The Use of Nonverbal Signs in Live Rock Band Performances

Abstract

Rock and Roll is a musical genre that emerged in the late 1940s United States. The music later developed into the popular genre of music that we are familiar with: Rock music. The music was almost always performed by a small group of people, known as “rock bands”. As Rock became increasingly popular, the number of live rock band performances also increased significantly. In these live performances, the band not only have to perform the music, but also have to interact and communicate with the audience in other ways. This makes nonverbal signs, both visual and auditory, a necessary communication between the band and the audience. These signs are crucial for live performances in that they enable the performer to better convey emotion and provide the audience with a more complete listening experience. This research paper aims to discuss and analyze the use of different nonverbal signs in live band performances by examining the presence of these signs and their effects in several live performances of rock bands. In this way, the extent to which nonverbal signs are crucial to live band performances can be investigated.