Live Shows...

[cramx3]

Scream for me (place town here)!!

[The Walrus]

Isn't there a story in DT's book about the early days with one of their waaaaay early auditioned singers who said at a show "scream for me [city name]" but got the city completely wrong? 

[cramx3]

  that does sound familiar

[Anguyen92]

Isn't there a story in DT's book about the early days with one of their waaaaay early auditioned singers who said at a show "scream for me [city name]" but got the city completely wrong? 

Steve Stone is the guy.  I think he stated Scream for Me, Long Beach, when the show was in Long Island or close to it?

[Stadler]

Isn't there a story in DT's book about the early days with one of their waaaaay early auditioned singers who said at a show "scream for me [city name]" but got the city completely wrong? 

Steve Stone is the guy.  I think he stated Scream for Me, Long Beach, when the show was in Long Island or close to it?

Yes and he kept doing it.  I forget if it was him making a joke or being clueless, but I'm pretty sure that led directly to his firing.

[Cool Chris]

...it's just less stressful [going solo], wondering if someone is digging whatever it is I'm listening to...

That's essentially how I feel about going to shows solo. There was a point in my life where I was really alone, and I got tired of missing out on things because I didn't have anyone to share the experience with. Till one day I just said "screw it! Why should going it alone prevent me from enjoying myself?"

I have yet to go to a show where I didn't end up in line with someone or get stuck next to someone, and strike up a conversation...  it's not like we're best friends now or anything, but we're both there for the music, and so there's a commonality. 

I have long wished I could be that guy, but I have come to accept it just isn't who I am.

Being surrounded by other people, regardless of age/sex/race/whatever, and everyone is "united" in a sense

You said that succinctly well. That is at the top for me, more so than most other factors you and others have mentioned.

And in case anyone caught the dichotomy in my post, all I have to say is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuAXFchvio8

[TAC]

I have yet to go to a show where I didn't end up in line with someone or get stuck next to someone, and strike up a conversation...  it's not like we're best friends now or anything, but we're both there for the music, and so there's a commonality.   

You know from the UFO Listening Party that I apparently talked to a dude at a UFO show in 1986 who remembered me at a Schenker show in 1992. WTF?

[LudwigVan]

I love people watching at concerts and I see plenty of people going to shows solo.

The last Opeth show I saw at the Beacon, there was a solo girl next to me. She wasn’t a stunner or anything, maybe even a little nerdy with curly dark hair and glasses. But when she started singing along and gently swaying to the music, I kinda fell in love for that short time.

Then when I was waiting at the merchandise line to pick up an Opeth tee, I spotted a middle-aged black woman waiting patiently in line to get one for herself, clearly not the demographic you expect at a progressive death metal show. It gave me a smile.

[cramx3]

Yea, I not only people watch, I chat a lot with strangers at concerts. I met a gay couple that were "furries" at the last Epica concert in NYC.  I don't know why they told me that, but it just shows that there's a diverse group of people at concerts and everyone (for the most part, there's always a few assholes) is friendly.

[Ben_Jamin]

Yea, I not only people watch, I chat a lot with strangers at concerts. I met a gay couple that were "furries" at the last Epica concert in NYC.  I don't know why they told me that, but it just shows that there's a diverse group of people at concerts and everyone (for the most part, there's always a few assholes) is friendly.

 

I have met some cool people. Especially at the local shows, as it's almost like we're a rare type of person.  The ones who enjoy the Prog Metal. I've met some local musicians this way, because they know of and enjoy a variety of bands. Not just the Radio Metal Bands, the bands that get to be played on the radio and Satellite radio all the time.

That's the trade-off I love about living here in Albuquerque, getting to see bands personally, where in the big cities they would be selling out some good sized venues.

And by close...I mean this close...

Leprous




This is how big the stage is...

[The Walrus]

Jeeze. I saw Stratovarius play a stage about the same size - outside of Chicago, of all places - in the corner of a section of a sports bar. During the solos, you could literally walk up to the stage steps and take a photo with Timo Kotipelto. Small clubs RULE. 

[Ben_Jamin]

Jeeze. I saw Stratovarius play a stage about the same size - outside of Chicago, of all places - in the corner of a section of a sports bar. During the solos, you could literally walk up to the stage steps and take a photo with Timo Kotipelto. Small clubs RULE. 

 

This is the venue where I was talking to Animals As Leaders Merch lady, and while we were talking, she mentions to me "What's your favorite song?" I said "Wave of Babies" she then told me "I'll give you a free shirt if you stage dive" I was a bit buzzed, and said sure, it's a free shirt. She told the guy next to her, who was also with the tour, that "You heard what I said right?" He just nodded and smiled. So As Animals As Leaders comes on, I hear Wave of Babies, run to let her know, she sees me. I go on stage right and Jump into the crowd, which was packed, and then got escorted out. I think it was the owner, because he gave me a good "If you do that again, on my stage, i'm gonna have to throw you out." I said fine, went back inside, and got my free Animals As Leaders shirt which I still wear to this day...

Edit: I also want to add, at this same show. Me and my friend were waiting in line to get inside, and Tosin was in the front. My friend, the one who introduced me to Djent bands like AAL, noticed it was Tosin. The funny part...They weren't going to let him inside the venue because he didn't have an ID or a Passport, because, I forgot if it was he left it in the hotel room or their luggage got delayed. He was arguing with the front  door guy saying his Laptop was in there, and he was the main band guy. Finally, the owner came out and let him in. Me and My friend laughed our asses off...

[The Walrus]

That's awesome!! 

[cramx3]

That's a pretty cool story and I certainly like smaller clubs too, just not really common for me to find a band I really like in such a small venue though.

For my local place, its small enough that there's no real back stage entrance for the bands to come out from.  So there's two sides, usually the opener uses one side and the headliner the other.  And you can pretty much just stand there at the entrance (it's open, that's how you get to the bathrooms, but they slide the barrier over to block it before the band comes on/off the stage.  Just chilling in that spot has lead me to meet a ton of musicians... but the best was when Devin Townsend Project played and the drummer, Ryan, handed me his setlist as he was walking off and then Devin stopped and signed it for me as he was getting off.  I've got a picture with Roger from Less Than Jake before they took the stage, I told him a story about the first time seeing them and then he mentioned it on stage during their set which was really cool. 

[MoraWintersoul]

Me and my friend were waiting in line to get inside, and Tosin was in the front. My friend, the one who introduced me to Djent bands like AAL, noticed it was Tosin. The funny part...They weren't going to let him inside the venue because he didn't have an ID or a Passport, because, I forgot if it was he left it in the hotel room or their luggage got delayed. He was arguing with the front  door guy saying his Laptop was in there, and he was the main band guy. Finally, the owner came out and let him in. Me and My friend laughed our asses off...

HAHAHA. That's what he gets for wearing a T-shirt and jeans, looking like a regular guy

[Ben_Jamin]

Me and my friend were waiting in line to get inside, and Tosin was in the front. My friend, the one who introduced me to Djent bands like AAL, noticed it was Tosin. The funny part...They weren't going to let him inside the venue because he didn't have an ID or a Passport, because, I forgot if it was he left it in the hotel room or their luggage got delayed. He was arguing with the front  door guy saying his Laptop was in there, and he was the main band guy. Finally, the owner came out and let him in. Me and My friend laughed our asses off...

HAHAHA. That's what he gets for wearing a T-shirt and jeans, looking like a regular guy

We actually joked about it being because he's Black, Obviously not. He's not that Tall,  and looked younger than 21. I can't remember if this was a 21+ show or not. But the entrance to the building is where the bar is, so they have to check IDs.  When they have all ages, the underage entrance is in the back.

[Cool Chris]

One big reason that may sway my decision to attend a show (sorry if someone else mentioned it earlier) is the possibility that the artist may not hit my market again any time soon, or ever. It can be easy to think "if I don't make it to this show, I'll be sure to hit the next tour..." without thinking there may not be a next tour, or it may skip your market entirely, or the band my change members, or go in an artistic direction you do not care for.

[Ben_Jamin]

One big reason that may sway my decision to attend a show (sorry if someone else mentioned it earlier) is the possibility that the artist may not hit my market again any time soon, or ever. It can be easy to think "if I don't make it to this show, I'll be sure to hit the next tour..." without thinking there may not be a next tour, or it may skip your market entirely, or the band my change members, or go in an artistic direction you do not care for.

This is one of, if not the, reason I go to shows. I usually attend shows with bands whom I know I will never ever see again. I missed my one chance to see Blind Guardian here. Don't know why I didn't go, but I wish I had. Probably would've met Hansi after the show too. It's just around the corner where the band has their bus, and people always wait, especially if it's a band that is popular here. I've calmed down now on meeting the bands, that is taking pictures, and setlists. Now, I just tell them how the show was, and then spark some convo.

I am glad I went to Porcupine Tree, for this is what happened with them. My one and only chance, and I took it, even though I was tired as fuck, just came home from a roadtrip, and I was not going to miss Porcupine Tree. I left right after, couldn't stand up anymore for Coheed.

For how many times Buckethead has been here, I still have yet to see him, for some reason, He always plays when I can't attend the show.

Our market here for concerts is mainly Hip-Hop, Alternative Rock bands, Reggae. Country and Metal are about the same. The popular Metal Subgenres are Death/Black Metal, Radio Metal (Bands that are constantly played on the local radio), and Old School Metal bands. The thing is too, not many people are into going to shows much. Or rather, we all prefer going to The Sunshine Theater, and El Rey Theater, your middle-tier type GA shows, with balconies. We sell out those. Tech Nine loves it here, he's always playing shows. Although, Djent and those bands do bring in some decent sized crowds.

As I said, I am very fortunate to have seen bands I know I will never see again, play at The Launchpad.

It is an interesting to know how these bands can go from playing to a massive festival crowd, come to the states, and play a little shithole stage in the back of bar. That shows dedication to playing music. And I highly respect all the bands that have played this venue. Even if they had to deal with the sound guys bullshit at times. I have witnessed that at John 5, and it was hilarious.

[Lethean]

What are the reasons why you go see a live show?

There was a meme going around that said something like "you haven't really seen me happy unless you've seen me at a concert." An exaggeration with a lot of truth for me.  I love going to live shows.  I love the energy, I love just hearing the music live, I love watching the band play, especially ones as good as DT and Rush, I love feeling the emotions. 

And..What are the reasons (show related) that prevent you from seeing a favorite band live?

If it's a favorite band?  Probably nothing show related.  Maybe if I saw a favorite band and thought they completely sucked live.  But I'd probably still give them another few chances before giving up.  Otherwise, maybe if they were an almost favorite or former favorite… I might skip if I didn't like the setlist or didn't think they were playing long enough to be worth it.

What are some things Fans expect from a band, that will get them to go see them live when they come to their town, or get them to drive such a distance to see them play live?

Just to put on a good show.  I'm not too demanding.  Usually I want to feel like the band is enjoying themselves/not going through the motions, and that helps to make a show better.  But it depends - I can't say John Myung looks like he's enjoying himself, but I'm ok with that. I believe he likes what he does and the rest of the band looks happy to be there.  I feel like there's a connection between the band and crowd, but it's different depending on the band.  It could be just the positive energy of a band like Rush or DT or Threshold or it could be a more active experience like Voyager or it could be a more introspective one like Katatonia.  Enjoy what you're doing, don't be falling down drunk on stage, be rehearsed as a band so you can play well… That's about all I need.

And what about seeing them live again their next tour, what are the expectations then to get someone to see them live?

That I enjoyed it the first time. I'd love for a lot of variety in the setlist, but don't require it.  If a band was playing a set full of songs I don't really like, I might sit that tour out and catch them next time.  Otherwise, if I can be there, I will.

I really really really miss live shows and hope my favorite bands, who are mostly small and not from the US, will be able to tour here when things finally settle.  I have been enjoying some live streams; it's not at all the same, but they've been a lot of fun.

[Ben_Jamin]

I really really really miss live shows and hope my favorite bands, who are mostly small and not from the US, will be able to tour here when things finally settle.  I have been enjoying some live streams; it's not at all the same, but they've been a lot of fun.

Same here. I fear we are going to see not many Over Seas band not feeling its worth it, financially to tour the US.

[Lethean]

I really really really miss live shows and hope my favorite bands, who are mostly small and not from the US, will be able to tour here when things finally settle.  I have been enjoying some live streams; it's not at all the same, but they've been a lot of fun.

Same here. I fear we are going to see not many Over Seas band not feeling its worth it, financially to tour the US.

I have the same worry.  I was really looking forward to Leprous this year - they hadn't announced a tour yet but they'd been working on it.  Hopefully they'll eventually be able to come back.  They were touring the US pretty regularly but if the visa costs have gone up that much, it might be hard for them to make it work.

[Stadler]

Yea, I not only people watch, I chat a lot with strangers at concerts. I met a gay couple that were "furries" at the last Epica concert in NYC.  I don't know why they told me that, but it just shows that there's a diverse group of people at concerts and everyone (for the most part, there's always a few assholes) is friendly.

That's me.   Not the gay furry, but the guy that will talk to anyone.   I never used to be like that (I used to be so shy I would skip college classes if I got there and the room was already full) but somewhere around hitting 30, 35 or so things changed for me.  I think it was moving around so much.   In any event, I just start by asking questions.  "Where you from?"   "Seen them before?"   "Heard anything about this tour?"   

[Lethean]

Yea, I not only people watch, I chat a lot with strangers at concerts. I met a gay couple that were "furries" at the last Epica concert in NYC.  I don't know why they told me that, but it just shows that there's a diverse group of people at concerts and everyone (for the most part, there's always a few assholes) is friendly.

That's me.   Not the gay furry, but the guy that will talk to anyone.   I never used to be like that (I used to be so shy I would skip college classes if I got there and the room was already full) but somewhere around hitting 30, 35 or so things changed for me.  I think it was moving around so much.   In any event, I just start by asking questions.  "Where you from?"   "Seen them before?"   "Heard anything about this tour?"

I'm in between. My natural state is to not start up a conversation with someone I don't know, but like The Walrus mentioned, it is easier at shows.  At least there's some automatic common ground.  So now, sometimes I go to a show, talk to no one, enjoy it, and leave.  Other times I wind up talking to people, maybe in line, waiting for the show to start, or waiting around to meet the band afterwards.  It usually makes it that much more fun to share the experience a little bit.

[cramx3]

It's really easy to start a convo at a show.  I'm pretty shy myself and rarely ever strike up conversations with people in any other scenario, but at a show, it just feels natural sometimes.  Specifically, in between sets in the smoking section. I've so many times stepped outside alone and came back in for the next band with a bunch of strangers ready to rock out. 

Also, I love the ProgPower meet and greet lines.  Waiting in those lines, it's so easy to just chat with everyone in front/behind you.  The same way on waiting to get in, although I'm rarely the type to get there super early to wait on line, but the lines in general for concerts are a great spot to chat with people.

[Stadler]

I don't smoke cigarettes at all, and weed very rarely, but smoking is probably the best ice-breaker ever invented.   In Philly, you had to smoke outside at most bars, and I'd actually go out with the smokers and hang out.  You'd be amazed at how social it was (it wasn't unusual for people just walking on the sidewalk to just stop and chat and even have a smoke). 

I'm sure there are some warning signs there for addiction counselors, but in terms of social interaction, it's hard to beat.