She's on Fire

Speaking of San Fran, we went to see that city's Train in concert last night. It was a great show. The venue was small, I liked the opening act (Brandi Carlile), and the band did all of my favorites.

The music I loved, the whole concert experience I am growing less and less fond of.

This has been building for some time and came to somewhat of a head in August. We went to see Dave Matthews at an outdoor ampitheater. After the show it took two hours to exit the parking lot. We were only moving for about 15 minutes of that span. We are never going back to that venue or any other like it.

Last night was our first concert since Dave. The small venue was better, but I still have issues.

1. Why does it take so long between acts? Hasn't technology advanced us beyond the manual set up and take down? I suggest a rotating platform. Set up/take down can happen behind curtain while someone is performing.

2. I do not want to hear audience members sing. I paid to hear how the singer styles the song when not in a recording studio, not to listen to fellow concert-goers scream every other lyric.

3. Encores should be for exceptional performances ONLY. When did it become required for audience members to stomp and clap to bring bands back on stage in order to hear the most popular song/current radio hit? I have the same feelings concerning standing ovations. Every performance gets one, whether it's Boston Symphony Orchestra or Beginners Singing Organization. There is no way every show is superlative. I think someone else wrote about this at a magazine where I once worked.

I've said my piece and counted to three.