poetic jess

YES

Baby has to know that we all love her and she's fantastic and amazing and brilliant and that she has nothing to doubt regarding herself. I hope she doesn't think like that.

Another thing she could do is play different versions of the songs she seems to be obsessed with. I'd love a slower, sadder version of Summertime Sadness, a heavier, more hard rock version of OTTR, and I mean I'm in love with the orchestral version of Born To Die. She could change up the lyrics a little bit, consciously this time... It would be cool imo.

Sometimes I get a feeling that she thinks she's a one hit wonder. She always hangs onto Video Games in interviews and at one point at a LATTM show she said something like "if you're a real fan, I know some people had been brought here by friends, you know..." blah blah. Like. It's your tour. Your fans are here, stans or not!
 
I genuinely get a vibe that she herself thinks she burned out in people's eyes. Idk

i think everyone agrees SS needs to go but is anyone else tired of blue jeans

I think (hope) she was letting them decide this time just for fun, and maybe for them to play the songs they enjoy playing (and suspect the audience wants to hear).

I dream of the day she does a small intimate venue tour. The backing track has to go. Her back-up dancers are fine to me- but only with the more upbeat songs. What she truly needs is back-up singers like others have said. Video Games can be the BTD staple, and like you guys said she can rotate b/w Born to Die, Blue Jeans, and Summertime Sadness as the second BTD song (throw in Million Dollar Man if she does the intimate venue thing). Idc how popular that album may be, but it's no excuse to ignore the 5 albums after that   (I'm including Paradise~ I just wanna hear a live version of Bel Air). 
 
As for her vocals, although I enjoyed her performances when I went to see her three times, and I think she did improve during the LATTMT, I still think having a vocal coach wouldn't hurt. My show was great, but those recent live streamed festival shows reveal the flaws in her performances when she's having an off day. And she's been having a lot. It's confidence- but there's also that comfort zone that she settles into too much. It's disappointing when she relies too much on the backing track or points the microphone to the audience during half of a song. It's the same with meeting fans during the barricade. I'm happy she gets to see the same faces that make her feel at home whenever she tours, but what about the people who wait for hours to meet her for the first time, who want to give her gifts, or express how her music makes them feel in passing? Why ask the audience for a song request when she's going to sing whats already planned on the setlist? Also, maybe it was off camera, but why doesn't she give input when creating the setlist? Why does she leave it up to her band and dancers? 
 
I know it's scary to get out of your comfort zone when you have some form of anxiety, but this is a recent thought I've been having given my personal circumstances- sometimes we have to do what we're scared of in order to overcome it. Not challenging yourself means hindering progression. It doesn't happen over night, but things get easier to do. And I think that's what happened with Lana- whether it's in the studio or on stage, she's still having problems because of her internal issues. She's confident in her demeanor, but not in her decision-making. And because of that, others who may not have her best interest, or who gave in being "yes men", allow these issues to go on. That could probably be said about other artists too. And I'm sure we could give her credit for changing it up with dancers and putting more thought onto the stage design, but do those things matter when fans start to notice something's off about the effort shown in your performance? Anyway... idk maybe I'm thinking about this too much. lol  

I dream of the day she does a small intimate venue tour. The backing track has to go. Her back-up dancers are fine to me- but only with the more upbeat songs. What she truly needs is back-up singers like others have said. Video Games can be the BTD staple, and like you guys said she can rotate b/w Born to Die, Blue Jeans, and Summertime Sadness as the second BTD song (throw in Million Dollar Man if she does the intimate venue thing). Idc how popular that album may be, but it's no excuse to ignore the 5 albums after that   (I'm including Paradise~ I just wanna hear a live version of Bel Air). 
 
As for her vocals, although I enjoyed her performances when I went to see her three times, and I think she did improve during the LATTMT, I still think having a vocal coach wouldn't hurt. My show was great, but those recent live streamed festival shows reveal the flaws in her performances when she's having an off day. And she's been having a lot. It's confidence- but there's also that comfort zone that she settles into too much. It's disappointing when she relies too much on the backing track or points the microphone to the audience during half of a song. It's the same with meeting fans during the barricade. I'm happy she gets to see the same faces that make her feel at home whenever she tours, but what about the people who wait for hours to meet her for the first time, who want to give her gifts, or express how her music makes them feel in passing? Why ask the audience for a song request when she's going to sing whats already planned on the setlist? Also, maybe it was off camera, but why doesn't she give input when creating the setlist? Why does she leave it up to her band and dancers? 
 
I know it's scary to get out of your comfort zone when you have some form of anxiety, but this is a recent thought I've been having given my personal circumstances- sometimes we have to do what we're scared of in order to overcome it. Not challenging yourself means hindering progression. It doesn't happen over night, but things get easier to do. And I think that's what happened with Lana- whether it's in the studio or on stage, she's still having problems because of her internal issues. She's confident in her demeanor, but not in her decision-making. And because of that, others who may not have her best interest, or who gave in being "yes men", allow these issues to go on. That could probably be said about other artists too. And I'm sure we could give her credit for changing it up with dancers and putting more thought onto the stage design, but do those things matter when fans start to notice something's off about the effort shown in your performance? Anyway... idk maybe I'm thinking about this too much. lol  

I dream of the day she does a small intimate venue tour. The backing track has to go. Her back-up dancers are fine to me- but only with the more upbeat songs. What she truly needs is back-up singers like others have said. Video Games can be the BTD staple, and like you guys said she can rotate b/w Born to Die, Blue Jeans, and Summertime Sadness as the second BTD song (throw in Million Dollar Man if she does the intimate venue thing). Idc how popular that album may be, but it's no excuse to ignore the 5 albums after that   (I'm including Paradise~ I just wanna hear a live version of Bel Air). 
 
As for her vocals, although I enjoyed her performances when I went to see her three times, and I think she did improve during the LATTMT, I still think having a vocal coach wouldn't hurt. My show was great, but those recent live streamed festival shows reveal the flaws in her performances when she's having an off day. And she's been having a lot. It's confidence- but there's also that comfort zone that she settles into too much. It's disappointing when she relies too much on the backing track or points the microphone to the audience during half of a song. It's the same with meeting fans during the barricade. I'm happy she gets to see the same faces that make her feel at home whenever she tours, but what about the people who wait for hours to meet her for the first time, who want to give her gifts, or express how her music makes them feel in passing? Why ask the audience for a song request when she's going to sing whats already planned on the setlist? Also, maybe it was off camera, but why doesn't she give input when creating the setlist? Why does she leave it up to her band and dancers? 
 
I know it's scary to get out of your comfort zone when you have some form of anxiety, but this is a recent thought I've been having given my personal circumstances- sometimes we have to do what we're scared of in order to overcome it. Not challenging yourself means hindering progression. It doesn't happen over night, but things get easier to do. And I think that's what happened with Lana- whether it's in the studio or on stage, she's still having problems because of her internal issues. She's confident in her demeanor, but not in her decision-making. And because of that, others who may not have her best interest, or who gave in being "yes men", allow these issues to go on. That could probably be said about other artists too. And I'm sure we could give her credit for changing it up with dancers and putting more thought onto the stage design, but do those things matter when fans start to notice something's off about the effort shown in your performance? Anyway... idk maybe I'm thinking about this too much. lol  

I dream of the day she does a small intimate venue tour. The backing track has to go. Her back-up dancers are fine to me- but only with the more upbeat songs. What she truly needs is back-up singers like others have said. Video Games can be the BTD staple, and like you guys said she can rotate b/w Born to Die, Blue Jeans, and Summertime Sadness as the second BTD song (throw in Million Dollar Man if she does the intimate venue thing). Idc how popular that album may be, but it's no excuse to ignore the 5 albums after that   (I'm including Paradise~ I just wanna hear a live version of Bel Air). 
 
As for her vocals, although I enjoyed her performances when I went to see her three times, and I think she did improve during the LATTMT, I still think having a vocal coach wouldn't hurt. My show was great, but those recent live streamed festival shows reveal the flaws in her performances when she's having an off day. And she's been having a lot. It's confidence- but there's also that comfort zone that she settles into too much. It's disappointing when she relies too much on the backing track or points the microphone to the audience during half of a song. It's the same with meeting fans during the barricade. I'm happy she gets to see the same faces that make her feel at home whenever she tours, but what about the people who wait for hours to meet her for the first time, who want to give her gifts, or express how her music makes them feel in passing? Why ask the audience for a song request when she's going to sing whats already planned on the setlist? Also, maybe it was off camera, but why doesn't she give input when creating the setlist? Why does she leave it up to her band and dancers? 
 
I know it's scary to get out of your comfort zone when you have some form of anxiety, but this is a recent thought I've been having given my personal circumstances- sometimes we have to do what we're scared of in order to overcome it. Not challenging yourself means hindering progression. It doesn't happen over night, but things get easier to do. And I think that's what happened with Lana- whether it's in the studio or on stage, she's still having problems because of her internal issues. She's confident in her demeanor, but not in her decision-making. And because of that, others who may not have her best interest, or who gave in being "yes men", allow these issues to go on. That could probably be said about other artists too. And I'm sure we could give her credit for changing it up with dancers and putting more thought onto the stage design, but do those things matter when fans start to notice something's off about the effort shown in your performance? Anyway... idk maybe I'm thinking about this too much. lol  

Velvet Apparel is currently having a sale on Lana’s Buttwiser t-shirt from her Ride video! I’d get one if I didn’t just spend all my money on Hozier... https://www.etsy.com/se-en/listing/486337562/buttwiser-t-shirt?ref=related-1

STUNNING

Lana needs to be left alone to do her thing. I think when too much happens on stage, she loses her 'vibe'. She needs to be at the centre of everything. And also, singing the same damn songs must bore her to hell and back. I know it's her job, but when your music is written during very emotional times, singing them can bring up old memories and it can be very draining.
 
And years and years, people kept questioning whether she was an artist, her authenticity, etc. Now she's just 'meh' @ everything.
 
I wish she'd be meh @ everything except her live shows where her fans come to see her. She can avoid the media and social media all she wants but her fans come to see her to support her.
 
What you said about her movement on stage is also so true. Before, I think she moved...Lana-ish. Like it was her thing to be kinda awkward, cute and sensual at the same time. She just had something about her. Now she's just yikes.

I completely agree with what you said here, I think she's lost her spark and it shows. You could tell at first she was so shocked & grateful to be performing for all these people, to have so many adoring fans screaming her name, shouting how much they love her -and I bet she was also worried she'd lose it all if she didn't keep fighting for it. But the very thing she spent years chasing, fame, ended up making her miserable instead of happy. Negative and often spiteful criticism, the typical invasion of privacy from paps all celebs have to deal with, stalkers, creeps, backstabbing hoes and clout chasers.... I think they ruined it for her. And I'm sure a lot has happened that we don't even know about, both in her personal and professional life. She spent years fucking with mostly younger, less successful men, who treated her quite badly. She hasn't had a baby yet, which is something she has wanted for years. Several projects of hers have fallen through, and she hasn't achieved half of what she should. We can only speculate as to why that is. It could be laziness/flakiness, it could be anxiety, or there could even be people in the industry causing her problems and actively sabotaging her. A lot could be going on behind the scenes that could have her feeling frustrated, tired, and doubting herself. I hope it's just a phase she will eventually get over <3

I mostly think it might be because she has gotten so used to doing ballads or slow songs, that some songs just don't work with her voice right now.
 
2011 Lana could pull through her baby voice nicely on song like OTTR because she was still recording songs with her baby voice around that time, for example Making Out, plus she had used it a bunch from 2010-2011.
 
Imho songs like OTTR, Paradise or National Anthem NEED that baby voice if you're trying to replicate the studio version, If she stripped fro example National Anthem like she did on iTunes Fetsival in 2012, maybe the song would have worked way better with her 2018 voice, but nah we ended up with messes like this:
 

Her peak was the endless summer tour and from there everything just went downhill

Well, I think there definetly was a slight intention to spice up her shows a bit so in 2016 she got her dancers to just experiment, see how it works, but then things just developped and here we are.
As for her vocals, I definetly think it was a natural shift, you know. I doubt people criticizing her voice had any effect on that, cause she was ripped to shreds in 2012 and she still sang that way a lot after that. But she just grew as an artist and her voice grew with her. I guess she gained a lot more confidence over the years too and that played a part in her vocal shift 

So... if I can bring back my original question so this thread doesn’t become a black hole of negativity, why do you guys think she changed the way she sings on stage? (And I suppose she hasn’t changed it with intention)

Oh fuck, you're right, it was that other performance where she looked almost exactly the same, the dress was like a dark blue, with tiny flowers, but her hair looked the same
sorry
 
It was Lollapallooza Chile 2018 

^this right here is what I think about when I see fans gush about "new, confident lana" vs "old, nervous mess lana"
 
like did y'all completely miss 2013-2015 and actually most of 2012 too? she did seem quite shy and anxious on stage during the first few months of the BTD tour but i honestly can't think of more than a handful of instances where she messed up. and 2013-2015 lana was fucking KILLING IT
 
i think some people are confusing boredom & aloofness with confidence, bc the last thing she seems to me is confident these days

Yeah, I think the purest performance we've gotten from her lately was How to Disappear. Probably because she actually relates to those lyrics at this point in her life.

I really miss her passion, if she's still expressing the same passion when on stage I'm personally missing it every time. It doesn't look like she's overwhelmed, or having fun, or nervous. She's just there- like Clampi said she used to be out there cry-singing or smiling with certain lines and it didn't matter that there were no dancers or props because she was so present and expressive. It's like her own lyrics don't effect her anymore, her own story doesn't effect her anymore- and if it doesn't that's fine! She's years away from Lizzy, so I wish she would fill sets with songs she connects with, that bring out emotion in her now.
 
I loved when she would dance around the stage but it wasn't choreographed, when she just did what she felt and went with the moment. I loved seeing her at Lolla Brazil last year, I think we got a little taste of that Lana back. She looked like she was having fun and not trying to hit choreographed or pre-planned movements around the stage.
 
I know I'm out here beating a dead horse lmao

Why do people apologize for critiquing her live shows? If you pay to hear her sing live and she's barely singing, don't you deserve a refund? Or at the very least, the right to complain lmao
 
Hearing how people save up money to see her and then get subpar performances is sad. You paid money to see her, yes you are entitled to a good performance that had effort put into it.
 
Her older performances were really good, where she gets into the song and she's alone on stage. Her vocals were unique, everything was uniquely Lana. From the dropping down low during body electric, the way her hands would move during songs and her hugging her lead guitarist during solos. It's sad to see how 'dead' she's become. I think criticism over time really wore her down. She's also mentioned having health problems.
 
And god, digressing but her performances on that one french show, she looked impossibly beautiful. I'm always sad I got into Lana so late that I completely missed 2012 Lana. OH AND THAT ICONIC LANA AT THE SWEDEN SHOW, where she does The Hairflip during Cola. RIP that Lana.

if shed only switch up the setlist, lower the volume of the backing track and actually sang OTTR her shows would be perfect. though i always love going to them

(copy/pasting something i posted on a different thread, but i mean i stand by this):
 
i wish she'd go back to singing in smaller venues, it feels more intimate and she seems far more comfortable performing like that. all the fans defending her dancers say she's more at ease & confident with them on stage with her, but she's never looked more awkward or out of place imo... there's just something incredibly awkward, disorganized and often robotic about the way they all...move. because you can't really call it dancing lmao. and she moves like a puppet on a string
 
i know this is going to sound mean but i can't help but cringe now every time i hear her call herself "dance queen" in some of her older songs