Concerts: To Attend or To Watch DVD? That's The Question

Image result for rock concert
In tandem with my earlier post about the Stones touring again and my unbiased opinon on owning live albums, I thought I'd write another posting regarding physically attending a concert (specifically rock),  versus seeing it on DVD.

Let's break down the benefits and drawbacks of each.

PHYSICALLY BEING THERE:

 See the artist/band in person: Not only may you get front house seats to see the artist you've been craving to see up close, but some also offer meet and greets via backstage passes - usually before and/or after the show. This lets you get closer with your favorite artist and if you're lucky, you may even get an autograph :-). This could be a real benefit if you'll be attending one of this year's many farewell tours.

Have an excuse to get out the house: OK this may sound lame, but one of the benefits of actually being at a concert is the fact that you get to be out of the house. It may help with busy schedules and for those that have to work hard and never really get to spend time with family or a friend.

However there are plenty of drawbacks to actual concert attendance folks.

Risk of Hearing Loss: This has to be the DADDY of drawbacks of seeing bands live. If, AND ESPECIALLY IF, you get the front row, you expose your ears to some 115-120 decibals. This is particuarly true with drums, which are usually played hard.

Sound Quality Sub-Par: If hearing loss wasn't enough, you can blame the acoustics of the venue you're in. From my personal experience, and talks with an old friend, the actual music can seem quite distorted during solos. Did I mention that if the mic is bad you could have trouble understanding the commentary between songs?

Crowded: That comes with a big "duh," but it's true. Live shows generally see packed stadiums. At best, there'll be 20,000 fans, but if we're talking a big stadium, such as London's Wembley or NYC's Central Park, there could be 80,000 to even 100,000 fans. Need I say that Paul Simons 1991 concert at Central Park drew 500,000 fans and that some of them even huddled at the entrance just enough to be able to hear? Talk about a hazard.

Pricey Tickets: Unless you're lucky enough to snag a pair via a contest on your favorite radio station, you're talking some BIG bucks to see the bands you've been dying to see. Did I mention that the closer to the stage, the more expensive?

Limited Sight: Taking the above point into consideration, you will more than likely be unable to see the band fully - especially if you sit in the nosebleed. That old friend of mine mentioned that when he and his partner attended a Radiohead show, they looked like little critters onstage from where they were seated. The screens help but not much usually only highlighting a lengthy solo.

OWNING A DVD:

 There are just as many benefits to owning a DVD copy:

See the band (better):  Unlike seeing them at a crowded, hot venue, watching on your HDTV gives you the front row in your living room (except of course no meet and greet). The projections regularly show the band play, and if you pay close attention, you might finally get what it takes to master that guitar solo!

Better audio and no risk of hearing loss: Watching on an HDTV gives you clearer audio (I don't know if anyone knows, but when viewing a live show DVD the crowds are usually muted while the performer sings). Therefore, you clearly hear everything (including the solo notes they screwed up on :-)).

More comfortable: Watching from your recliner on a home theater system sure beats a packed venue where no one can see (or hear) each other.

Takes the fun of being there: Now the biggest (perhaps) drawback. Those who were dying to see someone who is on their farewell tour won't have all teh fun. When you see them live, you have something to remember. Not so on a DVD. However, owning a copy of a DVD of a concert you saw live can serve as something of a momento (in addition to any freebies or stuff they were giving away before the show).

Not every show released on DVD: Folks that's a big one, only so many shows that were recorded were released on a DVD. Fact, sometimes they even combine a live album and a DVD. The live album itself will be limited to part of the show, while the DVD will omit a song or two the live album has.

So what's the bottom line?

 Going to a stadium means a packed crowd, hardship in finding tickets, limited visibility, and hearing loss (especially if going to many shows). Conversely, your recliner could be more comfortable than a seat and watching on your home theater allows you to darken your living room and "bring the venue to your home - " that is without searching, etc.

So darken the room, turn on the TV, and enjoy! My two personal favorites are Fleetwood Mac's The Dance and Elton John's 2000 concert at Madison Square Gardens (why hasn't it been renamed ELTON JOHN Square Gardens or something like that after all it was his most frequented venue)? The Doobie Brothers' Wolf Trap show in November of '04 is also great. Did I mention that all three exist on CD AND DVD sometimes even packaged together?

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