The 1980s

Abstract

The New Wave movement at the end of the 1970s had seemed, at least on the surface, to move rock performance away from the more elaborate trappings of theatrical presentation towards a simpler, more direct performance of the self. However, at the beginning of the new decade, the influence of MTV pushed rock performance in the opposite direction — toward a style of presentation which had the visual impact of a video. To this end, stage designs became more flexible (wireless technology, gradually introduced through the decade meant that microphones and instruments did not have to have leads; the vari*lite, first used by Genesis on a 1981 tour, enabled lighting designers to programme and move light sources during the performance), and, as I argue below, the design of the stage was ever more closely bound to the other images which helped to shape the audience’s perception of the band. At the same time, the whole process of touring became more overtly commercialised. The practice of touring sponsorship began around about this time (for example, The Who tour in 1983 was sponsored by Miller Beer).