Music at track meets; Reebok Grand Prix, NYC; pros/cons

[110hedgeNYC]

What do people think about the use of music at track meets?

The last 2 years at the Reebok Grand Prix they had a DJ playing music nonstop. I think it was overbearing/overkill.

No problem with the music itself. The problem is that it's just too much noise. Music between some of the races would be alright. It's a festive atmosphere. But at the Reebok meet the DJ played during, that's right, during the races from 400 on up!

I think this insults the athletes doing any event over 200 meters and detracts from the atmosphere and excitement of the longer races. The fans seemed to "check out" during the longer races while the music was blaring.

Nearly everyone I've gone to the meet with thought the music was completely annoying and that it took away from the atmosphere.

What do people think about this?

[lonewolf]

I HATE IT!!!!!! :evil: Completely unnecessary. Not only do I hate the idea, I hate the music they play. There is no appropriate music for a track meet.
When the speakers are located near your venue communication is impossible. I have resorted to going to the music source and telling them I am suspending competition at my event and will resume when they turn off the damn music. They turned it off.

[gm]

Anyone who wants to listen to music at a track meet these days already has earphones jammed in. No need to make the rest of us suffer.

[110hedgeNYC]

drives me nuts, actually

last year I wanted to scream at the DJ to just leave it alone. Example, as soon as the 400 meter runners were 5 steps out of the blocks the music went on. as if we (the spectators) needed some kind of musical accompanyment to the action on the track. ridiculous!

the music just drowned out the crowd reaction to the races.

anyway, this whole thing is tacky and stupid.

I don't understand why the Reebok meet feels it has to do this or why they are convinced it adds anything to the meet. it doesn't.

:!:

[BisonHurdler]

If you guys prefer, they could always bring back "Lil' Bow Wow" back to perform again (he performed at Carson in '06).

That was terrible.

[110hedgeNYC]

but seriously...

:lol:

why do meet organizers think this stuff is cool?

lil bow wow at Carson?

:lol:

[KLocke]

The music and the meet in NY are fantastic.

[Smoke]

110 you are living on an island and it is called Track purist. You do not need the music because you are a track fan and you are informed and out there to watch and analyze and see how is doing what. But you are not the only type of fan and because you will come regardless there is no need to market to you.
What you have to take into account are, the athletes, and the casual fan and the younger crowd we need to grow this sport.
The athletes like the music, it gives the meet atmosphere. I do not see anyone complaining when the drums are played for the distance races.
The casual fan is not always informed or know the rhythm of a meet to keep up so the music is cue as well as entertaining to some (lil Bow Weezy aside).
The younger crowd is attracted to the party like atmosphere that entertains and makes the meet entertaining.
So while you are not amused, entertained, or thankful for the music, some are and those some will help make us more popular and commercially attractive.
You would want to do a little research too, there are a few meets in Europe that have been playing music for years, and they are very successful meets, i.e. Stockholm (an actual concert)

[110hedgeNYC]

good points made by Smoke.

I certainly see what you mean and I've thought about that. I wasn't aware that any of the meets in Europe were doing this as well.

It is true that I am a track purist. I know the sport. I used to compete at these types of meets.

I agree with you up to a point. That is, I do actually like the music as an addititive and I can see the appeal to the younger and more casual fans.
The NYC Reebok Grand Prix has been great fun the last 3 years, and the music has added to its very international, festive, sort of carnival-like atmosphere.

Nonetheless, I stand by my point that they take it too far. It's great as an add in between races, etc. But, when it's played during the races I truly believe, and a lot of people - including just casual fans - have expressed similar irritation with the use of the music being practically nonstop and overkill.

That said, I, along with probably most of the folks that think it's irritating when they play music during a good 800, 1500, or even the 400, also think the music thing has gone way overboard at NBA games. For me, the basketball game is plenty exciting enough on it's own.

The music sometimes seems to trivialize the actual performances.

[Seeksreal]

I think music is great as it helps boost the atmosphere. I think some really good live acts in conjunction with the competition would help drive larger audiences and be good for the sport. Think Super Bowl half time show! A track meet could get going with some early heats, qualifiers, etc. and then as part of the official opening, a MAJOR artist could perform and then another major artist at the end of the meet after the award ceremonies.

[scratchman]

I think music can be a nice addition- if played at the right times. I definitely think you need something inbetween races to keep the crowd entertained. But I also don't see anything wrong with there being music during long distance events like 3K Steeple, 5K, & 10K. Heck, the right song what really turn the 4x4 out. I could think of several songs that would get the crowd (and athletes) hyped even more for that. I agree with the person who said the shorter distances dont need it. But music at a place like Penn, with all the excitement and energy from the Jamaican delegation, would thrive that much more. The drums and the whoot-whoots during rundowns are sooooo crunk!!!!! Imagine Sean Paul's "Get Busy". The Jamaicans would go bizerk when they hear that reggae mix. 8-)
...Inserted at the right time & right races would be cool.

[TrackDaddy]

110 you are living on an island and it is called Track purist. You do not need the music because you are a track fan and you are informed and out there to watch and analyze and see how is doing what. But you are not the only type of fan and because you will come regardless there is no need to market to you.
What you have to take into account are, the athletes, and the casual fan and the younger crowd we need to grow this sport.
The athletes like the music, it gives the meet atmosphere. I do not see anyone complaining when the drums are played for the distance races.
The casual fan is not always informed or know the rhythm of a meet to keep up so the music is cue as well as entertaining to some (lil Bow Weezy aside).
The younger crowd is attracted to the party like atmosphere that entertains and makes the meet entertaining.
So while you are not amused, entertained, or thankful for the music, some are and those some will help make us more popular and commercially attractive.
You would want to do a little research too, there are a few meets in Europe that have been playing music for years, and they are very successful meets, i.e. Stockholm (an actual concert)

Excellent points, VS!

And in addition to Euro meets playing music, I believe its also done on the Asian circuit to some extent.

Its true the purist needs no music, but every big time sporting event event in the US and abroad has entertainment besides the event, and track will be no different if it makes it there, IMO.

Excellent points as well, scratchman.

[EPelle]

Hochsprung mit musik is immensely popular. I believe you may otherwise know it as Arnstadt. Kajsa Bergqvist knows it as a place which played music and yielded a world indoor record.

Used conservatively (and, in certain instances, more freely), music does provide another element to your entertainment value at a track meet.

[gh]

My personal life is all about loud music, but there's a time and a place for everything. I announced the USATF Indoor at the Armory a few years back and said I would never go back to the place (and haven't). They cranked the music every time a race stopped, making it impossible to make any field-event commentary.

Talked to former miler/now agent Ray Flynn after the meet and he said it was a horrifying experience in the stands because most of the time you couldn't even discuss what was doing on there was so much background racket.

Of course, this is the same phenomenon that has driven me away from going to NFL games (and as noted in an announcer thread the other day, many people from the NBA).

If I wanna go to a headbanger concert I'll go there. When I go to a sporting event it's to enjoy the sporting event.

[jamaicantrackfan]

Music is played regularly at the big Golden League meets in Europe.

Also, music was very evident at the Beijing Olympics. I think after Bolt won in Beijing, they did play a lot of Bob Marley music then.

At the Reebok meet in NY, they do play a lot of music for which I appreciate. Irie Jam Radio(Caribbean radio station in New York) is one of the main sponsors of the meet thus, music for them at the meet is more than appropriate.

It might be a generation gap issue whereby older track folks don’t care for the music being played and the younger trackfans loving every bit of the music.