Why I stopped going to rock concerts
- Thread starter eljr
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The Loudest show I ever saw was Tangerine Dream somewhere around 83-84 at the Warner Theater -
the show was astonishingly clean and OMG loud -
Previous loudest show was Jeff Beck with BBA around 73-74 at McDonough Arena at Georgetown U -
I started standing by the front monitors and headed to the rear once the pounding began ...
Nasty ringing ears from both - but WOAH, what a great time!
But I don't go to bigger show much anymore - too often the crowds are chatty and jabber through the music,
partly the big acts are way too expensive, and partly my tastes have changed and I really enjoy smaller venues and less well known bands or musicians ...
where I can see and hear them much better (and they can tell we really enjoy what they are playing) the band-audience feedback is purer!
the show was astonishingly clean and OMG loud -
Previous loudest show was Jeff Beck with BBA around 73-74 at McDonough Arena at Georgetown U -
I started standing by the front monitors and headed to the rear once the pounding began ...
Nasty ringing ears from both - but WOAH, what a great time!
But I don't go to bigger show much anymore - too often the crowds are chatty and jabber through the music,
partly the big acts are way too expensive, and partly my tastes have changed and I really enjoy smaller venues and less well known bands or musicians ...
where I can see and hear them much better (and they can tell we really enjoy what they are playing) the band-audience feedback is purer!
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stereofanboy
Addicted Member
It's been over fifteen years since I've attended a concert in a big venue. The only similar experience I've had since was at church (I mean the SPLs, not the half naked ladies and haze of pot smoke hanging over the crowd).
There are several reasons I've stopped going to concerts, prices, the fact that most of the bands I'd want to see are gone or geezers by now, bad sound and high SPLs are all on the list.
As for the informed citizenry thing, there have always been and always will be those among us who neither understand, nor desire freedom. That would have been understandable back in the day, if you were king, or at least a fairly close relative of the king. Hey, it's good to be king!
Today, that attitude is incomprehensible in someone who knows damn well he isn't going to be king or even a member of the politburo. Stay off my lawn and I'll stay off yours.
There are several reasons I've stopped going to concerts, prices, the fact that most of the bands I'd want to see are gone or geezers by now, bad sound and high SPLs are all on the list.
As for the informed citizenry thing, there have always been and always will be those among us who neither understand, nor desire freedom. That would have been understandable back in the day, if you were king, or at least a fairly close relative of the king. Hey, it's good to be king!
Today, that attitude is incomprehensible in someone who knows damn well he isn't going to be king or even a member of the politburo. Stay off my lawn and I'll stay off yours.
eljr
Koyaanisqatsi
your freedom is an allusion, your lack of understanding is your anchor
peace brother
I understand you would like to restrict it.
KrisM
Lunatic Member
B.C. has a crazy amount of good little festivals. And I've never been, but I've heard parts of concerts recorded by CBC at that roots one on the island. I'd love to get to that one some day.
KeninDC
Hazy Cosmic Jive
I love getting out of the house and seeing a good show. While I prefer smaller clubs, getting in and out of the Verizon Center is a snap. And now that I'm no longer out of my mind at shows, getting home is no longer the unwanted adventure it used to be. It's nice to grow up.
My one peeve is that many of the older acts (Gregg Allman, for example) are sit-down only and too darn reverential. I still enjoy doing the hip shake thing with my best gal at a show and sitting down, dinner-theater- style, makes me restless.
My one peeve is that many of the older acts (Gregg Allman, for example) are sit-down only and too darn reverential. I still enjoy doing the hip shake thing with my best gal at a show and sitting down, dinner-theater- style, makes me restless.
exhippy
I use to have long hair. Now I'm lucky to have any
Top fuel rails and funny cars run on Nitro all of the time. They are pulled to and in the staging lanes. They do not start them until it's time for their run. They are shut down as they pass the 1,000 foot mark at the end of their run. They carry just enough fuel to burn-out / stage / run. In-between runs they are rebuilt. When completed they are started in the pits, run for a couple minutes to see if it's good to go.
I've been a gearhead since I was 10 years old in the late '60s when mom & dad gave me a subscription to Hot Rod magazine. My bedroom walls at that time were covered in pictures from Hot Rod magazine of Gassers, Door Slammers, Sling Shots, you name it, if it had anything to do with drag racing I was into it! As a young teen I started getting into music and stereo equipment.
exhippy
I use to have long hair. Now I'm lucky to have any
Now, back to the thread subject, my ears are ringing now! They have been for decades. You get use to it...
I could probably blame Johnny Winter for that, but I know I'm responsible for that.
Do we all remember the days of $4.50, $5.50 and $6.50 for a show? I thought it was outrageous when Led Zeppelin wanted $8.50!
Why did I stop going to shows...
The ol' timers just don't tour like they use to!
I could probably blame Johnny Winter for that, but I know I'm responsible for that.
Do we all remember the days of $4.50, $5.50 and $6.50 for a show? I thought it was outrageous when Led Zeppelin wanted $8.50!
Why did I stop going to shows...
The ol' timers just don't tour like they use to!
hunter00
Super Member
KrisM
Lunatic Member
Good stuff, hunter00.
I'm more of a blues/jazz guy myself. I can lean towards country if it's of alt variety, or traditional. The new stuff does nothing for me.
I've got a young kid, so getting out happens a lot less for me now. I'm cool with it. She's now at an age where she can go to family friendly festivals. I plan on trying to do some travelling/camping trips that line up with festivals that will work for us. Maybe this summer, maybe next.
A brother in law mentioned a folk one in the interior that he was at a few years ago that would fit the bill. And I've heard good things about a (folk?) festival in Canmore that is kid friendly.
I'm more of a blues/jazz guy myself. I can lean towards country if it's of alt variety, or traditional. The new stuff does nothing for me.
I've got a young kid, so getting out happens a lot less for me now. I'm cool with it. She's now at an age where she can go to family friendly festivals. I plan on trying to do some travelling/camping trips that line up with festivals that will work for us. Maybe this summer, maybe next.
A brother in law mentioned a folk one in the interior that he was at a few years ago that would fit the bill. And I've heard good things about a (folk?) festival in Canmore that is kid friendly.
spicer
Lunatic Member
Spoken with the arrogance of youth. Taking care of yourself is not the same as playing it safe. Getting out and doing something and enjoying life is living. Taking care of yourself and living... do both, they are not mutually exclusive. One compliments the other.
spicer
Lunatic Member
You just gave license for self abuse at the hands of big tobacco.... What happened to the enforcement arm of your judicial sense of social responsibility?
I’m not a fan of big venues and I’m way too cheap to pay high ticket prices. Stopped going to see bar-bands when we had kids – started again when our younger son joined a bar-band. Nothing like staying out three hours past your bed-time to prove you’re not dead yet. Although we’ve also been to concerts at a local bar that has geriatric rock concerts on Friday nights, 6 til 10 pm.
finnbow
The Dude Abides
Morever, hearing loss is quite different from cancer or emphysema. My high frequency hearing ain't great anymore, but I wouldn't trade this malady for cancer.
mfrench
Addicted Member
Dislikes:
The music, the audience, the non-stop yammering, people on cellphones, the loudness factor (think: live loudness wars), the venues, venue security looking for a brawl. There are so many reasons.
Fortunately, in Cali, just a couple of years before I stopped going to rock concerts, they outlawed cigarette smoking in public events, so I no longer came back stinking like a wet ash tray full of butts. I've spent far beyond the average concert-goers time in live music events, and was really glad when this went away.
Now, I find that my heiner really likes a velvety theater seat, and not standing at all during a concert. I like a mature, quiet audience, that appreciates the music, that applauds at appropriate moments, and then back to silent during the music; heck, they even try to cough between songs when necessary (or just leave the concert hall when unavoidable). I've found that I really like an open after-concert reception, which might include a glass of wine (I don't drink), or a coffee (I do love this), and meeting the band. There are so many things that I like about this sort of civilized event, as opposed to rock concerts.
The music, the audience, the non-stop yammering, people on cellphones, the loudness factor (think: live loudness wars), the venues, venue security looking for a brawl. There are so many reasons.
Fortunately, in Cali, just a couple of years before I stopped going to rock concerts, they outlawed cigarette smoking in public events, so I no longer came back stinking like a wet ash tray full of butts. I've spent far beyond the average concert-goers time in live music events, and was really glad when this went away.
Now, I find that my heiner really likes a velvety theater seat, and not standing at all during a concert. I like a mature, quiet audience, that appreciates the music, that applauds at appropriate moments, and then back to silent during the music; heck, they even try to cough between songs when necessary (or just leave the concert hall when unavoidable). I've found that I really like an open after-concert reception, which might include a glass of wine (I don't drink), or a coffee (I do love this), and meeting the band. There are so many things that I like about this sort of civilized event, as opposed to rock concerts.
Renegade
Well-Known Member
I hear ya,,,,, but who's fault would it be with either?
If you made a choice to smoke, or attend loud concerts, or sporting events even,,,,, anything overly loud?
Hearing loss does not HAVE to be noise induced,,,,,,,,,, who should have to pay?
ducati_EL34
Addicted Member
I am 53.
Ahem, as Hunter S. Thompson one said,
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"
ducati_EL34
Addicted Member
People do not need the tobacco industry to enable their self abuse.
I am not in favor of the enforcement arm of social responsibility. I am all about taking personal responsibility for one's own actions.
eljr
Koyaanisqatsi
and business is not responsible for it's actions? Even in the case of tobacco which knew and covered up the links from tobacco to health problems?
Even worse, launched campaigns of disinformation. (Philip Morris)
I can't wait till Big Pharma is finally nailed.
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