Calling all AI music creators.

Let’s be real: there’s a big misconception that AI music is automatically “slop.” And yeah—some of it is. If someone lets the model spit out messy lyrics, mass-generates tracks with zero intention, and never curates or rewrites, that’s not craft. That’s content spam. I won’t argue that.

But that’s not the whole scene.

There are hundreds—maybe thousands—of serious AI music creators who do put heart into what they make: writing lyrics, refining structure, re-recording vocals, adding live instruments, mixing with care, and building a real identity and sound.

So here’s a bold idea to break the “all AI music is slop” narrative:

What if we put on our own AI music festival?

A one-night showcase, or even a weekend mini-festival. A community-built event where we pool resources—money, gear, skills, and time—and create something real, collaborative, and unforgettable.

How it could work • Each creator gets a set performance slot. • If you write lyrics, you can perform them live. • If you play instruments, you can back other artists live—guitar, bass, drums, keys, whatever fits the song. • We match the tempo and arrangement of the generated track, but bring it to life with human performance and stage energy. • We turn “AI music” into a proper live experience.

A lot of people in this community already play guitar, bass, drums, piano, and more. That’s a huge advantage. We could create mixed “house bands” or rotating player teams to support multiple creators across the night.

What I can bring

For example: I’m confident singing my own material. And when others perform—especially harder rock or aggressive country—I can handle tech and stage enhancements: fog/smoke, lighting cues, simple effects, and overall production polish to elevate your set.

Why this matters

We can’t rely on streams alone to change minds. AI music won’t be taken seriously until we show the world we’re serious about it.

And honestly? We shouldn’t even do this only to prove something to outsiders. We should do this for us: • to get our music in front of real people, • to build connections, • to grow as artists, • and to make something bigger than what any of us can pull off alone.

“But what if nobody shows up?”

I don’t buy that.

People love discovering local and niche acts they’ve never heard of. I still go to small bars and open mic nights to hear unknown musicians—and some of them became my favorites.

We can start small and smart: • small bars • independent venues • community art spaces • a rented hall • or even someone’s backyard for a pilot showcase

A practical path to making this real

If we want this to actually happen, here’s a simple plan: 1. Start with a pilot event (8–12 artists, 1-night showcase). 2. Create a small organizing team for: • venue outreach • scheduling/lineup • sound/tech • promotion 3. Set basic standards to keep the quality high: • lyrics reviewed/edited • minimum performance prep • clear credits for any co-writers or collaborators 4. Build a shared “AI Festival House Band” roster of volunteer musicians. 5. Promote like a real local show: • flyers • local event pages • short performance clips • teaser reels • community invites

We don’t need perfection on day one. We need momentum.

If we stop bickering about whose AI music is “better” and start building something together, we can create the kind of moment that changes the conversation.

If you’re interested, comment with what you can contribute: • vocals • instruments • mixing/mastering • stage tech • video/photography • graphic design • venue leads • promotional help

Even if this starts as a small local showcase, it could grow into something real.

Let’s make the first AI music festival that feels less like a debate… and more like a movement.

Also feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments.

  • Real talk, that’s a ChatGPT post, right?

    parent

    Nope. This a real idea I thought of today.

    parent root

    did you type all that?

    parent root

    obviously they didn’t ahaha, AI being created gives society such a good idea of how many idiots there truly are. gone are the days people thought for themselves 🤣

    parent root

    • <——- those are a giveaway. The only time I ever see the • is with chat gpt.

    parent root

    The em dashes with no spaces on either end are the big giveaway for me. I went to journalism school and we actually learned that as proper style, which is why ChatGPT writes that way, but no human who isn't being paid to write does, me included.

    parent root

    But couldn't be bothered to write it without AI.

    parent root

  • do you mean like an outdoor festival?

    parent

  • The thing is, AI music is already being performed live all over the place, the artists just don't admit it.

    parent

    The industry has been using AI, auto-tune, and ghostwriting for years.

    parent root

  • Cool idea. I'm no spring chicken anymore and not in good enough health to do a performance these days. It's one of the reasons I make music with AI now. My days of schlepping gear and headbanging on stage are in the rear view. I do consider getting together some hired guns to perform live should my virtual band ever get to that point but that seems far off if ever.

    parent

  • I couldn't agree less

    parent

  • You know the bots from the promoted distrokid can't come right? Not to be mean but until you have known (even locally) names and a number of listeners per city that would fill up a venue why would you? I mean you could but if your goal is to show how great it is a flop would look really bad and if some anti ais are in there and snap some pics it (and in extensios all similar projects) will be pointed and laughed at.

    Try to start with a 6 hour night one in one of your local rentable pubs or smallrooms in clubs and see if you can fill it with your friens/supporters and the friends of the othe prompters. If you can pack it and it's good then you can risk a slightly larger venue and you build up from there and if you have demand you bring them a small one day festival, then a two day one.then a two day on a larger plot.

    You can't generate a festival out of nothing, there's no shortcuts here buddy

    parent

  • This would be a better idea as a livestream. And much easier to put on. I have friends that have put on festivals and it's a lot of work. And the bands have audiences they bring. And AI music creators come from all over the world, you'd have to find locals to start this off.

    Virtually is a lot of work too to switch between different people but streamers do that stuff all the time. It might be hard to sync if someone wants to play live with another artist but there still could be a live element to it, singing or soloing over tracks.

    You could definitely make that happen and if it ended up getting an audience maybe move on to live shows somehow.

    parent

    Online would be the way to go until they get better holograms.

    parent root

  • Im good bro. I would never attend an ai fest or ai artist show. id rather go to one with real artist etc

    parent

    people making AI music pretending like they have some form of talent will never not be amusing

    parent root

  • Gonna need a HUGE screen hahahaaha

    parent

  • The idea is that people who can perform music will get together to do live covers of the AI tracks?

    parent

  • I would be there for sure. I use most of my music as karaoke tracks so I sing them anyway

    parent

  • Have you or anyone been on a concert where you don’t know the artist? Exactly.

    parent

  • Performing live is a whole different profession than playing guitar in your bedroom fyi...

    So many things taken for granted here.

    You say you feel confident singing your songs. Have you performed live before?

    parent

  • Now, hold on a minute, this is actually a sensible idea. I like that you’re cutting through all the nonsense about AI music just being "slop," as you kids call it. It’s true that if someone’s just letting a computer cough out noise without any effort, well, that’s not music, that’s just digital clutter, and I won’t stand here and defend that.

    But you're right, there are plenty of dedicated folks using these newfangled tools and I mean using them to actually create something worthwhile. They’re putting in the time: refining lyrics, getting the structure right, maybe even adding a proper, live guitar riff or a drum track. That’s what we call craft, and that's the part that needs to be recognized. So, this idea for an AI music festival? It’s bold, it’s outside the box, and frankly, it’s the best way to prove a point. You can stream all you want, but nothing, and I mean nothing, replaces a live performance to show people you’re serious. We could have a one-night deal, maybe a weekend a proper showcase where the community pools its resources. That’s how you build something lasting.

    I appreciate the structure here. Having specific performance slots is key, and the idea of mixing the generated track with live instruments a proper house band, as we used to call it is brilliant. It takes the digital blueprint and gives it real-world texture and energy. So many people in these groups already play guitar, bass, or piano. That’s a huge asset! You take the AI output, and you give it a pulse.

    And as for my contribution? Well, back in the day, I certainly knew how to work a stage. I can handle vocals on my own material, no question. And when others are performing, especially that hard rock or aggressive country you mentioned, I can manage the technical side of things: getting the smoke right, hitting the lighting cues, and just making sure the overall production looks professional. It's about polish, making sure your set looks like you belong on a stage.

    We can’t just sit around and expect the world to catch up. We have to show them. But the real reason for this, as you rightly point out, isn't just to prove something to some critic sitting in his armchair. It’s for us! To connect, to grow, and to finally get your music in front of real, breathing people. And this worry about nobody showing up? Nonsense. People have always enjoyed stumbling upon new local talent. We can start smart a small bar, a rented hall, or an independent space.

    The plan you’ve laid out is practical, which is what I like most about it. Start small, get a dedicated team for the venue, the tech, and the promotion, and set some basic quality standards no sloppy work. Building a volunteer house band is a great idea, too. We need to stop all this squabbling over who’s "better" and start working together. Momentum, not perfection, that’s the ticket. Let’s make this happen and turn this conversation into a movement. Now, who's ready to put some actual work in?

    parent

    People using AI to reply to AI lmao

    parent root

  • The Anti-AI folks are so hell bent in their ways they’d probably murder us all.

    parent

  • I could come DJ a set. 😂

    I played classical piano and sung for a decade+ but that isn't relevant to live performing my Suno Female Vocal Trance music that I make.

    I support an actual curated AI festival, sounds dope. Lemme bring my fanny pack.

    parent

    Whats your handle on suno? I want to hear your electronic stuff

    parent root

    @RandyRaveDad should be what we got

    parent root