Bands you love but you're comfortable not seeing live again

[Jorge]

I think living where I do in Buenos Aires helps. Bunch of music venues within a short driving distance, very active local music scene. It sounds like we're mostly talking about big arena/stadium shows and those can definitely be annoying but depending on the act it's still worth it to me. But I only go to a few of those a year.

And then there's festivals... which I guess I'm also alone in still enjoying?

[tragabigzanda]

Top 10 maybe?
Hello Morning
Close Captioned
The Kill
Place/Position
Do You Like Me?
Latest Disgrace
Recap Modotti
Nightshop
Break
Life & Limb

I'd maybe bump Life & Limb for Epic Problem

[VinylGuy]

I guess I’d like to see Haim sometime, I’ll add them to the maybe list

they were great in 2022 when i saw them and i would like to see them again yes.

[tragabigzanda]

[BurtReynolds]

I still like to go to small venues, but it seems like every band I want to see plays at The Mohawk downtown and that place sucks. I don't think I've ever enjoyed that place.

[liebzz]

I go to the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY for more than half of my shows. 1,800 capacity, in and out of there in 15 mins, and great sound with a sloped floor so you can see despite the tall people. That has probably extended the life of my concert going days the last 8 years.

[warehouse]

Team Doug and LV. I love listening to live music but very little else about the concert experience -- from the ticket expense to the time commitment to the crowds -- really appeals to me at this point in my life. Like Doug, if something cool and low-key shows up in my backyard, then cool, but most of the time I'd rather just hang out with my family.

My last show was one of the Nick Cave Q&A shows, I think that was in 2019. Pretty much just didn't get back into the swing after COVID.

covid had the opposite effect on me. i traveled to NYC for a night to see a show b/c it had been over two years since i saw one. i'm not sure i'll ever be "over" going to concerts.

[Kevin Davis]

I think living where I do in Buenos Aires helps. Bunch of music venues within a short driving distance, very active local music scene. It sounds like we're mostly talking about big arena/stadium shows and those can definitely be annoying but depending on the act it's still worth it to me. But I only go to a few of those a year.

And then there's festivals... which I guess I'm also alone in still enjoying?

Yeah, living in a place where most desirable shows are 2-3 hours away does play a role. When I was younger I would think nothing of driving to Chicago or St. Louis to see a band I was barely interested in, just because it was something to do, an opportunity to connect with friends, get out of town, experience the music, etc. That's harder to fit into my life now.

But I've been dealing with some mental health/anxiety issues in the past few years that have probably impacted it more than anything. I think I mentioned in some other threads (relative to compression and loudness, but relevant here too) that I've noticed myself increasingly sensitive to stimuli as I get older -- loud noise, bright lights, general commotion, etc. It just exhausts me mentally. It kind of always has, but I was more resilient when I was in my 20's, and less secure about being honest about it (COVID kind of reset my bar for a lot of that stuff). Big crowds, especially where people are drinking and using drugs, also feel volatile and unpredictable to me in a way that they didn't used to. So even when I love the music, I'm always kind of on edge in a way that's not really pleasant for me, and probably not for anyone I'm with.

Don't get me wrong -- I still love the music part of it. If there was good live jazz playing every night at the cafe up the street, I'd go all the time. But all of the above, coupled with the expense, and the demands the travel and time commitments place on my family, have it being something I'm not really seeking out at the moment. Maybe things will change someday.

[daft twat]

This thread bums me out.

I still enjoy collecting experiences and memories.

Just had a great time in Vancouver at PJ with my son and more recently at Janet Jackson with my wife. Seeing Limp Bizkit with a college friend and REO Speedwagon and Yacht Rock Revue with my colleague and our wives next month. Metallica x 2 with my son in August. Iron Maiden with him and the only person from high school I’m still in contact with in October.

I don’t need to see any artist anymore, and I skip a lot because of cost now, but going to shows is one of the only things I’ll go out for.

[96583UP]

i will only do the schlep for bands i have a deep connection with, and that list is growing thin

i loved the last PJ show i went to but am concerned the upcoming one may send me into a bad space

[Jorge]

I think living where I do in Buenos Aires helps. Bunch of music venues within a short driving distance, very active local music scene. It sounds like we're mostly talking about big arena/stadium shows and those can definitely be annoying but depending on the act it's still worth it to me. But I only go to a few of those a year.

And then there's festivals... which I guess I'm also alone in still enjoying?

Yeah, living in a place where most desirable shows are 2-3 hours away does play a role. When I was younger I would think nothing of driving to Chicago or St. Louis to see a band I was barely interested in, just because it was something to do, an opportunity to connect with friends, get out of town, experience the music, etc. That's harder to fit into my life now.

But I've been dealing with some mental health/anxiety issues in the past few years that have probably impacted it more than anything. I think I mentioned in some other threads (relative to compression and loudness, but relevant here too) that I've noticed myself increasingly sensitive to stimuli as I get older -- loud noise, bright lights, general commotion, etc. It just exhausts me mentally. It kind of always has, but I was more resilient when I was in my 20's, and less secure about being honest about it (COVID kind of reset my bar for a lot of that stuff). Big crowds, especially where people are drinking and using drugs, also feel volatile and unpredictable to me in a way that they didn't used to. So even when I love the music, I'm always kind of on edge in a way that's not really pleasant for me, and probably not for anyone I'm with.

Don't get me wrong -- I still love the music part of it. If there was good live jazz playing every night at the cafe up the street, I'd go all the time. But all of the above, coupled with the expense, and the demands the travel and time commitments place on my family at the moment, have it being something I'm not really seeking out at the moment. Maybe things will change someday.

I hear you. That all makes sense to me. Also, I have no kids so I'm sure a family would drastically alter things in terms of time management, expenses, priorities, and overall headspace.

[96583UP]

when should we expect a baby Jorge? the world needs more Jorges

[Jorge]

Late December

[daft twat]

I’ll also add my misophonia is so bad now that concerts are among the only things I can go to and endure. The cinema is basically impossible. Mexican restaurants are like Guantanamo.

[96583UP]

Late December

[Jorge]

I’ll also add my misophonia is so bad now that concerts are among the only things I can go to and endure. The cinema is basically impossible. Mexican restaurants are like Guantanamo.

The sound of people eating freaks you out?

[doug rr]

Late December

back in "63...oh what a night

[96583UP]

I’ll also add my misophonia is so bad now that concerts are among the only things I can go to and endure. The cinema is basically impossible. Mexican restaurants are like Guantanamo.

The sound of people eating freaks you out?

[daft twat]

I’ll also add my misophonia is so bad now that concerts are among the only things I can go to and endure. The cinema is basically impossible. Mexican restaurants are like Guantanamo.

The sound of people eating freaks you out?

I wouldn’t say freaks me out. It makes me uncomfortable and angry. Pretty much any people noise. Chewing, sucking noses, heavy breathing, you name it, I got it.

[epilogue]

why ?

Because for a long time I've said how little live music means to me anymore and I've gotten tremendous pushback from users here about that. But low and behold now all these years later all y'all agree!