To not understand the appeal of arena music shows?

[wellingtonsandwaffles]

YABU - arena shows are great
YANBU - don’t get it either

Please help me understand the appeal! I understand if you’ve spent ££££ and are close enough to see the artist but in all the pictures I’ve seen recently of people going to big shows, they are so far back it seems as though they’d be watching the show through the screens anyway. I’d be very surprised if they can see anything properly on the stage.

I understand the draw of a big crowd and atmosphere but is that really enough to warrant £100+ tickets each?

I also understand that for many kids musicians are idols. But this isn’t limited to Taylor Swift, all big musicians put on these huge shows and huge numbers of people go from around the world. I just don’t get it!

AIBU?

clearly getting old

If IABU please help me understand and share what is great about massive concerts - particularly for the everyday goer who is miles back!

I think it’s the communal celebration that is so joyous and uplifting. You feel part of something and it feels quite…spiritual. That’s been my experience anyway.

Mind you, I’m convinced these days a lot of youngsters are in it for the photos and videos they can upload to social media. A lot of ‘I was there’ type showing off.

I agree with you really OP. I’ve been to a few and a couple I paid a lot for really good tickets which were amazing, you really felt the atmosphere and I enjoyed it but the ones I’ve been to and sat further back just aren’t the same. I much prefer going to small venues to see bands.

It’s partly shared atmosphere, they do usually have stuff going on, screens, staging etc that you can see even from far away.

and partly just that once an artist is at a certain level it’s see them live in a big venue or not at all.

I recently saw Micky Flanagan in an arena and it was brilliant hearing thousands of people bursting out laughing.

There is also something about the sound of a drum kit through a massive PA system that you just can’t replicate watching it on TV. Though the artists who rely so much on tech to sort out their album sound and thus are tat when it’s just them and a microphone I don’t get, but those who can perform live it is worth it.

It's for the atmosphere.

Singing along to your favourite songs with thousands of other people is an amazing feeling.

It's basically atmosphere- and depending on the artist this can be amazing. Unless you're at the very front no concert is 'worth it' visually- but there are screens which help. Having been to festivals, and concerts I'd go again for someone I really enjoyed for the atmosphere and the teeny tiny artist 😂

My head is still buzzing from seeing Pulp last night. I’ve seen a lot of bands in venues large and small over the years - but an entire stadium singing common people was an incredible moment. You don’t get that in a smaller venue.

They're only good if you have decent seats really. Sitting or standing far back you don’t even feel the atmosphere as much in my experience, esp in stadium gigs.

Ok, am jealous now 😂

I saw the killers last year, the atmosphere was amazing, tickets were fairly reasonable at £60 for standing and they didn't price gouge with different sections- I was at the front for about half.

I have standing tickets for Taylor Swift but they wanted extra for the front so we aren't at the front! I have very happy you d ladies

And I missed out on pulp tickets, still annoyed!

As for the best concert recently? I recommend Skerryvore - tiny venue only 700 people, electric atmosphere. Look them up on Spotify but they sound so much better live. Off to sidmouth folk festival to see them again if anyone wants to meet up! Scottish fusion pop/rock/folk

This, along with the atmosphere.

It’s good you don’t “get it” It leaves tickets free for the rest of us who want to enjoy ourselves.

The atmosphere, the sound, being with that many people who are there for the same thing, the idea that the artist/band has tens of thousands of people in the palm of their hand.

And...it seems a bit obvious but if you want to see your favourite star live there often aren't any other options. I mean I'm sure DD would love Taylor Swift to come to our local public halls (capacity 500) .....but that's not gonna happen so she's got tickets for Wembley.

Ok I overlooked that beyond “atmosphere” there’s something United in it - liked the description of it being almost “spiritual”, can sort of relate to that.

and am fully aware I sound grumpy and old but I do enjoy other smaller sized comedy / theatre / music! Just never been drawn to the big ones

Its very different having heard someone live to a recording too. Little comments they say and things that happen that may not in a recording.

I went to see Elton John in April we were far back yes but my big thing was I wanted yo have seen him live once. I'm so thrilled I did.

I’m with you on this.

I saw Pulp at Middlesbrough town hall decades ago and it was fab. Friends saw them at Sheffield arena the other night, I wasn’t slightly tempted.

I don’t like them either, I always pay extra to stand in front the times I can’t resist attending one. I am near sighted I can’t be two miles in back.

Appropriate user name.

Op was only asking.

I didn't get it either, until I went to a concert for the first time and I loved it.

I read a quote on this somewhere that basically said that people who believe in God and believe that they’re moved by the Holy Spirit during worship/church services just haven’t been to a concert and had the “spiritual” feeling of being part of a collective crowd experience. Same feeling.

I'm jealous of the people saying they pay extra to stand at the front. The last few concerts I've got tickets for by the time I've gone through the waiting process those options are always gone!

I much prefer smaller shows, and don’t do arena unless I can get a really good spot at the front.

Im not sure the same will happen with Taylor Swift, but many of the artists from my youth (80s!) are now doing smaller more intimate gigs as well as big arena shows. I think a lot of artists welcome these opportunities too.

Massive crowds of people are my idea of hell, so for that reason alone YANBU.