Lorde Sober Live Performance Analysis

To help me understand how to construct an effective live performance, I decided to analyse the live cover performance of Lorde 'Sober'- our chosen song. This will help me decide which themes will be appropriate to recreate and what tones I want to create. 

Makeup and Costume:

In the music video, Lorde is wearing the costume of a white dress. The white dress contrasts the low key lighting creating binary opposition of light v dark which conforms to Levi Straus’ theory. The fact she is also represented as being ‘light’ creates the connotation that she is pure and good. This can also have symbolic meaning of her being represented as an ‘angel’ and she is being trapped by the darkness.  This can also conform to Deborah Holdsteins theory that the artists are always used as political mediators and messengers as angels are often seen as messengers. This allows the audience to connect with her as she is seen as a symbol of peace and a ‘mother figure’ to guide them in times of need. The natural makeup (from what the audience can see due to the lighting) again adds to the innocence and purity theme. Overall the makeup and costume conforms to Lordes brand identity as she can again be perceived to be almost ‘supernatural’ and very eccentric. She is challenging the stereotypical costume of indie videos.

Props:

The only prop used throughout the video are candles. There are multiple candles from the establishing shot to the final shot. The candles have the symbolic connotations of hope, light and purity again. This can also be linked with the semiotic codes of the lyrics which suggest she is trapped with something or someone ‘tying yourself to me’. The candle is seen as being the light in the darkness that consumes the majority of each frame throughout the video. It is also significant of the close up of the close up of Lordes face silhouetted in the foreground of the frame with shallow focus showing the candles in the background. This can suggest that Lorde is the one preventing herself from ‘reaching the light in the darkness’ as the is creating a physical barrier towards the light. This is consistent with the lyrics as throughout she talks of a conflict between loving something/someone and knowing it isn’t right for her. The also creates the enigma code that the rest of the lyrics will discuss her trying to overcome this obstacle.

The use of the instruments shown throughout the video conforms to the codes and conventions of live performances. This can show how raw and sincere Lorde is being and can increase the audiences respect for her as a singer as they believe that they are witnessing her talent first hand.

Miss en scene:

The setting of a church has been used. This is connoted by the candles, having religious connotations and the arches and pillars. This creates the tone that Lorde is having a conflict. This is backed up by the binary opposition, her being a physical block for the light and her being represented as an angel (all previously discussed). Therefore, the whole song can be seen as being her ‘confession’ and begging for help as she is trying to explain her internal conflict. This also creates a positive ideology that it is okay to ask for help. Also when her audience see her opening up, the can relate and therefore feel they can do the same.

Camera movements:

Throughout the video, a lot of close ups are used on Lorde. This can create a physically closeness of the audience and Lorde which can suggest how intimate this moment is for her; her emotions and thoughts are genuine. This can also help the audience create a relationship with Lorde as they believe she trusts them and is comfortable with them. There are also a lot of close ups used of the instruments being played, which again, conforms to the codes and conventions of live performances. This conforms to Goodwin’s theory that there is a relationship between the visuals and sound, as the relevant instrument is shown as it is heard. This helps to emphasise certain sound effects to make it seem more dramatic and dimensional which the indie genre would enjoy.

Many of the shots are hand held shots. This creates a sense to the viewer that they are in the room watching Lorde and it is a viewpoint of someone in the room. This allows them to feel closer to Lorde and empathise with her more.

Overall, the majority of the shots show Lorde which conforms to Dyers Star Theory which suggests the majority of music videos show mainly the artist as it allows them to develop their brand identity and gain credit through recognition of their image. 

How has this helped me?
After watching the live performance of the song we have chosen to create a music video for, I now have a better understanding of what is included in a live performance. As our research suggested, our target audience enjoy a mixture of live performance and narrative in a music video, we will have to recreate something similar to this. After watching this video, I am again made aware that the artist has to be represented in consistency with their brand image. Also, that the lighting, tone and miss en scene should have a relationship with the tone etc of the lyrics, conforming majorly to Goodwin's Star Theory.