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 don’t get it either - I love festivals and live music, gigs etc but never bother with stadium acts anymore.

I have never liked arena concerts, small band gigs or music festivals where I can find my way to the front are fine. I actually fell asleep when I saw Madonna at Wembley and was right at the back!

I do enjoy them but at a big stadium it’s hard to get right near the front and although you’ve got the screens it’s not quite the same. I am relieved my teen dc doesn’t want Taylor Swift tickets even though she’s playing in my city.

YANBU. I got free tickets to see the Arctic Monkeys recently, we were seated near the back of a large stadium. The band were great, but I’d never have paid for that experience as they were so far away, it could have been a v talented Monkeys tribute!

I think many people know no different, though, so they don’t know what they’re missing!

I've never been to an arena show, but it doesn't appeal to me either. When I was young I saw a lot of bands, but they were all indoors in much smaller venues, which I prefer. To be honest I'm glad I saw the bands I did in those days, while it is admirable that many musicians keep playing until they are in their 70s/80s I would far rather have seen them when they were young and new.

I saw Pulp in Sheffield last night and it was incredible. The crowd made Common People the most amazing experience.

I get what you are saying about arena show being big etc and smaller venues are better and yes they can be. However, I'm 5'1 and at smaller gigs, without fail 30 seconds before the show starts some 6'3 bloke comes and stands in front of me and I spend the gig looking at people's backs and being jostled around.

At Sheffield Arena last night I was in lovely tiered seats which meant I could see every move the god (and I'll hear no arguments otherwise) Jarvis made and I could see the musicians and the staging and it was probably the best gig I've ever been to.

We saw Iron Maiden at the o2 week before last- in the nosebleeder seats but the view was spot on and the sound was just incredible. Nothing beats guitar solos live. But I also go to lots of much much smaller gigs, like maybe 200 people and still have a great time.

I saw them Friday. They were amazing. I was in the seats and just about everybody was up dancing. I don’t normally like arena gigs but I’m still on a high from that one.

I go to a lot of gigs, I only go to Stadium gigs if I'm really desperate to see the band or artist. I don't really get the 'l paid for better tickets' comments.
Recently I managed to get two Harry Styles tickets for myself and my daughter (her choice of artist not mine). We got the tickets we were allotted - it was sold out in minutes. They were opposite the stage but a mile away from the front, half way up the tiers. We watched the whole show on screens, a lot of people around us seemed more interested in filming it or talking and drinking rather than watching it. Harry gave it his all but it was curiously uninvolving.
I find quite often at gigs the audience are talking throughout a performance and people are back and forwards to the bar for drinks. Just go to the bloody pub for Gods sake!
Conversely I've been to Glastonbury a few times and although you're in a bigger crowd, further back usually (for headliners anyway) and watching the screens rather the stage, the atmosphere is phenomenal and people seem to be far more in the moment.

It's all very well people saying that they prefer smaller gigs but if you like a huge artists they are going to have huge shows. Unlikely to be playing at your local on the corner. Many people may go because it's the only way to experience the artist.

I'm with you. But I don't like crowds and standing up. I like going to the theatre so if I'm going on an expensive outing I'd rather do that, or go on a short break.

For some bands there isn't much choice anymore as they don't play smaller venues. Personally I think the atmosphere makes it, and it's not like the speakers are from argos- they are designed to give the best experience as is the lighting and screens etc. I don't mind sitting in the crap seats as it's usually substantially cheaper than elsewhere, I wouldn't be happy paying the same as for standing or lower bowl seats though! Some bands I think suit this environment more than others, RHCP for example were incredible whereas although I'm a fan of Ed Sheeran I feel like being right in the nosebleeds wasn't that great.

DH and I both love Depeche Mode and their arena gigs are a transcendent experience. They know exactly what to do and the crowd responds joyously. Recently took DD to see Harry Styles somewhat unwillingly (on my part) and we had the time of our lives. Really lovely crowd spirit.

My family and I love music though. It's a really important part of our lives. If it isn't a primary driver for you and you hate crowds I get why you'd dislike arena gigs.

Another thing that puts me off is the difficulty in getting tickets. I have two DDs that would probably like to see Harry Styles or Taylor Swift. I looked into getting tickets and saw that, if you were lucky enough to get a code, you had to be online at 10am on a Tuesday morning. Not possible when you're a primary school teacher.

I've seen blur and pulp this week. Much preferred Sheffield to Wembley. Wembley was a bit too big for my liking but it was still brilliant. We had seats right opposite the stage, but we were quite far away. Also saw Elton on his final tour. I've been to loads of gigs over the years at various sized venues and enjoyed every single one.

Live music is ace. It's the atmosphere, the people, the ridiculously expensive drinks

I agree OP. Seeing someone at Wembley Vs somewhere like The Troxy is a completely different ballgame. I prefer smaller venues all day long.

It's definitely worth going, big gigs like that are amazing, but I don't think it's worth paying loads and loads of money. £60 seems alright. Over £100 I'd struggle to justify, unless it's like a festival where you get to see loads of bands.

I'm with you. I'm lucky to get free corporate tickets but I'd resent the cost if I paid hundreds of pounds to sit in the gods of the big arenas. I prefer the O2 to Wembley as you feel nearer to the stage.

Best concert I've been to was Coldplay at the Shepherds Bush Empire a couple of years ago. It's like a theatre so you can see the band really clearly. I don't think anything will compare (and I saw Ed Sheeran and Adele last year).

Shepherds Bush is a great venue! I was lucky enough to see Ronnie Spector there not long before she passed. Such great views and acoustics, no matter where you're sitting.

I was also at Pulp last night, it was absolutely awesome wasn't it!

I'm sure most of us would prefer to worship at the church of Jarvis in a more intimate setting but I'll take what I can get 😁

I love a good stadium or arena gig, they can be magical, especially a stadium on a balmy summer evening in the open air and everyone around you belting their hearts out! (Killers, Coldplay, Take That especially exceptional).

But not a fan of comedians in arenas - you lose so much, the sound Is echoey, it can be really disappointing. Much better in a smaller venue where they can interact with the audience.

I love a good stadium or arena gig, they can be magical, especially a stadium on a balmy summer evening in the open air and everyone around you belting their hearts out! (Killers, Coldplay, Take That especially exceptional).

Aw yeah this - a warm summer eve watching the sun go down surrounded by other people singing - generally a feel good vibe. Harry Styles this year, Coldplay last year, and TT the circus in 2009 were prob my favourites

As I said it's a long time since I went to a gig, but I used to be able to make my way to the front and would spend the entire night right up at the stage, which is magical and can't be compared to sitting miles away from the action.

It's the atmosphere for me. It makes me feel electric. I've been the furthest away you can be from the stage and it was still amazing. That can't be replicated on TV. But I think some people just love live music and some don't🤷‍♀️my DH doesn't get it either.

I prefer venues like the o2 to Wembley, but took my DD to see Harry Styles recently and had the most amazing time. The atmosphere was incredible.

A few months ago I went to see Gwen Dickey and the Real Thing at the Dominion Theatre in London and it was absolutely fantastic. Such an intimate experience, almost like a private party and only cost £15. I'm not particularly a fan of either but my friend wanted to go for her birthday and it was a truly incredible night.