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LOUSY SOUND AT LIVE CONCERTS

I went to a concert at Bank America Pavillion in Boston last night. I saw Tedeschi and Trucks, and The Black Crows. A terrific concert; The Tedeschi and Trucks Band was especially terrific.

Unfortunately, these bands sound better in my living room than at this beautiful, outdoor venue.

Many venues have extremely poor acoustics and/or poor sound systems. The music is often terribly distorted, details and nuances of the instrumentals and voices are lost. The sound presents as a congealed distorted mess. The art of these incredibly talented musicians cannot be fully appreciated without clear sound. Listening to music in these crappy venues is like looking at masterpiece paintings in dimly lit museums with dirty glasses. The colors, details and brush strokes are indistinct. The artistic genius cannot be fully appreciated. The Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA., Fenway Park and The Boston Garden are just as bad as The Bank Of America Pavillion, if not worse.

I am frustrated with these venues that cannot provide great sound to accompany the great music. What is the sense of attending live concerts if the sound quality sucks. Does anyone else share my frustration?
matjet
frogman
7,475 posts
 
I'd like to offer a different perspective; with the understanding that there are exceptions to every rule.

If we put aside audiophile expectations (no way even the best arena sound systems can have the purity and coherence of top audiophile gear) and barring truly horrendous sound, there is much to enjoy in live performances with less than great sound IF THE BAND IS UP TO IT. In other words, the more happening the MUSIC is, the less important the quality of the sound becomes. Consistently good live performances is what separates the great acts from the impostors who rely on recording studio band-aids and multiple takes to sound good. After all, what is the point in attending a live concert when one hears a rendition that is exactly (performance-wise) exactly as on the record; but with inferior sound and instrumental solos almost note for note as on the record?
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
I give great credit to the sound people. Some venues they just can't overcome. Others, they can strut their stuff. It's not like being at home with the full frequency and accuracy of your system, but in the right space they can get close. I recently saw Dave Matthews outdoors. I was expecting the worst. Grace Potter opened. Great sound. Full bass. Articulate highs without pain. Great acoustic guitar sounds and voice. A pleasant surprise. It can be done. Then, there was Alison Krauss. Hockey arena. Horrible. I'll never go there again. Great performances deserve great sound. She deserved better.
frogman
7,475 posts
 
http://s305.photobucket.com/user/ivorycj/media/Far%20Side/suck_button.jpg.html#/user/ivorycj/media/Far%20Side/suck_button.jpg.html?&_suid=1376318739562039579460217564954
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
There can be amazing crystal clear sound. For one, Coldplay has the best rig in the business.

The problem is that many bands rely on local production houses to provide sound and staging, so it can vary greatly by city.
wildoats
339 posts
 
I think it really depends on the venue. I recently went to the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth (outside) and thought the sound was fine. Especially if you sat more towards the middle. The acoustic tent was very good too. Richard Thompson outside at the MN zoo in June was really good too. Hopefully some aren't complaining because they can actually hear the dynamics in the music at many live shows? Unlike compressed loud cd's with little or no dynamics.
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