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Criminally loud concerts

#122
Worldeeeter said:
News flash: concerts are loud. This is a new thing, since about 1961. The philosophy here is CAVEAT EMPTOR. Don't buy tickets to a concert if you don't like loud music.
It is NOT OK to expect a band or venue to "turn down" because it's too loud for you. It is up to the listener to determine what is needed at the show, i.e. - earplugs. I wear them at all shows, big and small, whether I'm playing or listening.
It's really sad that the idea of filing lawsuits against venues for loud music is even mentioned. This is where our society is now. Everyone thinks they are special, and everything should be adjusted to their desires. The moment someone doesn't like something, they call a lawyer.

My recommendation is that, in lieu of live music shows, you should check out some Carpenters albums at your local record store. You can play them at home, at your desired volume, and no lawsuits will be necessary.
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So you don't see a problem when bands are playing at levels they know will damage hearing, especially where they are selling tickets to young people?
 
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#125
OK...since nobody's mentioned it yet... But why are we even still having this discussion in the year 2017? 30-40 years ago, FOH technology was still pretty crude. Big boxes in a big pile, turned up really loud. Stupid-loud if you were right in front of the afore-mentioned big stack o' boxes. Today? Powered boxes, blanket coverage, even SPL across the venue (supposedly...), computer tuned/aligned/DSP aligned....you get the idea. Unless you're in a crappy venue with a 1970's era system, I mean, why? Really. New tech is outstanding and available to the masses.
 
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#126
Blue Oyster Cult in 1980, sitting about a third of the way from the stage. My ears rang for three days. This concert was also memorable because, in addition the hearing damage, it blinded me temporarily. At one point in the show, the band had all the lights killed. The arena was pitch black, and just when your pupils dilated to accommodate for the dark, they flashed the brightest strobe I'd ever seen. I was literally blind for about 60 seconds and it was no fun.

To the OP's original point, however, I agree that excessive volume is a big problem at a lot of shows I attend. I'm never quite sure if that's just because I'm in my late 50s, or if the youngsters feel the same way.

You can cover up a lot of mistakes at a louder volume.
 
#128
Stinsok said:
Robin Trower in a medium sized club. We shoved cigarette filters in our ears. He overpowered the PA and the rest of the band might as well had not shown up.
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In the late 70's, Trower was known for being loud, his amps and the PA. Guitarist I know walked into an arena to see him, and stayed right at the back. He said he had no desire to get closer, it was so loud. I saw him in a few clubs over the past years. He still pushes his amps a bit, and if I stood in front of him, he did overwhelm the PA. If I walked back, it was fine. Not the first band I have had that experience with in a club.

The last Rush tour I saw them in Austin and Atlanta, 7th row Austin 19th in Atlanta. I was a little pissed because the subwoofers were way too loud. Really screwed with the sound. Also happened with Journey/Doobies/Dave Mason. I was sitting right next to the sound guys and wanted to know why they could not hear the horrible mix.
 
#129
There is so much more knowledge now about hearing loss. When I was a kid going to all those shows it never occurred to me. We would laugh it off "Dude that was SO loud, I can't hear you now!" Of course there had to have been damage done.

It's funny, when I try to think of the loudest concert I have ever personally been too two stick out.

Journey in 1977 or '78. I think this might be the loudest. I distinctly recall ringing in my ears. It was at the old Cow Palace. Killer venue, horrid sound. Years later at Day on the Green they were nowhere near as loud.

Garth Brooks in the 90's some time. His show was nutty loud. The pyro sent it over the top. I remember it being louder than the cannons from AC/DC.
 
#130
Circa 1978 I saw back to back at Druid Hills High School Gym the Maynard Ferguson Big Band followed the next evening by the Count Basie Orchestra.

This was when MF brought his wall of amps. It was so loud I left after 1st tune--it was painful.

The next night--Count Basie's sound equipment didn't show up. Basie rolled-up a sheet of music and shouted his announcements to the audience. Freddie Green could still be heard chunking chords with no amp and the soloist stepped to the free throw circle. I remember it like yesterday. Awesome band.

Today--I am playing loud and in your face after years of playing acoustic jazz. Go figure. Probably dementia.
 
#131
Manowar, officially the loudest band ion the world.

Loudest band I ever saw...Jackyl...I lost hearing for sure after that one, ringing for 2 weeks, muffled tones for 2 weeks after, marked hearing loss. Earplugs ever since, whether I am playing or watching someone else.
 
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#132
Spectrum said:
LOL Toto? Really? I remember them as an 80s pop band on MTV. Never imagined they'd make the loud list but then again I don't know what they were like live or in their earlier days.

I saw the Who once in the late 80s from the front row at Veteran's Stadium in Philadelphia. Pete was right in front of me and there were gi-hugic speakers right next to my face. My ears still hurt almost 30 years later from that.
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Lukather is known to be a blaster. I remember being in the Baked Potato in the afternoon prior to one of his shows. The BP is tiny tiny. I think it might hold 80 people. Luke's rig covered an entire freakin' wall. I couldn't imagine how insanely loud it would be. I cannot fathom how Larry Carlton manages to play dates with that guy.
 
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#133
Criminally loud an awful is doubly painful... I saw PTV and some other nameless sad sack Post-hardcore band. So loud and awful. Not sure if my hearing loss was from the DB's or from the lack of vocal talent. I am sure the loud DB's was used to disguise the lack of singer talent. Ohhh--Sleepin with Sirens.....that guy couldn't sing his abc's convincingly.
 
#134
ptg said:
I was waiting to see if anyone mentioned Tuna! Saw them many many times in my youth and although the shows were fun it got to the point where it was painful. One show in particular at the Commack Arena in Long Island (where they played many times) was just way over the top.

Counter that with when we saw Rush during the Signals tour...Large arena and you could hear every note and speak to the person next to you at normal speaking volume without having to shout...Wonderful.
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R40 was crazy loud, vocals only moderately intelligible. No chance whatsoever of talking the person next to you. Of course the venue (Mode Centre) blows chunks and that's not Rush's fault.
 
#135
RichardW said:
Blue Oyster Cult in 1980, sitting about a third of the way from the stage. My ears rang for three days. This concert was also memorable because, in addition the hearing damage, it blinded me temporarily. At one point in the show, the band had all the lights killed. The arena was pitch black, and just when your pupils dilated to accommodate for the dark, they flashed the brightest strobe I'd ever seen. I was literally blind for about 60 seconds and it was no fun.

To the OP's original point, however, I agree that excessive volume is a big problem at a lot of shows I attend. I'm never quite sure if that's just because I'm in my late 50s, or if the youngsters feel the same way.

You can cover up a lot of mistakes at a louder volume.
Click to expand...
I saw BOC as the middle band (sandwiched between Montrose and ELO) at the Hollywood Palladium. GF insisted on standing right next to the left PA column. Yup, crazy loud. Great show though.

FWIW, more than half the shows I attend could be louder. Especially outdoor shows. I won't attend shows at the Oregon Zoo because the sound system is so underpowered, and people jabber incessantly all around you. I suspect that (underpowered sound system) has to do with noise abatement regs. There are homes in the neighborhood. The incessant jabbering is just rudeness.
 
#136
AC/DC, Hells Bells tour.
I lived in a mid sized town at the time. This city was somewhat isolated from other cities and as such, it was used by many as a test market for many things, including bands.
So, the first stop on the North American tour was my small town. Arena could hold a max of 6K people, AC/DC had their full stadium systems up and running. I believe to this day, that we were simply guinea pigs for the band to ensure that everything worked, before they hit the stadiums.
I was in the first five rows from the stage. It was so loud, you could not make out what songs they were playing! I stuffed some tissues in my ears and it was the first time I was actually able to hear what Brian Johnston was saying between songs. They must have thought we were all mouth breathers because he would say something to the crowd and there would be no response. We couldn't hear them!
Fishheadjoe
 
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