Letters to the Editor

Live-music dos and don'ts Are you fed up with lackluster concerts? Share your live-music picks and pans. [2007-06-28]

• A few tips about picking the right shows...

  Instead of recommending certain artists, I will instead offer a few tips to help you avoid bad experiences in the future.

  1. Go to small venues. The smaller the venue the more likely you are to enjoy the show. This is partly due to all the hangers-on who go to larger shows. They often are not interested in the music, just being seen there. Most of my bad experiences have been with jerks in large crowds.

  2. Stand close to the stage. For every step closer you get to the musicians the experience gets significantly better. It is scary at first but soon it becomes addicting. Getting closer makes you more a part of the performance itself. It helps you appreciate the skill of the artist too. Fewer people are in front of you to ruin your experience. One drawback is that often the sound is not complete close to the stage.

  3. Avoid big name acts. Big egos, big crowds. You don't have to deal with it if you take a little time to search out well-reviewed but less popular artists. They appreciate you and often give a great performance even if the crowd is small. Small crowds can be more enthusiastic, which has a positive effect on the performance. I went to one show and I was the only one there (other than the supporting bands) due to a last-minute schedule change. It was one of the best shows ever.

  4. The best thing you can do to insure your enjoyment is to become familiar with the music they will play. Seeing a band without knowing their music makes it a crapshoot. Knowing the songs makes you a more passionate listener.

  -- geargrinder
  [Read geargrinder's other letters]
  Permalink Flag Wednesday, June 27, 2007 07:39 PM
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