Are gigs (shows/concerts) really getting more boring and why?

[dspellman1]

IMHO - The shows today are too much about the Production itself and less about who is Playing.

Dua Lipa made her way with three (four?) musicians and a microphone. These days it's a sculpted body suit, dancers, pyro, floating around the venue on a platform, huge lighting, etc.

It's tedious getting to and into the venue, putting up with all the people standing in front of you, blocking your view with a kajillion phones, etc. and then fighting traffic leaving. And of course, the cost.

The song remains the same and she's still cute, but it was so much more fun seeing her when she was coming up.

 

[dspellman1]

The happy medium is the small venues. Punk and metal shows - those scenes people are respectful to each other. When I was doing sound at a bar they were always the best crowds. Enthusiastic, supportive, and respectful that everyone is there for the same reason.

I've had calls to fill in for bands who are playing at large venues and who've lost a band member due to sickness, crankiness, homesickness, whatever. And those are exciting (terrifying) and they pay a bunch. Ditto medium venues at the Indian (sorry, Native American) casinos, where the house is smaller, the audiences generally older, and the band has been around the block several times.

But I think my favorite these days is the bar gig, where people are peeing themselves, losing their balance, fighting over girlfriends, etc., and just generally having a great time that will cause them some kind of bodily soreness the next day. I'm not at all sure about "respectful," but the bouncers are responsible for that. Good security and a heavy tele or LP will serve you well.

 

[1955]

I know how it was, how it has changed, and why it has changed, but it’s the least of my concerns now.

 

[InstantCoffeeBlue]

I think there are still some really great bands live. But what has changed is the crowd. For some reason every other idiot thinks its a good idea to have their phone out to record the event. Instead of being in the moment and experiencing the energy and bouncing around, they stand dead still with a stupid iphone in their hand to watch it later. I think bands play off of the energy of the crowd and I cant recall the last time I was at a show where I could feel the place pulsing. Maybe 2012?

This. Saw Jason Isbell a while back in the Riverside Theater here which is really about the max sized venue I'll pay to see a show at these days. He and the band put on a great show. During the encore, people up front were holding their phones up to film and he stopped and said "wait, hold up. I've been playing to ***ing screens for two years; I want to play to faces now". I'm sure some people thought it was pretentious or whatever, but I totally agree with the sentiment. Sick and tired of how every moment has to be "documented" on one social media or another for some stupid short-lived clout rather than just lived in, and I do think this has a big effect on the feel of both playing shows and being in the audience.

 

[ravindave_3600]

1 - When it comes to music / bands / shows I hate scripts, and everything - including my favorite bands - is now scripted so every note fits every change of lighting.
2 - When it comes to events I hate scripts, and walking into a huge auditorium after being searched, scanned, prodded, and told what to do and NOT DO, just doesn't feel like rock.
3 - When it comes to crowds I hate scripts, but I know the good seats are pre-purchased by corporations, the (often younger) people next to me are there because they got free tickets, and there's more interest in phoning the event than participating in it.

Where's the joy?

But I DO like hearing bands at outdoor festivals or even concerts in the park because they're hassle free and far more spontaneous. And whether it's rock, blues, jazz, zydeco, or whatever, that makes me feel like I'm interacting with someone.

 

[Toast]

When I used to go to shows, I'd travel in pack of a least 6 friends and girlfriends. We'd get to the show and run into another 10 people we all knew. After that we'd go bar hopping or end up in 24 hour diners. That would never happen today. All of my friends have moved to more affordable towns, cities, and states. They're engrossed in family life and putzing around. I'm not sure what millenials and gen Z do for fun nowadays. World of Warcraft virtual meetups?

 

[driesenries]

I saw U2 in the eighties when they were exiting. These days a U2 gig is still nice, but not that mind blowing anymore. The fans get older, the music more mellower. Go out and see some exiting new bands who blow off the roof! Here in Europe (Netherlands) we see a revival of (English style) (post) punk bands. IDLES, Fontaines DC, Murder Capital, Ditz, Crows etc. CHECK THIS! IDLES Live at the Bataclan Paris

 

[cyclopean]

What are you talking about? I’ve seen a bunch of great live music this summer, and a few weeks ago i was at a show in someone’s basement where people were throwing fireworks at each other.

 

[Nogoodnamesleft]

I saw U2 in the eighties when they were exiting. These days a U2 gig is still nice, but not that mind blowing anymore. The fans get older, the music more mellower. Go out and see some exiting new bands who blow off the roof! Here in Europe (Netherlands) we see a revival of (English style) (post) punk bands. IDLES, Fontaines DC, Murder Capital, Ditz, Crows etc. CHECK THIS! IDLES Live at the Bataclan Paris

The new Fontaines DC record is incredible. Seriously underrated band.

 

[Si G X]

Social Distortion tomorrow, I'm hoping it won't be boring.... I'm also hoping they don't get covid and cancel again last minute, especially as we are driving 250 miles to get there.

 

[rand z]

Lots of good reason stated here.

Music follows history; like everything else.

I tend to believe that the "baby-boomers" who really started the mainstream interest in popular music, via television, AM radio, movies and shows at 100's of local clubs and bars, are pretty much gone.

Those places are gone, too.

For example, I remember hearing live bands at the Jersey Shore back in the late 60's and early 70's.

Big clubs there had multiple stages with multiple bands, all playing at the same time till 3/4 am.

They were pack with kids.

To my knowledge, there is nothing like that anywhere, today.

AND THERE LIES THE DIFFERENCE.

Like the Swing Era, we're way past that time period.

So music, live or otherwise, now takes a back seat to various techno devices, and other forms of mass communication.

It will most likely never go back to the way it was.

(But, if you were there, it was magic!)

imo.

 

[Flat6Driver]

Lots of good reason stated here.

Music follows history; like every thing else.

I tend to believe that the "baby-boomers" who really started in the interest in popular music, via television, AM radio, movies and shows at 100's of local clubs and bars, are pretty much gone.

Those places are gone, too.

For example, I remember hearing live bands at the Jersey Shore back in the late 60's and early 70's.

Big clubs there had multiple stages with multiple bands, all playing at the same time till 3/4 am.

They were pack with kids.

To my knowledge, there is nothing like that anywhere, today.

AND THERE LIES THE DIFFERENCE.

Like the Swing Era, we're way past that time period.

So music, live or otherwise, now takes a back seat to various techno devices, and other forms of mass communication.

It will most likely never go back to the way it was.

(But, if you were there, it was magic!)

imo.

I miss the old country square dances. Really brought the community together.

 

[Tricone]

I haven't been to a show in over 10yrs. After the ABB retired and Gregg Allman passed away, I lost interest in live music. That being said, I have tickets to see the BBQ Blues Festival with Buddy Guy (first time seeing him)headlining, Kenny Wayne Shephard, and Government Mule and Trombone Shorty the following week. Both in the park downtown. Gotta admit I am nervous about going. I just hope to hear some great music and have a good time.

 

[Telecaster582]

I went to a bluegrass concert my mom learned about on Facebook, the name was literally red white and blue grass, but the actual bluegrass band played like 4 songs, the guys mic died, and the rest was some high school band. Very disappointed, I wouldn't have came out for that. I was excited to go see some live music for the first time on a while too.