What happened to live music?
Discussion
Have started going to gigs in earnest as part of my MLC and wow, most live gigs suck mainly due to
A) crap PA's
b) crowds sitting down with arms folded miserable fsucks...
What's happened? HSE sound limits?
Went to see the Who recently and so disappointed, PA was garbage, my ears weren't even ringing after...
Wind back to some big gigs 20-30 years ago and everyone was f'ing wasted n really into it and the sound was superb, not only massive SPL's but pure sound..
A) crap PA's
b) crowds sitting down with arms folded miserable fsucks...
What's happened? HSE sound limits?
Went to see the Who recently and so disappointed, PA was garbage, my ears weren't even ringing after...
Wind back to some big gigs 20-30 years ago and everyone was f'ing wasted n really into it and the sound was superb, not only massive SPL's but pure sound..
Things like The Who are mainly going to be older types and in locations subject to more noise restrictions.
Get along to some smaller gigs and you'll save money and see bands in their prime and in a venue with a more up for it crowd.
There are as always some venues about with a knackered PA though - but those are the ones I find leave you with ringing ears!
Get along to some smaller gigs and you'll save money and see bands in their prime and in a venue with a more up for it crowd.
There are as always some venues about with a knackered PA though - but those are the ones I find leave you with ringing ears!
Turn7 said:
Stop going to crap big venues and get to the grass roots venues....
Dead on. The indy seen is frantic with live acts at the moment and some of them are excellent, little venues springing up all over. Andysgriff, where do you live exactly? Get on down to the Hairy Dog or the Rocking Chair or someplace.
otherman said:
Turn7 said:
Stop going to crap big venues and get to the grass roots venues....
Dead on. The indy seen is frantic with live acts at the moment and some of them are excellent, little venues springing up all over. Andysgriff, where do you live exactly? Get on down to the Hairy Dog or the Rocking Chair or someplace.
andysgriff said:
otherman said:
Turn7 said:
Stop going to crap big venues and get to the grass roots venues....
Dead on. The indy seen is frantic with live acts at the moment and some of them are excellent, little venues springing up all over. Andysgriff, where do you live exactly? Get on down to the Hairy Dog or the Rocking Chair or someplace.
See what bands play there.
Check bands tour schedule for further possible venues.
To be honest for those of us in the 50+ age group going to see our heroes who are knocking up for 70 now it's no surprise that it don't cut the mustard anymore.
Remember Knebworth 79 and 200,000 skinny people in Levi jackets and jeans gone to see Zeppelin, went to see Page and Plant 10(?) years ago and it was such a disappointment after Knebworth all those years before, late 70s was the time for music and shows.
Remember Knebworth 79 and 200,000 skinny people in Levi jackets and jeans gone to see Zeppelin, went to see Page and Plant 10(?) years ago and it was such a disappointment after Knebworth all those years before, late 70s was the time for music and shows.
Haha, yeah I was at Knebworth 79, fantastic memories (Chas and Dave on earlier!). Zep played so long (3 hours was it) that our coach driver cleared off and left 50 of us stranded overnight.
Just started going to local pub venues again a couple of years ago and saw some great original stuff, tiny venues so packed enthusiastic audiences. Followed one rocky band in particular who ended up winning a comp and playing at Leeds and Reading to decent crowds. I'd already booked them to play in my garden for a party so they ended up playing there the week after Leeds! Never got anywhere unfortunately.
Just started going to local pub venues again a couple of years ago and saw some great original stuff, tiny venues so packed enthusiastic audiences. Followed one rocky band in particular who ended up winning a comp and playing at Leeds and Reading to decent crowds. I'd already booked them to play in my garden for a party so they ended up playing there the week after Leeds! Never got anywhere unfortunately.
andysgriff said:
Have started going to gigs in earnest as part of my MLC and wow, most live gigs suck mainly due to
A) crap PA's
b) crowds sitting down with arms folded miserable fsucks...
What's happened? HSE sound limits?
Went to see the Who recently and so disappointed, PA was garbage, my ears weren't even ringing after...
Wind back to some big gigs 20-30 years ago and everyone was f'ing wasted n really into it and the sound was superb, not only massive SPL's but pure sound..
Modern PA's have been my gripe for about the last 20 years - absolute Shiite, especially at festivals! I remember Iron Maiden at Donnington in about '88(?), the rig they had was 500,000 watts, was absolutely colossal and shifted massive ammounts of air - hence, you could actually hear AND feel the bands! These crappy little (but apparently very efficient!) speakers you see these days at gigs are neither use nor ornament....no weight to the sound whatsoever! And because of this most Metal gigs these days are way too quiet compared to the 80's, when bands would tour with 'proper' rigs that would literally shake the room! A) crap PA's
b) crowds sitting down with arms folded miserable fsucks...
What's happened? HSE sound limits?
Went to see the Who recently and so disappointed, PA was garbage, my ears weren't even ringing after...
Wind back to some big gigs 20-30 years ago and everyone was f'ing wasted n really into it and the sound was superb, not only massive SPL's but pure sound..
davegreg said:
andysgriff said:
Have started going to gigs in earnest as part of my MLC and wow, most live gigs suck mainly due to
A) crap PA's
b) crowds sitting down with arms folded miserable fsucks...
What's happened? HSE sound limits?
Went to see the Who recently and so disappointed, PA was garbage, my ears weren't even ringing after...
Wind back to some big gigs 20-30 years ago and everyone was f'ing wasted n really into it and the sound was superb, not only massive SPL's but pure sound..
Modern PA's have been my gripe for about the last 20 years - absolute Shiite, especially at festivals! I remember Iron Maiden at Donnington in about '88(?), the rig they had was 500,000 watts, was absolutely colossal and shifted massive ammounts of air - hence, you could actually hear AND feel the bands! These crappy little (but apparently very efficient!) speakers you see these days at gigs are neither use nor ornament....no weight to the sound whatsoever! And because of this most Metal gigs these days are way too quiet compared to the 80's, when bands would tour with 'proper' rigs that would literally shake the room! A) crap PA's
b) crowds sitting down with arms folded miserable fsucks...
What's happened? HSE sound limits?
Went to see the Who recently and so disappointed, PA was garbage, my ears weren't even ringing after...
Wind back to some big gigs 20-30 years ago and everyone was f'ing wasted n really into it and the sound was superb, not only massive SPL's but pure sound..
Turn7 said:
Stop going to crap big venues and get to the grass roots venues....
If it costs more than £30 a ticket, it'll be crap......
I have paid more than that to see many bands recently and the majority have been superb.If it costs more than £30 a ticket, it'll be crap......
Not quite sure who you have been watching, but you have clearly been wasting your brass.
I can see where the OP is coming from and i think the venue plays a huge part.
I went to see Beyonce at the O2. As a show it was very good, as a concert or gig, not so good. The performer is miles from the majority of the crowd so has to use video, fireworks and dancers to project across the arena.
Contrast this with Billy Idol. Saw him in December at Hammersmith Odeon?Apollo whatever it's called now.
Absolutely FANTASTIC. Standing room only, a hot and loud venue, Billy and band on form and you could see them properly.
I'd always favour a smaller venue.
I went to see Beyonce at the O2. As a show it was very good, as a concert or gig, not so good. The performer is miles from the majority of the crowd so has to use video, fireworks and dancers to project across the arena.
Contrast this with Billy Idol. Saw him in December at Hammersmith Odeon?Apollo whatever it's called now.
Absolutely FANTASTIC. Standing room only, a hot and loud venue, Billy and band on form and you could see them properly.
I'd always favour a smaller venue.
MarshPhantom said:
Been to s
tloads of gigs, I can count the ones I've really enjoyed on one finger. Wedding Present and FLC spring to mind.
Concerts just aren't much fun.
Been going to gigs regularly since 1982, still enjoy them as much now as I did then and can't ever see that changing. Only real irritants now are the mobile phones people insist on filming gigs/blocking the view with, IMHO just enjoy the moment through your eyes and remember it that way!tloads of gigs, I can count the ones I've really enjoyed on one finger. Wedding Present and FLC spring to mind.Concerts just aren't much fun.
OP if you think live music is too quiet go and see Mogwai next time they play, this may restore your faith that some bands still play at an "appropriate" volume.
I went to see Metallica last year (whilst in Sydney). F*ck me it was loud, really , really loud. By about 2/3 of the way through I actually started to fear for my hearing and jammed some chewed up ticket stub in my ears. I play in a band and are used to loud concerts, but this was on another level.
Glad it's not just me then, Monsters of Rock was superb for years, properly loud, especially ACDC. Hoping they (ACDC) can restore my faith on their 2015 gig at Wembly.
andysgriff said:
davegreg said:
andysgriff said:
Have started going to gigs in earnest as part of my MLC and wow, most live gigs suck mainly due to
A) crap PA's
b) crowds sitting down with arms folded miserable fsucks...
What's happened? HSE sound limits?
Went to see the Who recently and so disappointed, PA was garbage, my ears weren't even ringing after...
Wind back to some big gigs 20-30 years ago and everyone was f'ing wasted n really into it and the sound was superb, not only massive SPL's but pure sound..
Modern PA's have been my gripe for about the last 20 years - absolute Shiite, especially at festivals! I remember Iron Maiden at Donnington in about '88(?), the rig they had was 500,000 watts, was absolutely colossal and shifted massive ammounts of air - hence, you could actually hear AND feel the bands! These crappy little (but apparently very efficient!) speakers you see these days at gigs are neither use nor ornament....no weight to the sound whatsoever! And because of this most Metal gigs these days are way too quiet compared to the 80's, when bands would tour with 'proper' rigs that would literally shake the room! A) crap PA's
b) crowds sitting down with arms folded miserable fsucks...
What's happened? HSE sound limits?
Went to see the Who recently and so disappointed, PA was garbage, my ears weren't even ringing after...
Wind back to some big gigs 20-30 years ago and everyone was f'ing wasted n really into it and the sound was superb, not only massive SPL's but pure sound..
davegreg said:
Modern PA's have been my gripe for about the last 20 years - absolute Shiite, especially at festivals! I remember Iron Maiden at Donnington in about '88(?), the rig they had was 500,000 watts, was absolutely colossal and shifted massive ammounts of air - hence, you could actually hear AND feel the bands! These crappy little (but apparently very efficient!) speakers you see these days at gigs are neither use nor ornament....no weight to the sound whatsoever! And because of this most Metal gigs these days are way too quiet compared to the 80's, when bands would tour with 'proper' rigs that would literally shake the room!
Nothing to do with the systems. Everything to do with imposed and enforced dB limits, especially at festivals.It is infuriating, but they are conditions of license so no getting away from it.
Edited by GCH on Saturday 3rd January 16:34
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