Can artists perform covers of other songs at their live concert?

piotrek255 · 02-01-2015, 05:36 PM

Hi

Can artists perform covers of other songs at their live concert?

I'm talking about Kadebostany's Beyonce song cover "crazy in love" or Bastille's " Rhytm of the night " (this one i particularly like)

Is there a situation when artists can perform covers on their concerts? can you name few of such situations? I never seen that happen

Thanks

**Frownland** · 02-01-2015, 05:38 PM

When they add it to their set lists.

Norg · 02-01-2015, 07:23 PM

No they cant if they do the copyright feds will rush the stage and slap dem Cuffs

Key · 02-01-2015, 08:10 PM

Yes, they can. I've seen plenty of bands do it.

I'm not the biggest biggest fan of Panic! but this cover is fantastic.

Rexx Shredd · 02-02-2015, 05:36 AM

It depends....In the USA, If the venue is covered by ASCAP or BMI, OR if the artist has a personal licencing account through ASCAP or BMI, then "Yes" , they can cover almost any song live legally...If an audio recording or video recording exists that the artist can profit from, additional rights must be obtained from the agency that owns publishing of the song, such as The William Morris Agency.........

Justice_Jane · 02-02-2015, 06:18 AM

So... is this a thread about whether artists CAN cover songs live, or whether they should?

I'm no lawyer, so I don't know of the legalities, but I've seen enough bands perform covers that I'm pretty sure it's ok. It can also add a lot to a concert.

That being said, there are some instances where using a cover instead of original material can seem a little lazy. When the artist doesn't bring anything new to the song, I would rather just listen to the original. But yeah, in general, I think performing a cover can really bring a good vibe to a show.

Psy-Fi · 02-02-2015, 08:40 AM

Based on my years of concert going experience, the majority of bands/artists will include at least one cover song during a live performance. Very few of them don't.

Trollheart · 02-02-2015, 10:24 AM

Happens all the time. Springsteen covers Waits's "Jersey girl", not to mention "Twist and shout", loads of others. Robbie Williams does U2's "One", and on it goes. Not even sure why this is a question. It's been happening forever.

Key · 02-02-2015, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

It's been happening forever.

And honestly, I love when it does. It may be a bad thing to say, but some covers are better than the originals, and I love when that happens.

Trollheart · 02-02-2015, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ki

And honestly, I love when it does. It may be a bad thing to say, but some covers are better than the originals, and I love when that happens.

Me too. There's nothing better than (usually for the encore) the band strike up and you get a cover of a song you love but is not theirs. I think it shows a great sense of respect too.

02-01-2015, 05:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
piotrek255 Groupie Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5	Can artists perform covers of other songs at their live concert? Hi Can artists perform covers of other songs at their live concert? I'm talking about Kadebostany's Beyonce song cover "crazy in love" or Bastille's " Rhytm of the night " (this one i particularly like) Is there a situation when artists can perform covers on their concerts? can you name few of such situations? I never seen that happen Thanks

02-01-2015, 05:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	When they add it to their set lists. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

02-02-2015, 05:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rexx Shredd Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 158	It depends....In the USA, If the venue is covered by ASCAP or BMI, OR if the artist has a personal licencing account through ASCAP or BMI, then "Yes" , they can cover almost any song live legally...If an audio recording or video recording exists that the artist can profit from, additional rights must be obtained from the agency that owns publishing of the song, such as The William Morris Agency......... __________________ OK :) URBAN SHOKKER -- Old School P-Funk Style FUNK -- out NOW on Carbon 12 Records

02-02-2015, 06:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
Justice_Jane Groupie Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 22	So... is this a thread about whether artists CAN cover songs live, or whether they should? I'm no lawyer, so I don't know of the legalities, but I've seen enough bands perform covers that I'm pretty sure it's ok. It can also add a lot to a concert. That being said, there are some instances where using a cover instead of original material can seem a little lazy. When the artist doesn't bring anything new to the song, I would rather just listen to the original. But yeah, in general, I think performing a cover can really bring a good vibe to a show. __________________ [link removed by mod, no advertising]

02-02-2015, 10:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Happens all the time. Springsteen covers Waits's "Jersey girl", not to mention "Twist and shout", loads of others. Robbie Williams does U2's "One", and on it goes. Not even sure why this is a question. It's been happening forever. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

02-01-2015, 07:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Norg Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,358	No they cant if they do the copyright feds will rush the stage and slap dem Cuffs

02-01-2015, 08:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	Yes, they can. I've seen plenty of bands do it. I'm not the biggest biggest fan of Panic! but this cover is fantastic.