Why do people like concerts? (Friends, bass, cds, Beatles)

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

I like concerts in a small venue with good accoustics, and no more than maybe 2 or 3,000 or so people in attendance. I like the sound and the intimacy.

The worst concerts I've ever been to have been in 50,000 seat stadiums and arenas that seat 10,000 or more people, it seems the music gets watered down and the accoustics are horrible.

Most stadiums and arenas that were built for baseball, basketball and football are generally among the worst venues in the world for people who are lovers of music to attend a concert.

[eddiehaskell]

Originally Posted by Ivory Lee Spurlock

I like concerts in a small venue with good accoustics, and no more than maybe 2 or 3,000 or so people in attendance. I like the sound and the intimacy.

The worst concerts I've ever been to have been in 50,000 seat stadiums and arenas that seat 10,000 or more people, it seems the music gets watered down and the accoustics are horrible.

Most stadiums and arenas that were built for baseball, basketball and football are generally among the worst venues in the world for people who are lovers of music to attend a concert.

So what’s the appeal of those? Is just to be around happy/loud people in a crazy atmosphere where everyone loves the same music?

I feel it might just be something for people to get excited about...many people that work 40+ hours, deal with rush hour, kids, bills, responsibilities, etc. Maybe it gives them a place to go where they can forget about the real world along with everyone else and just drift into the music/atmosphere.

For quality of music - does a big concert top what you could listen to on great speakers? Isn’t the version of a song created for distribution the exact way an artist feels their song should sound? I mean they have months and months or even years to perfect the sounds and words that come through the speaker. How does seating 500 feet away beside 50 Billy Bobs screaming at the top of their lungs enhance the quality of the sound? If it makes it better - why aren’t all songs just recordings of live performances? (I know some are)

Couldn’t one simply get a recorded live performance, close their eyes, crank it up on awesome speakers and have the same experience of being there?

Does it have something to do with the actual artist being there in person? Personally, there’s not a single singer, guitar player, actor, etc that I would give more than a passing glance if they happened to walk down the street.

[clawsondude]

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

So what’s the appeal of those? Is just to be around happy/loud people in a crazy atmosphere where everyone loves the same music?

I feel it might just be something for people to get excited about...many people that work 40+ hours, deal with rush hour, kids, bills, responsibilities, etc. Maybe it gives them a place to go where they can forget about the real world along with everyone else and just drift into the music/atmosphere.

You're on to something there

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

For quality of music - does a big concert top what you could listen to on great speakers? Isn’t the version of a song created for distribution the exact way an artist feels their song should sound? I mean they have months and months or even years to perfect the sounds and words that come through the speaker. How does seating 500 feet away beside 50 Billy Bobs screaming at the top of their lungs enhance the quality of the sound? If it makes it better - why aren’t all songs just recordings of live performances? (I know some are)

Playing a rock band's studio recording even on a moderately decent stereo will probably have better sound quality and will be better equalized than what you would hear at an arena or stadium show. Attending a rock or other popular music concert isn't about a perfect recreation of what has been recorded. It's about performing live and in the moment. It's a different experience for both the audience and performers. Sometimes there is an energy to live music that can't be recreated in a studio, and the audience and band feed off of each other.

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

Couldn’t one simply get a recorded live performance, close their eyes, crank it up on awesome speakers and have the same experience of being there?

I own many live recordings and enjoy listening to them. It's still a completely different experience from being there and hearing/watching the music being performed in the moment. Being around others is also part of that experience. As I mentioned in my first post, to me music is the closet I get to having a religious experience.

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

Does it have something to do with the actual artist being there in person?

Of course it has to do with the musicians being there in person. When you enjoy someone's music it is exciting to watch them perform live and in person.

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

Personally, there’s not a single singer, guitar player, actor, etc that I would give more than a passing glance if they happened to walk down the street.

And that's fine for you. I'm sure there's things in life you enjoy that I would not. As others have said, people are individuals and enjoy different things. Some people enjoy dressing up as furries and participating in that community. It's not something I would enjoy, but if others find pleasure in it I say good for them!

[KemBro71]

Originally Posted by eddiehaskell

So what’s the appeal of those? Is just to be around happy/loud people in a crazy atmosphere where everyone loves the same music?

I feel it might just be something for people to get excited about...many people that work 40+ hours, deal with rush hour, kids, bills, responsibilities, etc. Maybe it gives them a place to go where they can forget about the real world along with everyone else and just drift into the music/atmosphere.

For quality of music - does a big concert top what you could listen to on great speakers? Isn’t the version of a song created for distribution the exact way an artist feels their song should sound? I mean they have months and months or even years to perfect the sounds and words that come through the speaker. How does seating 500 feet away beside 50 Billy Bobs screaming at the top of their lungs enhance the quality of the sound? If it makes it better - why aren’t all songs just recordings of live performances? (I know some are)

Couldn’t one simply get a recorded live performance, close their eyes, crank it up on awesome speakers and have the same experience of being there?

Does it have something to do with the actual artist being there in person? Personally, there’s not a single singer, guitar player, actor, etc that I would give more than a passing glance if they happened to walk down the street.

Many of your responses seem to include assumptions that read as subtle put-downs of people's interests that differ from yours.

There are lots of things I don't like or appreciate and I don't need to change my own mind to also allow that others might like those things. Which is good!

[GearHeadDave]

Especially for rock concerts, being in front of a wall of speakers cranking sound at 110 DB +, is a full immersion experience that can't replicated in a listening room or with a set of headphones. True unique power of rock has to be experienced live.

[victimofGM]

It depends on the music. Most modern musical acts don’t perform music. They have dancing to prerecorded music with lights and costume changes. Might as well sit at home and listen to the CD to hear the music without hearing the performer rambling about their politics or social issues. If the musical act is a band that actually plays their own instruments and actually sings their own songs then it may be worth it to go to the concert. Some live performances actually sound better live than on the studio record. Give a listen to the studio versions of “I Want You To Want Me”, “Turn The Page”, and anything by Bruce Springsteen, Peter Frampton, and KISS.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by slamont61

I enjoy the experience of "Feeling" the music. Good rock shows are worth the price of admittance. Bands make their money by touring these days as opposed to Albums/CDs like in the old days.

In the last two months - Bob Seger, Heart with Joan Jett, Kansas and Alice Cooper. And I'd do it again....

Kansas, even though only two original members continue to tour, was always a band best to see live.

Same for Rush. Damn I miss those guys.

[ImissThe90's]

Originally Posted by GearHeadDave

Especially for rock concerts, being in front of a wall of speakers cranking sound at 110 DB +, is a full immersion experience that can't replicated in a listening room or with a set of headphones. True unique power of rock has to be experienced live.

This is 100% true. As a rock fan myself, the live experience far outweighs simply listening to the albums on Spotify or something. Not to mention all the extras that are thrown in during the show, including things like unreleased/new songs, cover songs, different versions of songs... Then you have bands like The Offspring, which I saw at the Beale Street Music Festival in 2004 I believe, that essentially added in a stand-up routine with their banter back and forth and sprayed the crowd with a fire hose (Not directly, of course. It was really hot that day)... I wouldn't really be into that now, but it was great fun as a 16-17 year old.

[Sonic_Spork]

Other aspects to seeing concerts that I appreciate:

1. The band I see most, releases merchandise that is ALWAYS limited and always collectible. They've got a rabid cult following, several of whom are serious memorabilia collectors. In fact I'd say that's a big subset of the fan community, people who collect their stuff. Going to shows gives me a chance to get limited items and to get autographs, and they have been worth money. I've made thousands in profits on the rare occasions I've decided to sell off some of my collection. (I'm not one of the most serious collectors, but some cool and unique items have passed through my hands.)

2. If you actually know the musicians, or you know enough about them to admire them as people, or you're really impressed with their talent, then you might be drawn to the idea of being a PATRON of their art. A supporter. This isn't so likely with the big radio/arena type acts. But a relatively underground band is going to be making a lot of their income off of touring. And it is hard work. I've been on enough buses and in enough backstage areas to know that the glamorous rock & roll lifestyle thing is usually not true, at least not for the bands I know and love. And it's a huge risk to get started in a creative industry. I'm not brave enough to try and make a living off of my own creative abilities. And yet I believe very strongly that there is huge value, to humanity in general, in the arts. So in terms of "why" I go, a lot of it is really a statement of what I believe in and wish to support. I want the people I appreciate, to be able to keep doing what they're doing. I'm willing to shell out some money to help make that happen. Nowadays with bands not making much from record sales like they used to, this is pretty important.

[GearHeadDave]

Originally Posted by ImissThe90's

This is 100% true. As a rock fan myself, the live experience far outweighs simply listening to the albums on Spotify or something. Not to mention all the extras that are thrown in during the show, including things like unreleased/new songs, cover songs, different versions of songs... Then you have bands like The Offspring, which I saw at the Beale Street Music Festival in 2004 I believe, that essentially added in a stand-up routine with their banter back and forth and sprayed the crowd with a fire hose (Not directly, of course. It was really hot that day)... I wouldn't really be into that now, but it was great fun as a 16-17 year old.

Of course there are downsides to having been in the third row of a Black Sabbath concert. Now that I am becoming an old creaker I can't hear s***! But I would go back and do it again without a doubt.