Arena Gigs? Why bother?

Creed_Clicks · July 2023

Just saw this clip of Blur at Wembley. I will take into account, it's via a mobile phone. But way up there in the skies, it looks like zero atmosphere. Unless you are near the stage, arena gigs seem like total sh*t these days. My arena gig days are well over in any case.
My last ones were Radiohead and QOTSA, both awful. Awful sound. Lack of ambience/atmosphere. Crowd more interested in chatting and going for beers constantly than watching the gig. Just a drone of noise for the whole gig. G`nR outdoors was rubbish as well a few years ago. Stood the bones of half a mile or more from the stage. Never again.

barnstorm · July 2023

Creed_Clicks said:

Awful sound.

I've never been to a stadium gig where the sound was good. Have been to one great arena gig (O2), and I was far back so I'm pretty sure everybody had a fantastic time that night.

Happily/sadly most of the acts I like can only sell out smaller venues, anyway.

Jo-to-po · July 2023

Some acts work in stadiums. I saw Bruce Springsteen at Wembley ~10 years ago and it was mega. Very much the exception rather than the rule, though!

slugelise · July 2023

The downside of being at the front, hearing way too much of Manu katche and feeling the breeze from his bass drum.

EricTheWeary · July 2023

My son was at the Blur gig on Saturday. I shall quiz him later but I think the sound was okay from what he said (sound recording being his specialist thing). The behaviour of other people constantly tatting about with mobile phones and engaging in long, shouty conversations I find off-putting.
My son's friend is an injured serviceman (he got punched in the head at a club in Peterborough where apparently there are locals who don't like the local RAF, sort of a down at heel Top Gun, unscathed from the actual service business) and went as the carer for him as Blur had given a bunch of tickets to Help for Heroes.

slugelise · July 2023

All stadium gigs now use linear arrays, speakers stacked on top of each other. Solves one issue of sound varying horizontally. Although Springsteen sound was pretty shit at villa park.

Danny1969 · July 2023

You can get a fantastic stadium experience with sound and visuals but it's expensive. Floyd at Wembly stadium was just superb in the late eighties. Waters at the new stadium in 2014 ish was jaw droppingly good sounding and visually spectacular. His 02 gig last month also sounding great and looked fantastic, playing in the round with a massive wall screen. Trouble is once you have seen how it can be done it makes everyone else's show look shit. I saw the Stones 2 months after Waters and what a disappointment that was. Just a big array at the front, couple of screens each side and a catwalk for Jagger. That was it so it looked and sounded weak.

The trouble is the artist has to care about the sound and also be in a position to specify what's required to give everyone a nice experience equipment wise. These days a lot of big tours like The Stones, U2, GnR etc are sold as a package to massive companies like Clear Channel, who pretty much run the big concert racket now worldwide.

There's still something special about a 500 / 600 cap venue where no matter where you are you are right in the thick of it and see the actual performers rather than a screen. I still love that.

It's a shame Rambling Man festival in Kent isn't a thing anymore. I went twice and all the stages had great sound and views.

LionAquaLooper · July 2023

I've had the good fortune of seeing Snarky Puppy at small London venues when they were still up and coming and those were THE best gigs I've ever been to bar none. But as soon as they moved to arenas I stayed away. The admission fee alone is a turn off. The biggest venue I saw them at was Scala in Kings X and I was up in the rafters and it was just a crap experience.

Creed_Clicks · July 2023

Maybe it depends on the genre of music. I notice anything with distorted guitars seems to turn to crap. I did see Don Henley of all people in an arena, and the sound was exceptional, even from way back. Much prefer small to medium type venues these days, and as previous poster mentioned, a lot of bands I like these days don't play arenas.

stickyfiddle · July 2023

Stadiums and arenas can be amazing when done right. Muse are normally spectacular with a massive show, U2 are always phenomenal and have been for 25+ years now, and Coldplay put on a bloody good atmosphere (whatever you think of the music).

But so often the sound is atrocious.

I'm biased as I just went to a couple on holiday, but my favourite venues are theatres and mid-sized amphitheatres. We saw The National and Death Cab for Cutie in 5000-ish-cap outdoor amphitheatres in the US and both were just phenomenal. Small enough to feel relatively intimate, but big enough that getting tickets is actually feasible.

Reverend · July 2023

Just saw Maiden both nights at the O2, and the sound was great where I stood but only bands like Maiden ca really make the really big rooms work.
For a stadium to work you need Freddie.

Creed_Clicks · July 2023

@Reverend I was going to mention Queen / Wembley gig. Unbelievable.

lamf68 · July 2023

Blur at Wembley on Saturday night was quite possibly one of the greatest gigs I’ve witnessed, top 5 definitely…sound was phenomenal where we were sat which was roughly halfway line in the lowest tier. Sleaford Mods sound was diabolically bad but think that was just them(never heard such fakery in my life) Jockstrap first support act, singers voice was amazing through whatever they put her through but the mix from the keyboard guy was too fucking high, other support band Self Esteem I had zero interest in and didn’t listen to more than 30 seconds of them before staring at my phone for the half hour they were on…only thing with the blur sound was the bass could have been louder but that may have been my seating position.

Dontgiveupyourdayjob · July 2023

Jo-to-po said:

Some acts work in stadiums. I saw Bruce Springsteen at Wembley ~10 years ago and it was mega. Very much the exception rather than the rule, though!

I saw Bruce at Murrayfield in May and saw him at Hampden Park a few years ago - was bloody brilliant both times. Have to say though, both times my seats were considerably better than the ones shown in the pic above.

I probably wouldn't bother if I knew the seats were going to be crap - you just end up watching the show on the big screens, might as well just watch other people's videos on Youtube after the fact!

Litterick · July 2023

Creed_Clicks said:

Just saw this clip of Blur at Wembley. I will take into account, it's via a mobile phone.

The mobile phones are a curse. Everybody is making a movie, rather than giving the band their full attention. Meanwhile, all the people, so many people, who never cared for Song 2 go hand in hand to the bar.

munckee · July 2023

lamf68 said:

Blur at Wembley on Saturday night was quite possibly one of the greatest gigs I’ve witnessed, top 5 definitely…sound was phenomenal where we were sat which was roughly halfway line in the lowest tier. Sleaford Mods sound was diabolically bad but think that was just them(never heard such fakery in my life) Jockstrap first support act, singers voice was amazing through whatever they put her through but the mix from the keyboard guy was too fucking high, other support band Self Esteem I had zero interest in and didn’t listen to more than 30 seconds of them before staring at my phone for the half hour they were on…only thing with the blur sound was the bass could have been louder but that may have been my seating position.

Did they play much from modern life is rubbish (the heyday for me!)

lamf68 · July 2023

munckee said:

lamf68 said:

Blur at Wembley on Saturday night was quite possibly one of the greatest gigs I’ve witnessed, top 5 definitely…sound was phenomenal where we were sat which was roughly halfway line in the lowest tier. Sleaford Mods sound was diabolically bad but think that was just them(never heard such fakery in my life) Jockstrap first support act, singers voice was amazing through whatever they put her through but the mix from the keyboard guy was too fucking high, other support band Self Esteem I had zero interest in and didn’t listen to more than 30 seconds of them before staring at my phone for the half hour they were on…only thing with the blur sound was the bass could have been louder but that may have been my seating position.

Did they play much from modern life is rubbish (the heyday for me!)

Villa Rosie, For Tomorrow, Advert and Oily Water….was praying for Colin Zeal but didn’t materialise…they did Sunday Sunday additionally on Sunday though…great night mate.

Neilybob · July 2023

Totally with you on this @Creed_Clicks ;

Why pay the ever increasing costs and hassle, instead support local bands more. I've recently searched up local music venues to my social media to follow.

This was my view of Motley Crud and Def Leppard. Sounded ok but no real atmosphere and this wasn't even the cheapest tickets!

axisus · July 2023

The biggest I've been to is Wembley Arena, seen both Van Halen and also Satriani there. Although I enjoyed both gigs the problems were:

too expensive
sound not great
too far away
Getting there plus getting out after a pain

I wouldn't go to any big gigs now, in fact I turned down a free ticket for both the Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi. The gigs I love are £20-£30 and I often get to stand right in front of the guitarist.

barnstorm · July 2023

lamf68 said:

Blur at Wembley on Saturday night was quite possibly one of the greatest gigs I’ve witnessed, top 5 definitely…sound was phenomenal where we were sat which was roughly halfway line in the lowest tier. Sleaford Mods sound was diabolically bad but think that was just them(never heard such fakery in my life) Jockstrap first support act, singers voice was amazing through whatever they put her through but the mix from the keyboard guy was too fucking high, other support band Self Esteem I had zero interest in and didn’t listen to more than 30 seconds of them before staring at my phone for the half hour they were on…only thing with the blur sound was the bass could have been louder but that may have been my seating position.

One of my mates, a non-native speaker, loves Sleaford Mods. I always enjoy it when he gets in touch to ask about a lyric that turns out to be about a Nottingham bus route or something, but the music is utterly beyond me.

Philly_Q · July 2023

I've never really liked huge venues. The only time I've been to Wembley Stadium was to see AC/DC some years ago. When the headliner's on they do at least have the big screens, but one of the support bands was The Answer and I remember thinking they're so far away, it could just be four random people and a backing tape.

Philly_Q · July 2023

LionAquaLooper said:

I've had the good fortune of seeing Snarky Puppy at small London venues when they were still up and coming and those were THE best gigs I've ever been to bar none. But as soon as they moved to arenas I stayed away. The admission fee alone is a turn off. The biggest venue I saw them at was Scala in Kings X and I was up in the rafters and it was just a crap experience.

That confused me for a moment, I once saw King's X at the Scala. King's X at the Scala in King's X.

GoldenEraGuitars · July 2023

Our “local” venue is the SSE in Belfast. Absolutely superb venue for sound. Every seat has a decent view as well

lamf68 · July 2023

barnstorm said:

lamf68 said:

Blur at Wembley on Saturday night was quite possibly one of the greatest gigs I’ve witnessed, top 5 definitely…sound was phenomenal where we were sat which was roughly halfway line in the lowest tier. Sleaford Mods sound was diabolically bad but think that was just them(never heard such fakery in my life) Jockstrap first support act, singers voice was amazing through whatever they put her through but the mix from the keyboard guy was too fucking high, other support band Self Esteem I had zero interest in and didn’t listen to more than 30 seconds of them before staring at my phone for the half hour they were on…only thing with the blur sound was the bass could have been louder but that may have been my seating position.

One of my mates, a non-native speaker, loves Sleaford Mods. I always enjoy it when he gets in touch to ask about a lyric that turns out to be about a Nottingham bus route or something, but the music is utterly beyond me.

I’d never listened to them before Saturday, was stunned they actually were a real thing!!! Absolute shit on a biscuit, some fella wandering around the stage seemingly fucked up on ketamine while doing all weird (again what felt like) fake ticks and shit, and some other bozo doing a shit Bez impression the other side of the stage…really didn’t get it! I’m all for new and exciting stuff but this was beyond comprehension. I’ve had a quick look at them on YouTube today and can honestly say I’ll never waste a minute of my time doing it again.

stickyfiddle · July 2023

Agreed on Sleaford Mods. I assume it's some sort of ironic art project that got out of hand.

As for the actual question from OP, I think my actual answer is "because you can't see those acts in a club or theatre". Sprignsteen/U2/Blur/Taylor Swift/etc ain't doing small shows, so if you want to see them you have to go to a big show.

I love a good small gig but I'd rather see a band I adore in a stadium than one I'm meh on in a club

lustycourtier · July 2023

Sleaford Mods are incredible. Ive never heard anyone say otherwise until I read this today. Was completely baffled by them at first, but once you get it, wow. Same with Yard Act.

Creed_Clicks · July 2023

I find the people giving out about the Sleaford Mods in this thread hilarious. Grrrr.... no guitars.....

sweave · July 2023

Saw AC DC at Wembley a few years back and, where I was sitting, the sound was so bad I couldn't even tell what the track was!

Jfingers · July 2023

EricTheWeary said:

My son was at the Blur gig on Saturday. I shall quiz him later but I think the sound was okay from what he said (sound recording being his specialist thing). The behaviour of other people constantly tatting about with mobile phones and engaging in long, shouty conversations I find off-putting.
My son's friend is an injured serviceman (he got punched in the head at a club in Peterborough where apparently there are locals who don't like the local RAF, sort of a down at heel Top Gun, unscathed from the actual service business) and went as the carer for him as Blur had given a bunch of tickets to Help for Heroes.

Is that RAF Marham? We passed through that area at the weekend and the locals did come across a bit 'fighty' Nice part of the country though.

roberty · July 2023

lustycourtier said:

Sleaford Mods are incredible. Ive never heard anyone say otherwise until I read this today. Was completely baffled by them at first, but once you get it, wow. Same with Yard Act.

I am also a fan. Seen them a handful of times and have maybe 10 of their records. My dad hates them though... ;-p

As for stadium shows, it's not just about the music, it's a collective experience. Which is why I try to avoid them

Jfingers · July 2023

I much prefer small gigs. Grant Lee Phillips at the blue moon in Cambridge was like a religious experience. Green mind promote gigs there, I've just had a quick look at their website. Upcoming they have Robyn Hitchcock, Kristin Hersh, Tom Robinson. You can keep your stadiums ta.

I'm a big fan of Dan Stuart of Green On Red. The last few times myself and Mrs J have seen him we've been sat at a table with our drinks or on a sofa with our drinks. It's much more civilized.

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