“A concert is not a live rendition of our album. It’s a theatrical
event!”
Freddie Mercury
(http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/f/freddie_mercury.html)
Are
you in or out?
I thought that this was a
great title for this piece of writing regarding which venues, settings and
styles of events that I prefer to attend. I believe in the gift of music
whether it is performing, listening, producing it or simply being able to evoke
feelings from the words and beat.
Each year I tend to give
my credit card a “thrashing” on purchasing tickets to see and experience many
artists in their element. I must admit that music and travel are my drugs off
choice – expensive drugs but the high it delivers is one hard to beat. I strongly
believe that I share this addiction with many more people in the world.
I can still remember my
first concert when I was 5 years old – John Farnham; it was the highlife of
1988 for me. In a sentimental way I can still hear my parents shouting out the
words to “The Voice” along with 1000’s of other parents at the concert. Since
then I have always have had a love for music, productions and events; even
attending the odd musical now and then.
“Play it fuckin loud!”
Bob Dylan
(http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/bob_dylan.html)
When it comes to music
events I must put my hand on my heart and confess that I am a true fan of the
“Outdoor” venues/settings. I appreciate that for the event to work and run
smoothly the band/festival group must have a dedicated organisation team,
management and location planned out according to the events potential that is
taking place.
When I look at the
famous, historic, mainstream, sell out festivals held in Australia it is
obvious that the Outdoor setting is quiet loved by so many Australians like
myself. Amazing festivals such as The Apollo Bay Music Festival, Big Day Out,
Earthcore (Known as the Australia’s biggest outdoor rave), Falls Festival,
Pyramid Rock Festival, St Kilda Festival and Summa Dayze are some to name but
the list continues.
When I compare the music
events that I have attended in the past it is without a doubt that the
“Outdoor” events come first to mind. The atmosphere, the interaction with other
music lovers, the sights, the wondering around the compound and being able to
have small chit chat to in depth heartfelt conversations with random strangers truly
make the experience a different one to that of an indoor event.
My most recent outdoor adventure was
witnessing Bruce Springsteen light up the stage at Hanging Rock with the help
of such Australian bands as The Rubens and Jimmy Barnes. I had the
pleasure of seeing Bruce and the E Street Band playing at Rod Laver 5 days
earlier. I expressed to all that would or wouldn't listen to me
"Its the best concert I have been too". That was until I experienced
Hanging Rock, what an amazing venue, we should embrace "The Rock" as
a region, state and nation. It was undoubtedly the most entertaining,
interactive, crowd-pleasing show I have ever been a part off.
“Bluegrass has brought more people together and
made more friends than any music in the world. You meet people at festival and
renew acquaintances year after year”
Bill Monroe
I wanted to have a closer
look into what settings people preferred for their “drug” and see what elements
that mostly stood out to them. I decided to turn to Facebook to ask the
question and the views; comments and arguments were as mixed as an Above &
Beyond track.
My status post was simple
and direct:
“Question peeps – Outdoor
Event/Concert vs Indoor Event/Concert and Why??”
I have attended many musical
events with the people that took the time to answer and I was surprised by the
fact off how wrong I was according to some off my friend’s preference. The ones
I thought preferred “Indoor” were actually proposing that “Outdoor” was better.
It was a chance for me to step into their musical nirvana, listen to their
notes and sway to their beats. It was a way to share a mutual love.
That’s when I decided to
look deeper into other people’s views. Hitting forums, blogs and articles that
voiced some great evidence regarding what makes a great music event, what
people consider important in making their choice and quotes that stood out to
many.
“Music is the strongest form of magic”
Marilyn Manson
Looking through forums
such as The Escapist which posted an off topic question asking people “What do
you prefer: Indoor or Outdoors Concerts?” I could see that not all music lovers
shared my view on what I think creates great entertainment but yet we all
agreed on a major factor quoted by Plato, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the
mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/plato.html)
Majority of the people
voting Indoor posted comments basing their preference for indoor on factors
such as the weather, acoustic sound quality, allocates seating and the position
of the venue itself.
Indoor or Outdoor Concerts?
|
Indoor
|
47.1%(16)
|
|
|
Outdoor
|
|
23.5% (8)
|
|
Whatever
|
|
26.5% (9)
|
Toluna.com also offered
bloggers a chance to give an opinion on “What is better, outdoor concerts or
indoor” and though there was only 9 comments and opinions posted 3/9 preferred
indoor based concerts.
Its quotes, images and
stories that you hear regarding festivals such a Coachella that make people
travel the world to experience, be exposed and understand music and its art
form year in and year out.
“If we're lucky something will happen. Some adversity
will happen and something unexpected will happen and you'll get tired and
you'll get hungry, you'll have trouble going to the bathroom, and you'll lose
your car keys, and all these wonderful things will add up to some powerful
experience that 10 years from now we'll say "We lived, we lived."
Wayne Coyne on Coachella
(http://www.coachella.com/forum/showthread.php?38418-Memorable-Coachella-Fan-Quotes-One-in-particular)
To end this piece, insight, collection of data,
resurfacing memories and opinion I must point out why I am an “Outdoor” music
event fan:
· You get to meet and socailise with more than the person sitting next to
you.
· You are free to move around, get a different view and people watch.
· You are free to move around, dance, jump, and scream in a space that
isn’t confined to a seat.
· There are usually more than the 1 band playing.
· You get to experience hours of entertainment besides the band – rides,
food stalls, seating areas, beer gardens.
To quote the Oxford dictionary OPINION - Noun: A view or judgment formed about something, not
necessarily based on fact or knowledge: that, in my opinion.
Hope there is no confusion or social media wars started by this blog
entry, as I know music is a personal element in each one’s life.
“Music touches us emotionally, where words alone
can't.”
Johnny Deep
