Concert ticket advice

[Tiamat]

ok, so next week is my birthday and my favorite band in the whole world is Journey and they are coming to San Antonio this friday. Hubby is getting us tickets to the show in the Ochestra section. Now there are sections 1,2 and 3. 2 would be center 1 and 3 on each side. I have never been that close at a concert except Jackson Brown back in the 70's and I was wayyyyyyyyy to to really remember to much. But for what he's paying for these I want to have a good seat.

So here's the deal, section 2 has seats but they are in row J, section 3 and 1 however have row d available which basically means 4th row. While we won't be center we would be closer. So anyone ever gone to a concert and sat that close? What would you suggest.

[Cartimandua]

In my experience, (and this may not be applicable to the concert you are attending) the sides of the stage have huge speakers which will blow your ears out if you are sitting too close. If that were the case, I would recommend sitting in the center, even if it's farther back. However, as Journey is not necessarily a hard rocking, super loud band, perhaps this doesn't matter.

[Tiamat]

it's actually Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick. See I thought that speakers might be pointed in that direction and at my age I'm already begining to loose my hearing a bit, I don't need much help

[rah]

Center slightly back farther is better than side slightly closer. And yes the side speakers can be a killer.

[-Jrabbit]

BTW, I hear that Journey has some really rockin' visual effects and lighting for this tour. They're using SoundSpectrum software that is triggered by the music - and even the crowd reaction - to generate big-screen graphics effects. The reviews of that side of things have been extremely positive.

Regarding audio and seat selection:

There will almost certainly be two line array clusters, left/right. These are designed to propagate pretty even-tempered sound throughout the house. If the system engineer is competent, about 70-80% of the seats will get pretty equivalent sound. Concert audio is MUCH more advanced these days than it was even a decade ago. And vs. the 70s, there is no comparison.

-You don't want to be under an overhang/balcony.
-On the extreme sides, you don't want to be too close to the wall.
-The back wall is no bargain either.

The problem with the first few rows is that the direct sound from the stage, especially drums and guitar amps, will hit you directly, without benefit of a mix. The spill from the stage can be substantial, and it's uncontrolled. That's why the first few rows almost always suffer from bad sound, even in the middle. Vocals can be almost totally lost. If the band is using in-ear monitors instead of floor wedges, you stand a better chance. But in general, I heavily recommend against the first few rows. Unless you feel strongly that line of sight is more important than sound quality. In that case, obviously, get as close as you can.

Broadly speaking, the biggest negative effect in concert sound is early reflections of direct sound. They are the most difficult to compensate for, and the system engineer (in general) works pretty hard to get those reflections under control during setup, via careful aiming of the speakers and digital signal processing. (In fact, most major venues exist as computer models, so basic system design is done long before the band arrives in town.) But once the show starts, since the house sound engineer is invariably located near the centerline, he literally can't hear what's happening at the edges of the venue.

So basically, it's preferable to stay away from all walls.

Of course, you're still at the mercy of the mixing skills (and ears) of the individual sound engineer. But in terms of the interaction of the sound system and the building, those are some basic guidelines to keep in mind.

Or, just do what I do: befriend the sound engineer and sit with him. Best sound in the house, guaranteed.

[Ecthy]

Re: Concert ticket advice

Originally posted by Tiamat
ok, so next week is my birthday...

And there was me thinking the term "attention whore" was coined to denote a SPECIFIC kind of girl. Either she's one or it might as well apply to all of them at a time.

[DirtyMartini]

I don't think you need to worry about sound quality -- you're going to have 10-15,000 people bellowing every single lyric -- you won't miss anything.

[Asher]

I'm going to a Coldplay concert next Wednesday so I don't think I can critique your Journey concert.

Maybe in a few weeks I can.

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by Asher
I'm going to a Coldplay concert next Wednesday

My condolences

[SlowwHand]

I prefer lower balconey, just enough towards center to clear the speakers on sight line. On the floor, count on standing the whole time. A relic like you will never make it.

[Tiamat]

Row K which would be equal to center about 11th row and from what you guys are saying that seems to be a good view vantage and sound vantage.


Oh and Ecthy et al falme on boys hell ain't half full

"and that's all I have to say about that"

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
I prefer lower balconey, just enough towards center to clear the speakers on sight line. On the floor, count on standing the whole time. A relic like you will never make it.

Alright Grandpa! Maybe I'll will, Journey goes on last I'm hoping all the other relics will be just as tired

[Tiamat]

Thanks for the advice. We wound up going with your advice Rah. Center stage but 11th row. Seemed like a good spot. So we'll see how this old lady does tomorrow night.

[Jonny]

I'm going to see this show in September... should be good

[Tiamat]

I'm so freekin' excited I'm up an hour earlyier today just to get the work day over, but I'm not suffering to much since I get off work at noon.