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Little Venues v Arenas


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Old 19-11-2012, 20:12
dodger0703
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Been to a number of gigs at both, more recently at MEN arena a few times, but last 2 i have been to were at small venues and got to say i think i prefer that closeness and the banter with the crowd.

I can understand why bands play arenas but its a shame i never got to see these more famous bands at the beginning of their career.

Anyone else prefer the imtimacy of the smaller place?
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Old 19-11-2012, 20:33
CLL Dodge
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I used to love the Astoria in Charing Cross Road.

Westminster Council sacrificed it to Crossrail.
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Old 19-11-2012, 20:35
barrcode88
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Smaller venues and clubs, the acoustics in large venues indoor or outdoor can be difficult to get used to at times, and of course the intimacy and crowd banter.
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Old 19-11-2012, 20:36
dodger0703
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i have read about the astoria, many of the great bands have played there and gigs have gone down in history
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Old 19-11-2012, 20:47
dodger0703
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I saw Levellers on Saturday at Manchester Acdemy, and few weeks back saw Terrorvision at HMV Ritz, both were fantastic.

Will have to look for more gigs at these places
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Old 19-11-2012, 20:47
Finny Skeleta
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It goes like this:

Club-type venue > theatre-type venue > pub > small arena > big arena > purpose built outdoor venue > football stadium > cricket ground > field.

From big arena onwards is where gigs are generally going to be unpleasant.
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Old 19-11-2012, 20:53
MrMeatAndPotato
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Neither... i'd go for stadiums.


That's where you get the spectacle... and the bonus is it's impossible for the nobs to get out their camera phones when on the inner circle/ground.
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Old 19-11-2012, 20:55
dodger0703
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Neither... i'd go for stadiums.


That's where you get the spectacle... and the bonus is it's impossible for the nobs to get out their camera phones when on the inner circle/ground.
must admit that is a bugbear of mine, hope i have spoilt quite a view videos with my caterwauling
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Old 20-11-2012, 01:09
BertCleeverhook
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I prefer little venues in general but the majority of the concerts I've been to have been in small venues, the only one that wasn't (not including festivals) was at M.E.N., it was okay. The best venue I've been to was surprisingly Manchester Cathedral.
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Old 23-11-2012, 17:00
gertrude
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Definitely smaller venues for me - much more intimate
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Old 23-11-2012, 17:24
Harlotqueen
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Definitely prefer the small... Providing they are not rammed!

Muse at Exeter Lemon Grove comes to mind
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Old 23-11-2012, 17:40
Makson
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I'm so glad Lana Del Rey decided to hold her Irish gig at Vicar Street rather than the O2 arena. Smaller venues are always better. They feel like an exclusive, private gig too if it is a huge name playing.
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Old 24-11-2012, 13:55
iseloid
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Been to a number of gigs at both, more recently at MEN arena a few times, but last 2 i have been to were at small venues and got to say i think i prefer that closeness and the banter with the crowd.

I can understand why bands play arenas but its a shame i never got to see these more famous bands at the beginning of their career.

Anyone else prefer the imtimacy of the smaller place?
Yeah. They're better.
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Old 24-11-2012, 18:04
Andy_Goodchild
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Saw Mumford and Sons at the Ipswich Regent theatre last night and it blew me away! I've seen them in Hyde Park and also in a tent at Reading and the intimacy just blew me away.
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Old 24-11-2012, 18:08
mimicole
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I've seen bands at both arenas and smaller venues and smaller venues win hands down for me.
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Old 24-11-2012, 20:45
embryo
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For me, to a certain extent it depends on who I'm seeing. For artists like Rammstein or Lady Gaga (to pick two random examples), I wouldn't want to see them anywhere other than an arena, because the spectacle is a huge part of their live appeal. Otherwise, smaller venues are usually best, the atmosphere is better and more intimate and you usually get better sound. As others have said though, being in a tiny venue that is overcrowded is never much fun!
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Old 24-11-2012, 23:38
Smithy1204
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I love both for different reasons. Smaller venues for the above reasons - the atmosphere, more intimate, the sound, and it's often more 'personal'.

But my favourite arenas are the London O2 and Wembley Stadium which are obviously pretty big, but i love the atmosphere. I love this about big arenas because it's so beautiful, and it's awesome when bands do their best to see everyone (my favourite band loved to fly out over the audience, and it was always an amazing part of their shows).
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Old 25-11-2012, 01:53
Harper_Milne
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I can't stand arenas. I prefer to see the acts face when I see them
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