One of the worst concert experiences I had was seeing a pop show and an acoustic-specific venue. The show was Flaming Lips opening for Beck. I went to see Beck, because I'd seen him previously outdoors and loved his charismatic performance (I enjoy his music). Didn't know the Flaming Lips and they're definitely not my style. The venue was Benaroya Hall, which is the Seattle Symphony's relatively new concert hall known for its outstanding acoustics for unamplified music. Well, these guys came with amplification up the wazoo. I seldom walk out on concerts or films, but this was one of those rare exceptions. The music was so loud it hurt. I went back in when Beck came out doing mostly solo acoustic guitar stuff, but he used the same amplification and I couldn't even make out the lyrics he was singing. I walked out again. Truly awful! I cannot imagine enjoyment with or without earplugs. I think the hall sounded horrible with amplification - I see the symphony there and indeed it is otherwise a wonderful acoustic space. I totally gave up on big ticket concerts since then. A few other bad experiences, both indoor and out. I see no reason to drop any money at all, much less what they're asking to see shows like this, on a presentation that I'd otherwise get far more enjoyment from listening to the same artist's CD on my system. I agree that risking your hearing on 100+db sustained anything is just plain stupid. I don't know how renewable your hearing is once damaged this way...it may come back, but I wonder if it is really the same. Regardless, it's not worth it to me. I really enjoy my five senses and would prefer to keep doing so as long as I'm around. I currently suffer from mild tinnitus, which I speculate may be from too many years of riding motorcycles without ear plugs (I always wear earplugs when I ride now).
