Do you seek out tribute bands?

[yoda313]

I've been browsing youtube a lot for different covers of a lot of U2 songs. I like the guitar only posts people put up, even acoustic versions.

I have started watching some tribute bands on youtube and some are quite good. Though it is a shame that a lot of them don't use the soundboards for the actual audio. But the "in crowd" pov is fun, kind of like you are actually there.

I'm starting to think I might search online for some tribute bands that might be in my area. I'm sure they'd be a fraction of the cost of actually going to see U2 or another A-list band. I think it might be quite fun.

One thing I don't know about tribute bands is how do they license the songs from the original bands? Do they get a special rate? I mean I"m sure a true royalty cost would kill a startup band that is trying to get its feet wet. Do they get price breaks for playing the songs and using the likeness of the band they are imitating?

So do you go see tribute bands?

Edit - just found a local u2 tribute band but there website doesn't have any more shows upcoming. They must be really part time but they sounded good. I think I'll email them and see if they have any more shows this year. Then again who knows, maybe a band member got sick or injured or something and have to go on hiatus....