Why Pitchfork.tv’s “Don’t Look Down” Series Gets It Right

Pitchfork.tv launched a few weeks back and it features all the standards one would expect from a music oriented video portal – music videos, live shows, and even full on music documentaries (go watch Hated now; NSFW). One feature special to Pitchfork.tv is their ongoing “Don’t Look Down” series.

If you’re not familiar, here’s the premise: put bands on a NYC rooftop and record them playing four to six songs. The premise is simple and honestly seems like it would be a bit stale, but it ultimately works for several reasons.

First, the setting is perfect. A city rooftop has developed some sort of primal connection with music. The Beatles played the roof, U2 did too, and now it just seems right for bands to go wild on the top of a building. Perhaps the reason it’s so appealing is because it seems secret in public. One is entirely exposed yet hidden on a rooftop – the only indicator of a band jamming on a roof would be the muted sounds bouncing off the streets below. And by being able to watch roof performances the viewer feels they’re a part of something special, something that was in front of everyone but remained a secret.

Second, a rooftop set is void of audience members so you get to see what the band is made of because they need to put on a show for no one but themselves and the prospect of viewers. That doesn’t mean that a mellow set is inferior to a rabid one but; rather, it allows bands to show that they are performers regardless of the audience. And if a band can get it up for a rooftop set that’s only feedback comes from an AV crew you can bet they can do it when there is a crowd of fans feeding them energy.

And of course it is both shot and recorded expertly. Not to mention Pitchfork hasn’t skimped out on delivering the footage at high resolutions. The higher resolution footage allows for washed out yellows, or vibrant blues and pinks of sunset to stand out instead of being lost in the grainy mess that is YouTube. That also speaks to the fact Pitchfork.tv has decided to shoot at different times of day. Shots aren’t too frenetic, nor are they held for an inappropriate length of time because Stop Making Sense the series is not. But overall the finished product is just as fun to look at as it is to listen to.

Since it’s only spring there has been no inclement weather shoots, but I’m hoping Pitchfork and a special band or two decide to brave whatever mother nature throws at them because if they do the series has the potential to create some very memorable performances. Just imagine a set with thunder and lightning serving as the back drop. Diana Ross did it in Central Park and VH1 still talks about it – so for any bands looking to get on “I Love the 2000s,” “Don’t Look Down” may be your best chance.

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Pitchfork.tv’s “Don’t Look Down”

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