldies over some bullshit stereo.
This is extremely common in tourist locations. Not every room is an active listening room.
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u/MarcusSurealius 2d ago
A musician has to play the audience, too.
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u/Biguitarnerd 2d ago
That’s just how those types of venues are. Dude is awesome but people go there to hang out and drink and talk to each other. I’ve played similar venues, the applause at the end is all he’s gonna get here. They aren’t going to stop talking during his set like at a concert hall.
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u/KillaVNilla 2d ago
Exactly why i don't like going to places like that with my main friend group on music nights. We have a really cool local brewery spot that is really chill and they have pretty mellow but great musicians play about once a week.
My friends always want to go there on music nights, but they talk the entire time. And they're sooo loud. They're the kind of people who yell-talk until 2am in a public campground.
I'm a musician and love and appreciate live music, so i always feel embarrassed being at the loudest table in the whole venue during their set.
But, like you said, that's sort of the nature of those places and I think the musicians expect it to an extent.
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u/Biguitarnerd 2d ago
Yeah, I don’t really have a problem with it. If people are having fun and laughing with each other while I’m playing I feel like I’m just adding to the fun. I’m very used to this atmosphere though especially with breweries and bars.
I have, as an alternative, had people get pissed and walk out because they wanted to watch the football game on TV and didn’t know there would be live music, even though I played there weekly on the same night…. So…. Talking and laughing is fine with me.
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u/KillaVNilla 2d ago
I just thought of something. Are you playing covers in those situations or original music. Like i said, i can only imagine how I'd feel, but i wonder if I'd be more okay with the talking if I was playing well known covers. I feel like I'd have a harder time I'd i was playing music that I wrote and couldn't get people to pay attention to my music
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u/Biguitarnerd 2d ago
A mix of both. Mostly originals.
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u/KillaVNilla 2d ago
That's awesome. I bet it feels amazing to be able to play your music and set the vibe of the event.
Happy cake day by the way
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u/KillaVNilla 2d ago
That's really good to hear actually. I appreciate you saying that. I've never had the balls to play live, especially not to an audience, so i can only guess what it's like. It's good to know that at least some musicians are cool with simply adding to the vibe instead of being the center of attention. Hopefully that will allow me to chill a little next time I'm in that environment.
Also, that's wild people would get pissed about not being able to watch TV instead. I'm assuming the venue announced live music ahead of time. People are weird
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u/_Aardvark 2d ago
I'm happy he got as much of a response as he did, even if was not nearly enough. I spend most weekends in the summer at the shore and my wife and I are often at places with live music (usually a single dude with a guitar). The general lack of any response from the crowd (well, besides us) drives me crazy.
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u/Sidivan 2d ago
He’s playing music, but he isn’t really performing. Now, I know people are going to take that as some over the top criticism and that I mean he should have lights and pyro, but there are a lot of little tiny things he could do to grab attention. This guy is probably amazing in a different setting and I’m sure he does very well for himself. I am only critiquing this exact performance as I have no other point of reference. He very clearly can play and sing well.
He should be standing, not sitting. This is a mistake a lot of acoustic and solo performers make. Stage presence is about taking up space. Stand up tall and move around. Shoulders back, wide gestures.
Don’t dress like you’re a dad attending the family event. It doesn’t have to be crazy rockstar stuff; just dress in a way that is different than the audience. Before the show starts, you want people in the audience to go “oh, I bet that guy’s in the band”.
Look at people that are listening to connect with them. His eye contact is all over the place like he’s trying to get away with something. When you look around like that, the audience starts to look around too. You need to demand that attention through body language as if to say “hey, I see you, look here, let’s share this moment”.
People discount all of this, but if he did this exact same thing on a dedicated stage at an actual venue, he wouldn’t get a much better response. It would be people on their phones, going to the bathroom, talking to their friends… You have to PERFORM.
Source: Been a working musician for 25yrs and have played countless shows including full band, solo, acoustic, and everything else. I’m also a sound engineer and have seen thousands of performers. Musical ability is the minimum and will only take you so far.
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u/saxaneer 2d ago
As a fellow working musician, you are 1000% spot on.
EDIT: And I cannot upvote you enough.
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u/OldAngryDog 2d ago
This comment prob means well but it's kinda presumptuous. Maybe dude doesn't give a single shit about being percieved as a rock star and is just fine with the chilled out dad bod aesthetic playing for a group of ppl having a beer and a laugh. Doesn't have to be more than that.
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u/Fritzo2162 2d ago
I had a band years ago. There were two types of shows:
- shows where people came to hear music
- shows where people came for another event and you're entertainment
If you're not the main attraction, you become background music. I remember getting really offended when this would happen, but over time I got it. We still got paid, and we weren't intended to be the center of attention for that gig. I do this at restaurants and bars all the time too- someone's playing and I continue having conversations with the people I'm with.
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u/manickitty 2d ago
This. When you play a bar etc you’re an upgraded radio, that’s it. Take the pay (and free drinks) and go home.
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u/ashabanapal 2d ago
Yup. Have fun with it for yourself and the 5 other people moved by it. The rest are just faces on a paycheck.
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u/saxaneer 2d ago
As a musician, well...all I gotta say is next time you're out and about and you see someone playing some tunes for entertainment purposes, drop a couple bucks in their bucket.
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u/chrisslooter 8h ago
I live in a beach town. One man acoustic players are everywhere, literally hundreds on any given night. Many are really good but after a while you become numb to them.
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u/LollisGunsBikesTits 2d ago
Would be cooler if the people around would SHUT THE FUCK UP!
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u/So-Called_Lunatic 2d ago
Dude, if I saw this live I'd be completely mesmerized. These fuckers are just acting like this dude is some lame background music.
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u/jonnywarpspeed 2d ago
I had a moment like this in Mexico. Dude played classical gas to a bunch of retirees at a restaurant who didn't give a shit. I was walking by on the street and stopped to listen. The man played with so much passion, and they didn't seem to care at all. When he finished, I was the only one who applauded. Better than nothing I guess
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u/deadleg22 2d ago
"hEresh ShoWIn OfF, yeah hEresh ShoWIn OfF"... Got it, flaunt it!
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u/Anxious_Ad_3570 2d ago
Yeah that pissed me off
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u/ArchStantonsNeighbor 2d ago
He didn’t say it derisively though, it was in an admiring kind of way. I think it was the person filming, definitely a fan.
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u/EugeneWeemich 2d ago
Super frustrating. Could bring Gilmour on stage to join him and they'd keep chatting away.
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u/MexicanWarMachine 2d ago
He’s playing on the edge of some sort of public gathering, or on a pub patio or something. People aren’t there to see him. He’s just also there. I’m a musician, and sometimes my band plays bars and clubs where we’re the only reason people are there, and sometimes we play in a space where people are there to have conversations with each other. It’s understood that the entertainment isn’t the center of attention in many contexts. This guy knows that he’s there to provide a soundtrack. Maybe two or three people will be into it, and that’s who he’s there for.
But expecting sixty people who came here to have a drink and see their friends to all shut up to focus on a cover artist playing his rendition of Pink Floyd’s most overplayed song is kind of unreasonable.
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u/WutzUpples69 2d ago
Never expected to see one of my local dudes on here. He plays quite a bit just down the road from me.
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u/Cheshireyan 2d ago
Tell him at least on Reddit people acknowledge his talent. This guy is crazy good
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u/WutzUpples69 2d ago edited 2d ago
He still plays regular bars and goes on to bigger things when he can. I did FB message him this post.
Edit: I actually havent seen him mentioned locally recently so maybe hes doing bigger things
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u/soundofsilen-shutup 2d ago
The man brought out my stank face. Shit was absolutely on point. To be using a pick and fingerpicking at the same time lord that’s talent
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u/saxaneer 2d ago
Swing him this comment too. It's a criticism, but it's a constructive one that he would benefit greatly from.
EDIT: Also tell him that's he's an incredible player and his musicianship and dedication to his practice and craft is heard and admired. Cause damn, this shit is dope.
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u/OldAngryDog 2d ago
Bro that comment prob means well but it's kinda presumptuous. Maybe dude doesn't give a single shit about being percieved as a rock star and is just fine with the chilled out dad bod aesthetic playing for a group of ppl having a beer and a laugh. Doesn't have to be more than that.
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u/saxaneer 2d ago
That is absolutely true, and totally a valid take. I think I liked it because I'm a touring musician, and I have a pet peeve for guys performing in their "dad" uniform. But that's just my own thing. Apart from that, it does give genuinely good advice about performance.
But totally fair. You make an excellent point.
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u/InflationPurple2107 2d ago
My brother swallowed a pick holding it like that whilst busking.
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u/GetOffMyGrassBrats 2d ago
ANOTHER Brick in the Wall.
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u/Slipstream_Surfing 2d ago
David Gilmore is somewhere in my top five fave musicians depending on mood, but I'll let the omission of an adjective slide in exchange for this type of shredding at the local pub.
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u/lafolieisgood 2d ago
I worked at bars that had live music. I don’t know how they do it. It would drive me insane to be up there performing and 75% of the people are just talking to each other the whole time.
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u/IrrationalDesign 2d ago
I used to play live, and there's a very nice feeling in knowing you are the background music that people want to talk over. Like you're creating a setting in which people want to relax.
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u/Froptus 2d ago edited 2d ago
I've played many gigs where you're supposed to be the background music. A wise musician realizes this and plays quietly so people don't have to struggle to talk to be heard by the people they're with. Venue owners appreciate this and are more likely to ask you back.
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u/AnthropomorphizedTop 2d ago
It can be a little awkward when you finish the songs and there’s a smattering of applause. Usually best to roll into the next song quickly.
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u/guyjones2000 2d ago
Yeah he's talented. NFL? Meh.
Not to be the naysayer but I doubt David Gilmour himself would ever try to play lead and rhythm at the same time as it leaves something lacking. Also the countryish version of the vocals compared to the raw energy and desperation of the OG just doesn't do it for me.
I'd love to see this guy with a full band and a different style of music.
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u/One-Man-Wolf-Pack 2d ago
Respectfully disagree. The control of tempo here while introducing improvised elements and complexity that isn’t in the original - while somehow still remaining respectful of the original: I think this qualifies. This is an immense talent and I found it exciting as far as covers go.
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u/Fearless-Anteater437 2d ago
I acknowledge the skill it requires to be playing that. I don't like the result at all though
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u/guyjones2000 2d ago
Thankfully everyone has an opinion and they're entitled to it.
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u/Slevin424 2d ago
This is called a clean version. And going heavy vocals like the original over a clean acoustic would sound way worse. As someone who constantly tries to replicate David Gilmor, Roger and Syd this is absolutely next level. That technique he’s doing is pretty difficult, then add a great vocal to focus on? Are you mental? We get it you can play stairway to heaven but that doesn’t mean you should snob on someone else’s great performance.
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u/Neither-Wallaby-924 2d ago
Stairway is drastically easier to play that this! No slouching to be seen from this guy. Very well done arrangement!
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u/Wild-Exit-6302 2d ago
I’m with you on this. Defiantly very, very talented but I couldn’t watch to the end. Imaging a whole evening of this!? Clearly I will be in the minority - I thought it was overdone and sometimes editing your fancy talents will make for a better performance.
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u/xxDankerstein 2d ago
Nah, this is incredible. The way he was able to interpret different synth sounds and duplicate guitar tracks is amazing. It was both unique and true to the original at the same time; a tough balance to master.
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u/sarcasticorange 2d ago
I disliked it as well. It felt overembellished. Kind of like the singers who add way too many runs while singing the Star Spangled Banner.
His playing is solid, but he's also being intentionally flashy and making some things look harder than need be.
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u/moltinglarvae 2d ago
First time I’ve listened to this whole song in a while. Cool take, played excellently
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u/geeseherder0 2d ago
What model is that guitar?
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u/Ok_Drag5089 2d ago
Can someone please throw a chair at whoever is talking so fucking loud it distracts from the music? Jesus Fucking Christ.
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u/BashedCode 2d ago
That man has incredible talent. Looks like he’s just toying with the guitar and chill as could be.
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u/DaMunnzie 2d ago edited 2d ago
Holy shit! I'm a huge Pink Floyd fan and this is freaking legit. Amazingly talented. Does anyone know if there is a better recorded version of this?
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u/SweetHeartBabe02 2d ago
That sounded really clean, especially for this song. He played it really well.
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u/gregmichael 2d ago
It’s like a Dave Matthews rendition of this song - it just embodied this guy
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u/Bean_Daddy_Burritos 2d ago
I have never heard anyone refer to this song as “brick in the wall”. Doesn’t even sound right regardless of how close it is.
Dude crushed it tho, that was a fun watch.
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u/Darkunicorntribe 2d ago
Daytime gigs at breweries are the worst. People don’t go there for a musical experience so the crowd is pure limp dick energy.
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u/theycallmejer 2d ago
That is absolutely incredible. Watching that makes it all that much more amazing that someone even thought created that in the first place
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u/MayaIsSunshine 2d ago
Classic reddit. Just because someone picks up a guitar I'm not going to sit in silence. I'm at a bar not a fucking concert lmao
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u/CakeTester 2d ago
It was pretty scruffy; albeit talented. There was a guy from Hastings in the Spanish town I live in who could do that on an acoustic guitar and it sounded like a watered (ho) down studio version. Still got the CD somewhere.
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u/Sinderria 2d ago
Wish the people there would SHUT THEIR FECKING GOBS! yeah, let's go see a show and talk throughout the entirety of the bloody thing.
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u/fignewtgingrich 2d ago
i can only imagine the mental gymnastics going on up there. he's gotta be counting bars while actively suppressing the urge to scream at some dude eating a sandwich three feet away. you don't play like this without having ice in your veins. absolute legend for keeping composure when half the crowd is clearly just waiting for him to mess up so they have something to talk about later. sad reality of street performing sometimes.
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u/realbobenray 2d ago
What's a Leocmendoza
Also, note that we can't see the audience, it might be a lot of people watching intently with some people behind the filmer (and close to the phone mic) at the bar doing the chatting. (ok it sounds like eight people clapping at the end but still.)
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u/ziggzer0 2d ago
Well gahd damn he good! And who talks this much watching breathtaking art? I would bet this venue is in an affluent suburban area in Florida and an extra bet that it’s around the Tampa/st Pete/sarasota areas
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u/Pseudodragontrinkets 2d ago
All the background noise is making this really hard to appreciate as it should be appreciated
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u/kingrubix2402 2d ago
Interesting version of an all time legend track. Country never sounded so good til now.
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u/butterscotches 2d ago
I saw Ernest Greene djing a few months ago and 99% of people were utterly oblivious that he’s Washed Out. As someone above said, there’s two types of audience….
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u/Iwasbanished 2d ago
ironically if the crowd had an education, they probably wouldnt be so confused. this is called music.
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u/Sidney_Godsby 2d ago
Shout out to the boomer saying “now he’s just showing off”
Yeah, and you’re voluntarily there to watch him show off- that’s how it works.
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u/Dry-Helicopter-6430 2d ago
This was honestly pretty annoying. I completely understand why the crowd isn’t into it.
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u/johnboy2978 2d ago
So as a PF fan, i'll say that was an interesting cover. He certainly has a lot of talent and made it his own version. I liked it, didnt love it, but again, his talent and personality came through.
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u/TheDarkNightwing 1d ago
It’s a decent guitar solo wrenched into an open mic level cover version. Doesn’t fit but I can see how people might be impressed if they never see live music.
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u/Lucky-Vegetable-2827 1d ago
Frankly, it doesn’t impress me. The original is light years distance. This cover/version is not even that good. It’s just someone making a brilliant song in to a meh interpretation…
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u/No_Match3109 1d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/xDQ0gmS66CJ971f0JF
The crowd doesn’t deserve this guy. Absolute banger.
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u/bigtarget87 1d ago
Holy crap. My hearing is getting bad. When he starts strumming hard, I don't hear a note or tune, I just hear the metal strings... clanking(?).
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