-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Photos and Video - New UK Pavilion band - The English Channel
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
71jason
Well-Known Member
They seem to always close with Sgt Peppers (with a little Hey Jude thrown in). Also did Live & Let Die, which is close.
captainkidd
Well-Known Member
Glad they replaced them quickly, but as is common with Disney lately, they're missing the point. The British Invasion was special because it brought people of all ages over there. Everybody knows (and most love, Beatles tunes). The same can't be said (sorry fans) of Led Zeppelin and The Who.
Video here http://www.wdwmagic.com/Videos.htm
rodserling27
Well-Known Member
I agree with you to an extent. Nothing comes close to the popularity of the Beatles, and no other bands transcend generations the way they do. But I think zeppelin and the Who are two of the most important bands of the 20th century, so it will be nice for young people to get turned on to bands like that, but it was a bad move replacing the Beatles act.
This new act also really has no cohesiveness. The British Invasion really played up the parts, stayed in character, the whole show had a common theme, whether it was Sgt. Pepper-era, or Ed Sullivan days. These new dudes just seem like a bunch of...if I may...Jabronis....rocking out on stage.
Sorry Disney, I try not to complain often, but this was a bad call.
I'll miss the British Invasion!
dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
Is there any other act (musical or otherwise) at WDW now that doesn't currently have a theme, or at least a gimmick? Everything else I can think of is unique in some way. Outside of the drummers t-shirt, I don't see anything that says these guys aren't just some cover band playing Thursday night at a local bar. Heck, dress em up as members of the B__________gham Palace guard, then they at least kinda fit the area. It just seems a bit underwhelming. I imagine they will change and gel with time, but for now they just look a bit out of place.
scbb11Sketch
Active Member
Sorry but I'm going to disagree. I have yet to meet anyone, young or old, that doesn't know songs by Led Zeppelin or The Who. There's a reason The Who played the halftime show of the Super Bowl a few years ago. They resonate with all generations, people from different countries, and they have a universal sound. And then look at popular media: Led Zeppelin has their songs on so many commercials and The Who are on every CSI iteration. You just don't hear Beatles songs anymore. Not that that is a reason to get rid of an act that does a great job performing, but to say that Zeppelin and The Who don't resonate with people of all ages and bring in crowds is a mistake. I'm sure this new group will get the same amount of attention, if not more.
wolf359
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the video!
Even though the British Invasion played more than just Beatles songs, I think going to a broader "Greatest Hits of British Music" format is the way to go.
I really liked the British Invasion but I always thought it was a little odd to focus on such a narrow window of time and style of music when there are SO many great British bands to draw from.
I think Disney has taken what could have been a sad situation in losing a band with such a long history and turned it into an opportunity to create a show with even broader appeal.
Even though the British Invasion played more than just Beatles songs, I think going to a broader "Greatest Hits of British Music" format is the way to go.
I really liked the British Invasion but I always thought it was a little odd to focus on such a narrow window of time and style of music when there are SO many great British bands to draw from.
I think Disney has taken what could have been a sad situation in losing a band with such a long history and turned it into an opportunity to create a show with even broader appeal.
71jason
Well-Known Member
Both of these points nail it. It comes off feeling like a random collection of cover songs that when you think about, oh yeah, they're all by British bands. It really goes from Queen into Dave Clarke 5 into LedZep into the Police.
And as I mentioned in another thread, arena rock just doesn't fir the venue (a little gazebo in an English garden). TBI played up the harmonies of the early Beatles, and wore the cutsie costumes. The "theatrics" that go along with arena rock songs--and these guys never met a rock cliche they didn't love--just seem out of place and crowded. I do think they're somewhat talented and very charismatic--they just need a different venue.
mickeymatt
Active Member
That was my impression also.
kcnole
Well-Known Member
I actually really like the band as they're pretty good, but they're just 4 guys playing music. All the other acts are dressed like their country at least and the old band played up the british look. If they could somehow look the part a bit more I'd like it better. Maybe make them all wear bad british shirts, have british flag guitars, or something just to play the look up a bit.
captainkidd
Well-Known Member
The Black Eyed Peas played the Halftime Show this year. Do you think anyone over the age of 40 knows, or cares who they are? The Who's halftime performance is widely known as being an embarrassment to the band.
You're not honestly trying to tell me that Led Zeppelin or The Who are as well known as The Beatles, are you?
All bands resonate with different ages to some extent, but Zeppelin and especially The Who, don't resonate nearly as much with a younger crowd.
Zeppelin and The Who, combined, have sold 300 million records. The Beatles have sold over 1 billion.
The Beatles are the biggest musical act of all time. No one even comes close. Period.
captainkidd
Well-Known Member
I'm not impressed with this band. They remind me of some local guys I'd see at a run down pub.
They should have just gone for another Beatles Tribute band.
They should have just gone for another Beatles Tribute band.
stratman50th
Well-Known Member
Listening to these guys with a critical ear, um, they ain't all that. They're a mediocre bar band at best. Maybe they'll come in to their own as the play there more. Take what I say with a grain of salt though because I'm probably over critical of bands. To the average person walking by and listening for a few minutes I guess they're ok.
EDIT: Actually, the instruments are played well, it's just the singing and stage presence I'm having a problem with.
The audio on this vid is really good. I'd love to know what was used to record it. Sounds like its directly from the sound board?
EDIT: Actually, the instruments are played well, it's just the singing and stage presence I'm having a problem with.
The audio on this vid is really good. I'd love to know what was used to record it. Sounds like its directly from the sound board?
Disneygal24
Member
I like it! I mean we love Beatles music and when we take road trips we make sure to pack the Beatles CDs but I love the inclusion of other great British bands...kinda cool they did some Queen!
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
Listening to these guys with a critical ear, um, they ain't all that. They're a mediocre bar band at best. Maybe they'll come in to their own as the play there more. Take what I say with a grain of salt though because I'm probably over critical of bands. To the average person walking by and listening for a few minutes I guess they're ok.
EDIT: Actually, the instruments are played well, it's just the singing and stage presence I'm having a problem with.
The audio on this vid is really good. I'd love to know what was used to record it. Sounds like its directly from the sound board?
Everyone needs to give them a break...they're brand new. Who knows how much these guys performed together before they came to Epcot. Even if they have performed together for a while they are getting used to a new show, new surroundings, new environment, etc. We have no idea what their show will be tweaked like, what costumes they may get, what the stage may become, etc. Start the complaining if you still don't like them in a year, but not after one show that the majority are basing solely on video.
stratman50th
Well-Known Member
Actually, I did give them a break. Understand that music is a big part of my life, and anything I post is an opinion of mine alone. Also, they're up there doing it now, and I'm not any longer, so I'll give that to them.
If they haven't been playing together long, I have a few problem with throwing a band together and sending them out on stage to play a professional venue if that is in fact what they did. It isn't fair to the audience. Now it could be said that the audience isn't paying for the show so it doesn't have to be tight. I disagree, but again, my opinion only.
I'll repeat, they do play their instruments well and I respect that skill. SOS sounded good. As far as giving them a year to be professionals, no sir. Just because World Showcase is a captive audience doesn't mean the show shouldn't be the best it should be.
Empress Room
Active Member
Steve (or anyone who may know):
Several other forum sites have reported that the replacement band for the British Invasion was going to be "The British Airwaves," yet this seems to suggest that the replacement band is actually "The English Channel." Is this a change of plans/bands, or were folks simply misinformed? Is The English Channel the exclusive band that will play the United Kingdom stage in Epcot or is it possible that it will be splitting time with The British Airwaves?
Several other forum sites have reported that the replacement band for the British Invasion was going to be "The British Airwaves," yet this seems to suggest that the replacement band is actually "The English Channel." Is this a change of plans/bands, or were folks simply misinformed? Is The English Channel the exclusive band that will play the United Kingdom stage in Epcot or is it possible that it will be splitting time with The British Airwaves?
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
I'm not specifically picking you out, but do you think all of the acts at Epcot, WDW, or any other entertainment venue don't have some bugs to work out when they are starting? If Disney had thrown the tag "preview" on to this would people be complaining about it as much? They should get the opportunity to work through some growing pains before the critics here label them as a failure from their viewing of one video.