Entertainment: Is this how you play music?!

Chapter 456 The Amazing Band, News Erupts.

The judges' presentations concluded perfectly.

The competition has officially begun.

The preliminary selection was conducted in groups. The fifty-odd judges were divided into three groups to take turns serving as judges for the performances of the contestants in different groups. The group rotation took place on the third day, and what followed was temporarily irrelevant to Li Can.

Backstage, Li Can felt Xie Lang's intense gaze.

"Give me a score."

"Yes, it's in the backpack."

"Let me play it at the next concert."

"Okay, pay the protection fee, then you can play as much as you want."

The authorization was completed in just a few words.

Both of them were very happy.

In high spirits, Xie Lang also became interested in talking about other topics.

"Old Li, do you think Gangzi has a chance to compete for the championship this time?"

"Yes, in my opinion, the problem is no longer about individual ability, but about the tendency of mainstream theoretical ideas in the industry towards different styles and schools of thought."

Li Can nodded, then shook his head, and frankly said.

"Gangzi's strength is undoubtedly enough to get him into the semi-finals or higher, unless he encounters a player of Varian's caliber early on. At that level, he is already far ahead of the level of young performers. His personal strength doesn't have a big impact. What matters more is whether his style can be recognized as valuable by the mainstream in the industry."

"Value, indeed."

Xie Lang nodded.

It's not about whether a contestant's individual abilities can win the favor of the judges, but rather about "recognition".

Approval is not the same as agreement, much less liking.

Perhaps what you present is completely at the opposite extreme from what the judges like, but as long as it has "meaning," the judges will still give it a high score and acknowledge that your work is very "meaningful."

However, this "meaning" is a rather general concept.

If you're playing something that others have already played, then naturally people will compare you to others like you. If you don't have anything of your own and are just copying someone else's work, even if you do it very well, it will be difficult for your overall score to be high.

Unless it's a replica of a master like Li Can, and the replica is about 80% accurate.

However, if one can replicate 80% of the performance, there's no need to participate in the competition; the industry will automatically bestow upon him the title of "Little Li Can."

If what you're playing with is something that's rarely seen.

Even if it's somewhat controversial, as long as it surprises the judges and they can tell that your performance isn't just for show but has a unique personal core, your score generally won't be too low.

This is also a key reason why Li Can warned Chen Gang not to blindly imitate him.

"However, even if Chen Gang doesn't completely imitate you, he is still influenced by your style. Since the styles are similar, your influence is more dominant in this case."

Xie Lang's words elicited a mysterious smile from Li Can.

"My style? What style? Are you sure I have a fixed style?"

"?!"

Xie Lang suddenly turned around.

The eyes are different sizes.

Upon hearing Li Can's words, Xie Lang suddenly realized that Li Can's style was that of a completely unpredictable beast, or rather, his style was "expression".

When the focus is on emotion, express that emotion; when the focus is on artistic conception and connotation, express that artistic conception and connotation; when the focus is on technique, show off your technique fiercely, highlighting a pragmatic approach.

If I had to pinpoint a specific style, I honestly can't quite put my finger on it.

While there is a lot of passionate and unrestrained style, it is not without subtlety and depth.

There are conservative performances that respect the score, but there are also many flashy and groundbreaking ones.

Just like this "Jasmine Fantasy," it's a completely different style from the previous "Spanish Smugglers."

This kind of playing style is quite fatal for performers.

Because a variety of styles means an unstable impression.

Unfortunately, he is Li Can.

It has many iconic features, but they are all too strong.

Seemingly balanced and varied, Li Can is actually the most extreme, but the extremes he expresses in each of his works are completely different.

Such pianists do exist.

But they're usually crazy.

At the very least, his mind is definitely not quite right; he has some kind of split personality.

"Such crazy technique, yet so smooth, the performer must be Li Can, right?"

"Such delicate storytelling, is that Li Can?"

"This profound and weighty feeling, this passionate enthusiasm, must belong to Li Can."

Xie Lang was stunned and speechless.

Li Can is incredibly cunning.

Learn? Learn my ass.

Li Can is a true polyhedron.

Anyone who thinks Li Can has a style or school of thought will likely only be able to learn one aspect of it, at best forming a leader, but will never reach the level of the real Li Can.

For a moment, Xie Lang didn't want to talk about the piano competition anymore.

Is Chen Gang, personally trained by this person, truly the same Chen Gang he knew back then?

That's definitely not the case; there might be special treatment being given to them.

"What about Winnie?"

“What else did Winnie say? As long as she doesn’t play classical guitar like rock, the classical guitar group is just a bunch of bastards. There are only a few people, it’s a very small group.”

Xie Lang understood the logic, and knew it was impossible.

But for some reason, I just wanted to imagine it.

"Maybe Winnie will really take it as rock and roll? It's all about innovation!"

"You'd be better off creating something that kills people. Do you think your classical piano competition is going to have a jazz solo during the cadenza?"

“Winnie might not, but Winnie who is infected by Li Can might.”

"Get the hell out of here."

"."

Li Can remained silent for a moment, vaguely sensing something was wrong.

Li Can understood the logic, and knew it was impossible.

But in that instant, a vague sense of unease seemed to rise in my mind.

Winnie plays the guitar, and I'm very familiar with it; I listen to and watch her play almost every day.

When playing classical guitar, Winnie's style is vastly different from her stage presence; instead, it is a more traditional and steady Russian style.

But being young, Winnie would occasionally make guitar jokes with Li Can.

It's like being sick and finding out your classmate is the surgeon; even if you know they're a top student, you still feel uneasy.

"You take a look first, I have something to do outside."

After saying that, Li Can turned and left.

Xie Lang was stunned.

His expression shifted from stunned to surprised, and then from surprised to enlightened.

He then burst into a hearty laugh of victory.

"You're here so fast, don't you have a job?"

Winnie, who had just finished the audition, was quite surprised to see Li Can waiting for her outside.

"No, our group didn't have any tasks for the past two days. The auditions are conducted on a rotating basis. The judges' performances are over, and we don't have anything else to do, so we just waited for you."

Winnie looked thoughtfully at Li Can's expression.

I have a strong feeling that Li Can's expression looks exactly like someone who has found a toilet after having a stomachache.

I didn't ask much.

The two left discreetly. The venue was packed with people, not just athletes and their families, but also reporters, event staff, and others.

With everyone busy, unless someone is deliberately showing off or making a pre-planned grand spectacle, it shouldn't cause a huge reaction, even for Li Can.

After all, even some of the top contenders are well-known young performers in the industry. Not to mention the judging panel, which is full of experts. If someone is loud and boisterous, they will be ridiculed by the group for being "uncultured".

When I passed by some athletes, spectators, reporters, or event organizers who recognized me, I just smiled and nodded, and no one bothered me.

"Did you watch my audition?"

"Looked."

"Give me your opinion."

"I don't have much to say, but it feels like you're bullying people by participating in this competition."

Li Can's expression was indeed somewhat subtle.

There's a real sense that academic qualifications are somewhat indicative of ability within the band.

It's a bit outrageous that Li Can, the only person in the band with a doctoral degree, is participating in the competition.

Han Jiayin and Lin Feng already have some competition rankings, so this trip is just a chance to go abroad and level up halfway. They can choose not to compete or not; it's more like they're just taking a couple of trophies home on the way.

In reality, only three undergraduate students truly need high-intensity competition training.

Despite being called undergraduates, the three of them are already supermodel monsters.

But here's the problem: among the supermodels, there's one even more supermodel-like.

He already trusted Winnie completely.

I just glanced at her and Winnie's performance seemed even better, so I felt even more at ease.

"Right now, the only ones who are a little unstable are Ze Zi and Gang Zi. These two still need more training. I'm quite confident in the three of you."

"As for winning awards, it's just a bonus. After all, more awards can increase one's value. Putting the band aside, it just makes us more commercially competitive when doing scalping. Rankings aren't that important to us."

Li Can and Winnie seemed to take it all in stride.

After all, there's no need to be so upset.

Winning an award is awesome, but what if you don't? Can anyone still call you an idiot?
Obviously not.

It doesn't even qualify as a rollover.

Fans will only feel that even though he is so famous, he is still willing to participate in high-pressure competitions to seek improvement, and he doesn't care about his own burdens or airs, just to better improve his strength.

Let's not even talk about the entertainment sector.

Even professional musicians rarely dare to gamble with their fame like this; the truth is, the greater the fame, the more they cherish their reputation.

Five or six years ago, their poor performance might have been criticized as a matter of ability.

But what about now?
To dare to compete on a higher level and a more professional stage even after becoming famous is something that others cannot do.

Now that there's a safety net...

The members of the DP band truly pushed their limits.

In just two weeks, all participants passed the preliminary rounds and elimination rounds and entered the semi-final stage.

Going through the preliminary rounds and elimination rounds isn't particularly impressive in itself, but the key point is that there are just too many people.

Apart from Li Can, all the members participated in international music competitions and all advanced to the semi-finals. One or two might be doing it for face or for publicity, but when the whole group does it, the nature of the whole story changes.

Just as the group was fighting hard abroad and preparing for the upcoming semi-finals.

Related news has already begun to appear on websites both at home and abroad, and many news items have even become trending topics.

[An amazing band! They participated in a top-tier international music competition, and all members advanced to the semi-finals!]

[As expected of a part-time band, when the evil forces strike, it's a speedrun!]

[Leaving aside Li Can's spotlight, the true strength of the band members is on full display; there are no weaklings in DP Band!]

Star Media Entertainment wanted to keep a low profile.

But the current situation suggests that it's not something that can be kept low-key just because one wants to.

The entire band participated, achieving outstanding results with astonishing consistency.

Those who understood the prestige of the competition were the first to react with excitement.

[Holy crap, this is outrageous! If I were a member of the DP band, I'd probably just withdraw from the competition.]

Forget about the semifinals, I'd be lucky to even make it to the preliminary rounds.

[No, you're really just in a band part-time?!]

[Why the hell is this bassist signing up for a violin competition? Are there any bass players out there who can explain this? Are you all participating in violin competitions?]

[One more bass joke for you!]

[DP Band: Competition? I don't know! Fight! Awesome!]

More and more onlookers gathered.

Netizens began explaining the prestige of these competitions to curious passersby.

The article also listed some renowned masters who emerged from these competitions.

These renowned masters include many top-tier works that people often hear about but are unaware of.

After learning the prestige of the competition, even casual observers were shocked by DP Band's extravagant spending.

A publicity stunt?

Are you kidding me? What kind of show can be done to this extent?

This is just a show.

The news became increasingly popular.

Fans continued to enjoy the gossip as always.

Because of the news' popularity, even passersby who weren't interested in entertainment news couldn't help but take a second look.

How can an entire band compete separately, and all of them stand out in international competitions?

This is something I absolutely have to find out about.

An ordinary person who never paid attention to the music scene was greatly shocked after becoming curious and learning more about it.

Through magical conversations with fans, many began to become fans themselves.

Who is this? Anyone with a big penis, please explain.

Don't you know DP? They're the founders of the gaming industry's "big sick zone," a band that's famous all over the world.

I don't follow the entertainment industry much. By the way, what is the "big sick ward"? I don't understand if I don't play games.

[As You Wish, Born Stubborn]

【Huh?! Holy crap! It's them? Holy crap, I really know that.】

【Numb】

[Holy crap, I just realized this is my favorite song! I just never follow celebrities. Damn, I've actually heard it before!]

[Lin Feng wishes everyone a belated Happy New Year.jpg]

[Holy crap! Is the person in this meme also from this band?! Me?!]

[Ode to Joy is hailed as an epic chapter in human music, performed by top orchestras from multiple countries around the world.]

【what? 】

I really like a line from a passerby, "Huh?" Here's another one for you: "You Sold Your Xylophone" and "I Am a Reverse Butterfly."

【Huh? No, is this right?】

[And this one, you're probably familiar with it from scrolling through short videos: "All My People" and "The dim streetlights can't illuminate the whole street, no matter how hard I try, I can't reach your heart."]

[Holy crap, I'm getting this in my head! Is this all the work of one person? No, wait, is this something a whole band did?!]

How can I dodge this? I can't avoid it!!

The fans were all smiles.

Looking at these passersby who were utterly shocked by the abstract cultural history that he had popularized, it was as if he were seeing his past self.

From being completely baffled and puzzled, to being astonished and shocked, and finally speechless at its abstract nature.

Finally, abandon your mind and become a happy, abstract being.

Exactly the same.

(End of this chapter)