#18

A lot of times I’ll go to a gig and wonder why the hell I bother, but every now and then there’s something that’s absolutely sublime, that elevates me above the everyday and reminds me why I do it. So I guess I keep going back, and justify it by telling myself I need to go to the bad/average gigs in order for there to be a contrast with the good ones.

#19

Yeah kind of, don’t see the point most of the time. Been to countless small local gigs and I can’t remember a significant thing about any of them. Most of the best live music experiences I’ve had have been seeing big acts so these days I’d rather save up for a gig which is 10x the price.

#20

Gigs without dancing and loads of people just standing are awful.

Gigs with dancing and a bit of moshing are amazing.

So I try to go to gigs that will include the latter.

#21

i got over that years ago when i wouldn’t see bands that i’d want to see because i had no-one to go with. when you’re watching the band i don’t really care if anyone’s there that i know. its just in-between bands that are a drag.

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#22

Opposite. I got out of the habit of going to gigs, so just started again basically. I don’t go to a huge amount now, maybe 8 in the last couple of years? I love it. Perhaps helps I am quite picky and only really go and see stuff I love. Been to Nothing, Purity Ring, Grimes and I saw Leftfield last week.

When I saw Leftfield I got quite emotional, as it’s an LP I’ve known for 22 years, but never heard performed. Quite often happens. I don’t know why…i think it’s because I am so familiar with the record that seeing and being in the moment when they are live makes me feel something. Dunno. Sounds stupid probably. :confused:

#24

Thought adulthood would just be going to loads of gigs, but I probably went to 500% more gigs from 15-20 as I have from 21-26.

Few factors probably but it doesn’t half make me feel old and jaded at an age where I really shouldn’t.

Insane inflation of price, and having seen 90% of the bands im bothered about - often several times - means that very little feels must-see, or even justifies the faff and price.

The depressing thing is that it reflects on my broader tastes and conservatism - I can count on my fingers the amount of emerging bands and artists from the last five years I’d be enthusiastic enough to go see live, even less so ones that feel absolutely vital and important

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#25

I probably go to a gig every couple of gigs, weirdly don’t enjoy them that much, just go out of a sense of obligation, I like music, a band I like is playing, therefore I must go and see them. but it kind of works out though, occasionally one will be great and its hard to predict, so just going to loads takes the decision process out of it. I just see it as having nothing to lose, id just be at home rewatching the same old programmes on e4 if I weren’t at a gig, and gigs have the potential to be amazing even if they rarely are

#26

Love going to gigs

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#27

Gigs are fun, I love gigs. I know basically all my friends from gigs.

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#28

Indeed.

For some bands the need to experience them live far outweighs the Billynomatedness of going solo. This week offers up a great example.

And the older we get, the less interested my mates are. Or they don’t like me now, of course.

#29

Agreed. Those inbetween moments are a bit rubbish, but you’re never alone with a phone.

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#30

Only interested in going to gigs to see bands that are guaranteed to blow the fucking roof off like those all times lads, The Ka$abians. Cheers.

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#31

This is true. It’s like going to football in many respects.

#32

as the years have passed i’ve become less and less enthusiastic about the whole hassle of actually getting to the gig, making 150 (or 300 in dublin’s case) mile round trips, booking overnight accommodation/worrying about missing the last bus home, taking time off work, spending a fair bit of cash dollars on tickets/transport/tennents and etc, just to stand alone in a venue for two hours and feel slightly unfulfilled :upside_down:

#33

95% of the time I go on my own. In fact the only time I have been with someone recently was taking my dad to see Purity Ring in Sheffield. He’s been pretty lonely since my mum died and loved it.

3 Likes
#34

I used to go to gigs all the time but have relegated it to a ‘festival’ only kind of thing. I’ll watch A LOT of bands at a music festival and that would be my fill for the year with few exeptions. I just can’t be arsed waiting between sets, hoping for a good spot, etc etc etc. When everything works out then great times are had but a lot of the time I’m stood there frustrated in an uncomfortable spot clock watching (even if I’m enjoying the gig) don’t get that with festivals as I’m fully immersed and in a mindset that allows me to ignore annoyances. It’s actually made me enjoy festivals a lot more.

#35

i’m surprised how shit and underwhelming all the gigs everyone on here is going to…maybe you should see some better bands!

most shows i see are solid 7/10’s or above, with the occasion thing dropping below that

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#36

I wish I had the kind of clairvoyance you have to be able to predict which bands I’ll enjoy enough live that it’s worth the trip without seeing them prior but apparently I do not so I’ll still not go to live shows as much despite listening to plenty of bands that many people would probably consider at least a 7/10 live so I cant really rely on live reviews either.

Fuck man I’ve even been to enough gigs from bands that have been shit hot one night and kind of lackluster the next to not even reliably judge my own instinct, Deerhoof were fucking amazing the first time I saw them, but then I saw them again in a different venue and its was kind of dull because the mix was muddy despite the sound at the venue they played, The Haunt, usually being pretty decent so I guess I cant peg it to the venue either. But thanks for telling me to like better bands I even saw Princess Chelsea twice on the same day, one of the shows were one of my favs from Great Escape that year, the same show later that day easily one of the worst gigs I’ve attended ever.

#37

If anything, I wish I liked gigs less, big drain on my finances paying to see all these bands.

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#38

what i said was a bit tongue in cheek, it wasn’t a dig!

of course i expect that anyone can be disappointed with shows, and i’ve certainly had that happen to me a fair share, it just hasn’t tarnished my desire to go and see bands live and i still feel it’s rewarding