NationStates Jolt Archive

I asked a question the other day about why people would throw their money away to go to sporting events, but I had a similar question this morning: Why throw your money away to go see people perform music in person if you've already paid the money to hear it in the privacy of your own home/car/jukebox/whatever.

The reason I ask -- my wife was watching the MTV Video Music Awards last week and, from the bedroom, I heard Panic! At The Disco performing live and they sucked. A lot of groups do compared to studio polished albums. So why would anyone waste a hard earned cent to go see a suck-ass version of a song they like and already have?

I really don't get it.

People pay to see my band in concert. Why? Because we arn't on tv like many other bands.

Anyway, seeing a band in concert is 999999999999999999999 x better (usually, sometimes its worse) then seeing a band on tv. The atmosphere, the loud live and high quality p.a sound and just seeing the people in person is what makes it good.

I went to see a Korn concert in Frankfurt a few years ago, and it was an interesting contrast. Puddle of Mudd opened for them, and they absolutely sucked live. Picture several hundred Germans yelling (in English, for some reason) "We want Korn! We want Korn!" while Puddle of Mudd was playing. On the other hand, Korn puts on a great show that was well worth seeing.

It's a completely different experience. Music is always best when it's seen and heard being performed by the musicians who created it. A CD can never hope to capture the true spirit of the music.

Unless it's bland pop music or some shit like that, then it makes no difference as the "artist" is probably miming anyway.

OK, so you're paying for the experience. I think I can understand that. Thanks.

OK, so you're paying for the experience. I think I can understand that. Thanks.

have you been to a concert?

I asked a question the other day about why people would throw their money away to go to sporting events, but I had a similar question this morning: Why throw your money away to go see people perform music in person if you've already paid the money to hear it in the privacy of your own home/car/jukebox/whatever.

The reason I ask -- my wife was watching the MTV Video Music Awards last week and, from the bedroom, I heard Panic! At The Disco performing live and they sucked. A lot of groups do compared to studio polished albums. So why would anyone waste a hard earned cent to go see a suck-ass version of a song they like and already have?

I really don't get it.

For one thing, because studio-polished albums often sound studio-polished. Given the choice, I like to hear real instruments, not computer-generated, artificially-tuned ones.

(I also assume you're referring solely to pop music, as the reasons to go hear classical works live seem even more obvious.)

I went to see a Korn concert in Frankfurt a few years ago, and it was an interesting contrast. Puddle of Mudd opened for them, and they absolutely sucked live. Picture several hundred Germans yelling (in English, for some reason) "We want Korn! We want Korn!" while Puddle of Mudd was playing. On the other hand, Korn puts on a great show that was well worth seeing.

Korn are great live. as are Linkin Park, as it happens... both better than albums and put on a great show.
the attraction of seeing a metal band live, at least, is the pit and the atmosphere... let your aggression out and stuff.

Crowd participation: singing, shouting, clapping, jumping, screaming, moshing, crowd surfing, dancing etc etc

Korn are great live. as are Linkin Park, as it happens... both better than albums and put on a great show.
the attraction of seeing a metal band live, at least, is the pit and the atmosphere... let your aggression out and stuff.

Germans don't do pits properly. They just jump around in place. You could see small knots of Americans beating the shit out of each other with about a 1m buffer zone around them throughout the crowd.

Because Band's are better live. I'm not a huge MCR fan, but live they blow the fucking roof off.

Because Band's are better live. I'm not a huge MCR fan, but live they blow the fucking roof off.

No, they seriously don't

Because it's a chance to see the band. I wouldn't pay to much for one, unless it was pink floyd. Speaking of concerts, I'm going to see Roger Waters in Sept. and Iron Maiden in Oct.

No, they seriously don't

Yes they do. Except, not at the Hammersmith on the 22nd.:D

have you been to a concert?

I went to one in South Carolina while I was stationed there. It was loud.

I went to one in South Carolina while I was stationed there. It was loud.

They tend to be

For one thing, because studio-polished albums often sound studio-polished. Given the choice, I like to hear real instruments, not computer-generated, artificially-tuned ones.
I guess it's just a question of whether the experience is worth the money then. To most people, yes it is. I can see it now, and I can understand, I just disagree. Concert promoters out here are always pushing some group that's playing here, and I can always list about twenty things I'd rather spend my money on.

(I also assume you're referring solely to pop music, as the reasons to go hear classical works live seem even more obvious.)
You know, I thought about making the distinction, but I feel the same way about classical-era music as I do about popular-era music, so I let the original post stay intentionally vague.

They tend to be

I know. I think my hearing recovered by the next morning. :cool:

I just disagree.


How could you say that when you have only been to one concert. The band/sound/atmosphere may have been completely crap.

The difference?

Listen to any Who album, and then listen to "Live at Leeds".

Night and day.


A good band goes balls out at a live show, to entertain you.

The difference?

Listen to any Who album, and then listen to "Live at Leeds".

Listen to any Who album and then go and see them, even today.

Phenomenal live, good on record.

Listen to any Who album and then go and see them, even today.

Phenomenal live, good on record.

If they could resurrect Entwhistle and Moon, I'd be there.

Seeing them these days would be like watching Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr tour as The Beatles.

Just not the same.

You cant replace one of the best rythmn sections in rock n roll.

Why go to a concert?

Because my cd player doesn't come with the light show, the audience energy, the pyrotechnics, the visuals, or anything else that the concert brings.

And if you love a given musician - especially noted guitar soloists, the live experience provides opportunities to hear variations on their music unavailable at the store. Only a few thousand people were there for any given Stevie Ray Vaughn concert, and they were ALL different. Same for Mark Knoffler or BB King or Jimmy Page or Eric Clapton or.....<insert looooooooooooooong list here>


I remember on the downside of their careers catching Blue Oyster Cult in a bar where they chatted up the audience, took requests, and had a lot of fun with their fans that were there.

Your could have every album, single, CD etc that they ever made, but your collection couldn't replace that memory.

Same with several bands on the upswing of their careers. I remember chatting with Tina Turner on a quiet evening at the bar shortly before Private Dancer was released. I had a beer with Jimmy Vaughn and the Fabulous Thunderbirds just as their first album was hitting the shelves.

Sure, I'm dating myself here and these people have all come and gone and aren't who I listen to anymore either. But they were all interesting people. And people that hang out at the live clubs are doing that with tomorrows superstars right now.

but then again, there is a difference betweent hose who enjoy music, and thosewho love it. By your attitude it is fairly obvious which group you fall into.

Which isn't meant as a slight. You are who you are, and your interests differ. That's all.

IT just means that you will never likely understand my love of live music much as I will never understand the awe with which golfers treat the opportunity to play on a specific lawn of grass. To me, it's irrelevant.

If they could resurrect Entwhistle and Moon, I'd be there.

Seeing them these days would be like watching Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr tour as The Beatles.

Just not the same.

You cant replace one of the best rythmn sections in rock n roll.

The guys they have now are pretty good. They work well live. But it's all about Daltry and Townshend. Just seeing and hearing them interacting on stage. Brilliant.

The difference?

Listen to any Who album, and then listen to "Live at Leeds".

Night and day.


A good band goes balls out at a live show, to entertain you.

It's the same way with Husker Du. Sure, they rocked on their studio recordings, but they were without compare when they played live. Take a look at these clips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MtiVbkfUn4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZp8To-Fcoc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxwXDCrzy94
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vefkvjcjNj8

Don't worry, this is non-copyrighted material. Thankfully.

I guess I'm biased saying this, since I'm a stage actress, but there is nothing compared to live performances. Live, there is whole new level of excitement. The performers are right there, vulnerable, able to screw up. There's interaction between the performers and the audience, and they feed off of eachothers energy. It's such a beautiful, passionate, and fleeting relationship. Performers get lot's out of it, as does the audience. It's pretty well understood that the performers won't be as polished as they are in studio, but that's one of the things that makes a performance great. Seeing a musician stumble a little is proof that he's a living, breathing human, who is putting his heart on display before an audience of thousands. It's such a wonderful feeling.

I guess I'm biased saying this, since I'm a stage actress, but there is nothing compared to live performances. Live, there is whole new level of excitement. The performers are right there, vulnerable, able to screw up. There's interaction between the performers and the audience, and they feed off of eachothers energy. It's such a beautiful, passionate, and fleeting relationship. Performers get lot's out of it, as does the audience. It's pretty well understood that the performers won't be as polished as they are in studio, but that's one of the things that makes a performance great. Seeing a musician stumble a little is proof that he's a living, breathing human, who is putting his heart on display before an audience of thousands. It's such a wonderful feeling.

Thats slightly... deeper than I would have gone. ;) But thats basically it. Plus, singing along to a good live band is really cool.

Thats slightly... deeper than I would have gone. ;) But thats basically it. Plus, singing along to a good live band is really cool.

Well, I didn't particularly expect anyone who doesn't perform for a living (or once and a while for fun) to go that far into detail. Getting up on stage and singing live really makes it easier to understand and respect performers who do it on a regular basis.

Even if the band plays their material note-for-note as it is on the studio album (like Yes), it's still a rush to see them in person playing it. If the band is, like the Who, a great live band, it's an even better time. Tommy on Live at the Isle of Wight is ten times better than the studio album.

The reason I ask -- my wife was watching the MTV Video Music Awards last week and, from the bedroom, I heard Panic! At The Disco performing live and they sucked. A lot of groups do compared to studio polished albums. So why would anyone waste a hard earned cent to go see a suck-ass version of a song they like and already have?In at least half of the cases, polishing a song means making it worse. I can't speak for Panic! At the Disco, though.

I went to one in South Carolina while I was stationed there. It was loud.As it should be.

Just because I'm excited about it: I'm going to my first proper concert in less than two weeks! :D:D:D

Just because I'm excited about it: I'm going to my first proper concert in less than two weeks! :D:D:DWho are you going to see? <Prepares to cringe>

Who are you going to see? <Prepares to cringe>

That's not nice. :p

I A lot of groups do compared to studio polished albums.

Some groups suck live. Other groups, by contrast, give a totally different experience from their recorded music and are well worth the experience.

Who are you going to see? <Prepares to cringe>

Don't cringe :(

...

Placebo.

That's not nice. :p

No, no it's not :p

Placebo are definatly cringe worthy

Placebo are definatly cringe worthy

Your face is definitely cringe worthy. :mad:


:p

Why throw your money away to go see people perform music in person if you've already paid the money to hear it in the privacy of your own home/car/jukebox/whatever.


If you had been to a Pink Floyd concert in 1994 then you wouldnt even have to ask. The crowd didnt even move or dance. Everyone was just mesmorized into a stunned silence.

Don't cringe :(

...

Placebo.Oh, excellent choice. Now I feel silly for preparing to cringe.

If you had been to a Pink Floyd concert in 1994 then you wouldnt even have to ask. The crowd didnt even move or dance. Everyone was just mesmorized into a stunned silence.I think they were asleep.

Oh, excellent choice. Now I feel silly for preparing to cringe.

I'm going too, in order to protect her from the masses of Molko worshippers attempting to claw their way through the crowd to get to him. Or something. Eek.

Edit - ooh, by the way, I managed to track down a Local H album and the first two Earth albums. I like muchly. :D

I think they were asleep.

Ba doom,tish!

Oh, excellent choice. Now I feel silly for preparing to cringe.

;)

I'm going too, in order to protect her from the masses of Molko worshippers attempting to claw their way through the crowd to get to him. Or something. Eek.

*Cough* What makes you think I won't be clawing my way to the front? ;) :p

I'm going too, in order to protect her from the masses of Molko worshippers attempting to claw their way through the crowd to get to him. Or something. Eek.Heh. When I saw them they were opening for another band, so the Molko worshippers weren't out in full force.

Edit - ooh, by the way, I managed to track down a Local H album and the first two Earth albums. I like muchly. :DExcellent, which Local H album did you get?

I think they were asleep.

If crashing planes, dancing pigs and blinding 3 story high discoball balls that open into neon flowers and enough fireworks for the 4th of July makes you sleepy....

If crashing planes, dancing pigs and blinding 3 story high discoball balls that open into neon flowers and enough fireworks for the 4th of July makes you sleepy.......nah, I won't be too mean to Pink Floyd, I don't hate them or anything, I just don't find them to be particularly exciting, either.

*Cough* What makes you think I won't be clawing my way to the front? ;) :p

Feel free, saves me doing it myself I guess. :p

Heh. When I saw them they were opening for another band, so the Molko worshippers weren't out in full force.

That must have been a fair while ago. When they came down here last time (a couple of years ago) they sold out really quickly.

Excellent, which Local H album did you get?

Pack up the Cats. I saw some Therapy? albums at the store too, but I was out of cash.

Placebo.




solid choice.

That must have been a fair while ago. When they came down here last time (a couple of years ago) they sold out really quickly.Yep, in '99.

Pack up the Cats. I saw some Therapy? albums at the store too, but I was out of cash.Ah, good choice. I like how the songs sound different but sort of blend into each other.

Ah, good choice. I like how the songs sound different but sort of blend into each other.

Yeah, it almost feels like a concept album.

Feel free, saves me doing it myself I guess. :p


Oh, in that case, I'll just tag along behind you :p

solid choice.

Thanks :)

Edit - ooh, by the way, I managed to track down a Local H album and the first two Earth albums. I like muchly. :D


Cool. I'm a happy bunny because SUNN 0))) are playing my town again next month. If my internal organs are not irreparably rearranged by subsonic frequencies I will be writing stern letters of complaint.

Cool. I'm a happy bunny because SUNN 0))) are playing my town again next month. If my internal organs are not irreparably rearranged by subsonic frequencies I will be writing stern letters of complaint.Ooh sounds fun. <Runs off to see if Sunn 0))) will ever play here.>

Cool. I'm a happy bunny because SUNN 0))) are playing my town again next month. If my internal organs are not irreparably rearranged by subsonic frequencies I will be writing stern letters of complaint.

Oh, awesome. They're in my top list of bands to see...

But I have heard a rumour that they might be touring here with Electric Wizard and Cathedral soon (and another local band, Pod People). Could be bullshit, but I can only hope. *sigh*

EDIT - must be bullshit. Can't find anything.

If my internal organs are not irreparably rearranged by subsonic frequencies I will be writing stern letters of complaint. Am I the only one who finds it ironic that you would be writing this? :p

Oh, awesome. They're in my top list of bands to see...

One of my friends managed to catch one of the Earth/Sunn 0))) double header gigs this year. Bastard.

One of my friends managed to catch one of the Earth/Sunn 0))) double header gigs this year. Bastard.

Agh. Yes, bastard indeed. :(