"The ultimate sin of any performer is contempt for the audience"

In this quote, Lester Bangs, a renowned music reporter and critic, is highlighting the significance of respecting one's audience as an entertainer. He thinks that the worst mistake a performer can make is to have a sense of ridicule or disregard for their audience. This could manifest in different ways, such as not putting effort into a performance, being thankless for the audience's support, or even looking down on them. Bangs highlights that the audience is the reason for an entertainer's success and must be treated with regard and gratitude. Without an audience, an entertainer's art would have no purpose, making contempt for them the ultimate sin.