Live Music, Yay Or Nay?

I love music. It fills my life, gives me meaning, a way to express myself, calms me, makes me cry, laugh, think, rejoice and so much more. And honestly, all music does that. Even the bad. Even genres which well... don't really go with my musical taste move me. I'm generally talking about the CD versions of songs though. I have a big love/hate thing going with live music. Maxime of Eurout fame reminded me today that there are some live performances I love. Just today I was listening to a live performance of Unsung by Vanessa Carlton.

The movie quality is for crap but Goddess, her voice! There are so many great examples of live performances and it truly does add another dimension to a song. At least sometimes. And with some artists. 

Does anyone remember the days when music was about the music and in order to make music, you needed the ability to sing? I mean, I'm only 23 now and even I remember it. I have a radio show that I do once a week. It's a 90's show but I do get to hear an awfully big amount of 'new music'. Some of it is good like this:

and then there is this:

Look, I have nothing against Taylor Swift and if you like it, be my guest. Love it, listen to it, buy albums and go to concerts. But then, don't expect me to ever be there. Besides the fact that she sounds like an Avril Lavigne ripoff there is also this:

and that is just awful. Sorry to say.

So there is my problem. Music nowadays hardly fits my standards, at least not when it comes to live performances. And I have to say that a bad live performance can totally ruin a song for me. All I can think about (yes, using TS as an example again) is that awful performance with that awful voice and that lackluster face. I will never be able to listen to said song again. And that is fine if I didn't like the song to begin with but if it's a song I like/love... it can really mess up my day to watch a live performance.

I therefor steer clear of live performances unless they are recommended to me. Still, it saddens me because I know what a good live performance can do to me emotionally. So to answer my topic title: Live music: Yay if you can sing else just lip sync. Please. Don't embarrass yourself by trying to sing while you can't. It only ruins the song and that, in my humble and honest opinion is what music is about: the song. Not the singer.