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Bands in Chicago are worried that computer musicians, armed with laptops, piano keyboards and sound files, may them offstage.

The performances are increasingly popular with the under-30 crowd, say a number of laptop musicians who perform in Chicago.

“It’s different,” said Matthew Dear, a laptop musician who recently appeared at Smart Bar. “It’s almost like younger people are trained to enjoy this kind of music. They’re more into the experience of music and can take more notice of things that they hear.”

Not everyone is a fan, though.One local drummer said laptop performances he’s seen lack “heart and energy” when compared to a live band.

“It gives someone without access to a live band a chance to get out there and be creative, which is fine,” said Dave Bartoszewski, drummer for Driveway Ninjas. “But I just can’t see 10,000 people shelling out $50 to see someone playing a laptop.”

via: Chicago Tribune