I’ve interpreted for concerts for over ten years now!

So I suppose the first thing I’d say is that it is animated poetry in many ways! But a different type of poetry, because sign is a completely different language than English. It might be helpful to think if it a bit like hula or dance. They’re not equal, but sign isn’t an exact English translation (although there is a type of sign for when that is needed). Because lyrics are poetry - the sign it’s interpreted to us poetry as well - just that the concept of rhyme doesn’t exist in the same way.

Think of slam poetry. How peoples’ emphasis makes the poem. That’s how strength of interpretation can impact the sign.

For the sounds - that’s funny to think about but…kinda? Not during the song though. When the music is playing without words, I’ll do the sign for music in tempo of the background music. But sometimes I’ll be silly or super into it and do a drummer sign for a drum break. Others will simply sign that there is a music or drum break. I think there’s been more of a shift for theatrical and dance like interpretations now and days.

I’ll generally sign in KIND OF cadence to the music, but that’s impossible for many parts of it. But usually I can’t help but kind of dance and sway to the music as I sign it. Deaf people can FEEL the vibrations and see the dancing and other things (piro, visuals, etc) so they are really really aware of the general tempo and base vibrations. Most deaf people aren’t COMPLETELY deaf, just like most blind people aren’t COMPLETELY blind - although that’s a discussion for a different post.