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Your Preference - Arena or Theatre?


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Old 09-03-2008, 14:29
gertrude
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I personally prefer a more intimate Theatre or small venues, unless it's a full on Show or a Band. Looking at a small dot in the distance is not my idea of a great gig
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Old 09-03-2008, 16:49
stupidflounders
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I won't go to concerts in arenas. I love smaller venues. I think artists who do shows in massive arenas are just greedy.
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Old 09-03-2008, 16:51
quackaquacka
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I love the atmosphere of a theatre.
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Old 09-03-2008, 17:14
wemster
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Definately a theatre for me - my local arena is in Nottingham and the atmosphere in there is dreadful 'cos it's just too big!
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Old 09-03-2008, 17:19
Keels
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Theatres for me too - just much more intimate and less stressful than arenas
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Old 09-03-2008, 17:22
TommyGavin76
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Definitely smaller venues. Saw The Killers at Wolves Civic and then at the NEC when I was right at the back, just doesn't compare.
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Old 09-03-2008, 18:23
troublepet
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Arena - i love a big show
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Old 09-03-2008, 18:31
Carmen Queasy
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Small venues, definitely. You can see the act properly and it's more interactive. When I seen Skin, for example, I held her up whilst she kneeled into the crowd to sing
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Old 09-03-2008, 18:54
The Unknown One
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Surely it depends on the size of the arena? For example people who have seen concerts at the new Liverpool Echo Arena (capacity up to 10,600), have stated they prefer it to the larger MEN Arena (capacity up to 21,000), as it feels more intimate which is a factor some people on this thread have mentioned.
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Old 09-03-2008, 19:08
Helbrown
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Theatres or small arenas (e.g. Bournemouth, Brighton or NIA Academy) for me.
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Old 09-03-2008, 19:24
Singy Thingy
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...depends on weather I'm the entertainer or the entertainee
I usually like theatres best , though
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Old 09-03-2008, 20:19
Midiboy
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Definitely theatre for me. I saw the same gig in the Brighton Centre and again at Wembley Arena and I can honestly say I'll never do Wembley arena again and certainly never a stadium.
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Old 10-03-2008, 03:12
tortfeasor
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Definitely theatre for me. I saw the same gig in the Brighton Centre and again at Wembley Arena and I can honestly say I'll never do Wembley arena again and certainly never a stadium.

Well said! I've never enjoyed Wembley Arena - Earl's Court has been a lot better but again, if you're high up it's not good at all. As for the stadiums...

I saw George Michael at the new Wembley and can honestly say, compared to his show at Earl's court, it had no atmosphere whatsoever. The new Wembley is way too big for concerts - I can see why America gave up with stadiums! I'm not sure whether they've rectified this now but Wembley stadium had ONE big screen in the entire venue last year. Pretty poor - most venues have at least three! Unless you're sat right at the front, you're not gonna get a good show. Football matches are fine there though.

Cardiff Millennium Stadium - I managed to get me and my Mum third row tickets to see The Police (great idea for a birthday gift or what?) and we had an excellent night. There was a real buzz, the show was great, we were really close to the band, the sound was spot on. However, I saw Bon Jovi in the stadium a few years previously and I was up in the Gods - couldn't see them properly and it was a bit lonely.

The O2 Arena is pretty good though - go for the middle tier. I saw Prince last year and was sat in the middle tier - you're not too low down that you're having to look up at the stage and yet you're not too high up - you can see the artists clearly and the sound is perfect! The higher tier - too far out apparently!
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Old 10-03-2008, 07:46
Scots_Dragon
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It would have to depend on the band, in my case. I don't think the likes of Rammstein would be good in a small venue, as they have a reputation for big effects and showmanship. They certainly wouldn't be able to use their flame guitars or keyboard player in a burning cauldron.

That said it is only the last year, that I have been going to concerts in smaller venues. Turisas were so good at the Cathouse in Glasgow, but I think they wouldn't be so good at the SECC Hall 4 (10,000).
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Old 10-03-2008, 14:15
ShiftyDundee
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Give me a dark, dingy venue with a bit of atmosphere over a hulking great stadium/arena any day.
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Old 10-03-2008, 14:22
sesamekitten
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Definitely a small intimate venue, preferably a club or a pub with loads of atmosphere.
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Old 10-03-2008, 15:48
hitnmix
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Theatre and small Arena for me as the atmosphere feels more better.
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Old 10-03-2008, 16:13
DNR
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It depends on the artist/genre.

I saw Metallica @ Wembley & the Dresden Dolls' singer in a tiny place in Shepards Bush.

Swap the venues over and they wouldn't have been as good.
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Old 11-03-2008, 06:50
Northern_Light
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Theatres, every time. Arena's are so soulless. I love the atmosphere and intimacy of a theatre.
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Old 11-03-2008, 17:23
PhilH36
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I've seen the same show in an arena and a theatre and the majority of the time the theatre shows are much better.
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Old 11-03-2008, 18:14
TommyGavin76
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This year I'm seeing Elton John at Caesars Palace (capacity 3000) and at the NIA (capacity about 14,000), will let you know which is better.
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Old 11-03-2008, 19:32
Airam
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Theatre

I hate arenas. If I wanted to watch someone on a screen, I'd wait for the DVD.
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Old 11-03-2008, 19:46
Reaperville
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For the most part I'd have to say theatres. I don't mind arenas/stadiums, but so few bands have the money, imagination or presence to make it worthwhile.

All but one of my favourite gigs have been in theatres, the one exception being U2s Zooropa show in Leeds in '93...something which absolutely would not have worked in a small venue.

Case in point - I've seen REM outdoors and they were average, but indoors they were blinding. Chose to pay silly money to see them at the Albert Hall later this month (which is more like a theatre than an arena) rather than see them at the big venues this summer.
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Old 12-03-2008, 08:10
samcheese
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Academys and Apollos!
Small gigs are the best.
Although I went to both Green Day MK Bowl shows and they are the only band that can play to 65,000 people and make it feel like they're playing just for you in your front room. So it does depend on the band too.
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Old 12-03-2008, 16:08
DaisyBumbleroot
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Tents - i love the smell of grass and bodies
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