Some musings on 'stadium rock'...

[bobbity2]

Interested to see that the Stones are one more preparing for a lucrative visit to our shores. Whilst it might be tempting to go, and no doubt the promotion and advertising will be seductive, I don't think I will be forking out my $150? $200?, on principle alone.

I don't think 'stadium rock' is in itself value for money. How can you get the rush of a rock concert when the performers are several kilometres away? I went to see U2 about 10 years back at the MCG, and was lucky enough to get seats fairly close to the front. People who I spoke to who had been in the stands said it was diabolical, with a long 'delay' on the sound. In any case, tours such as those by the Stones, and even arguably Pink Floyd back in '94 are essentially nostalgia. People don't go to hear the new material, rather the stuff from the 'glory years'. And that's ok, but I won't be paying exorbitant amounts to see acts like the Stones just because it's expedient for THEM to do a one show, stadium rock "smash and grab". Comments?

[Docker_Brat]

I think many times it's a matter of greed on the part of these bands. How relevant are the Stones now? They haven't had a hit since the early 80s, I'm sure many fans go just to say they had seen them.

These bands are a total rip off, going one of the local pubs coughing up $10 to get and seeing some bad punk band is much better value IMO.

[AlfAndrews]

I am a huge fan of the Rolling Stones and have been for a very, very long time.

In 1988 I saw Mick Jagger perform with a touring band at Thebarton Oval and I stood fairly close to the front, and it was the most mesmerising performance I have ever seen from a rock and roll performer. He sang mostly Stones songs, and even had a Keith Richards look-alike playing guitar. In those days Mick and Keith were not on speaking terms and each had put together their own separate bands. Can't remember the price of Mick's Thebarton gig, but it would have been around $30 or so.

In 1995 the Rolling Stones toured Australia. I saw them at Football Park. I thought the prices were obscene. I think it was something like $90 and $60. The $60 seats were complete crap, so it was a case of either paying the $90 or don't bother. There was no way I was going to miss the Stones, so I coughed up.

To my complete dismay, even the $90 seats were crap, unless you'd camped out for days to get seats. I was still a mile from the stage and watched most of the show through binoculars. I got a fantastic view of all the fireworks and brouhaha ... but the band was just these tiny figures on a stage.

Sure, they WERE unmistakeably the Rolling Stones. And their music was that same gloriously sloppy rock and roll that has made Stones concerts legendary. And Mick was as mesmerising and hyper-active as ever. And Keith was still the coolest thing to ever hold a guitar ... and he appeared to be alive, which was a bonus. Ronnie was the eternal party animal and Charlie was the grand old Father Time keeping an eye on everyone. Despite my crap seat I still enjoyed the gig ... the Stones are one band who can actually bring off this stadium rock caper.

But it was still a bloody rip off. And it was obvious from the huge stage and all the big production and razzamatazz where all the money was going.

Stadium rock is BS ... and it's big time BS.

I would have much prefered to see the Stones in a poxy little pub through a basic PA, with a standard light show. But I guess I'm about 40 years too late for that.

After that Rolling Stones show in 1995, I was convinced that I had seen the best that stadium rock has to offer ... I vowed there and then that I would NEVER pay big money to attend a concert ever again.

So far I've stuck to that ... and as much as I love the Rolling Stones and always will, there is no way known that I will be paying the sort of extortionate prices that will be required to see them this time around.

I look at it this way ... Has Mick or Keith ever gone hungry to go to one of my gigs?

No.

So, why should I go hungry to go to one of theirs?

[Shinboners]

Never been into stadium rock bands - always preferred to see indie bands around the Fitzroy, St.Kilda, Collingwood, and Richmond venues.

However, I did see the Cure and the Pet Shop Boys at Flinders Park Tennis Centre. The thing is that the Cure tried to do a show that was designed for a pub and put it onto a large stage - it didn't work and I was bored. It was one of the most dull gigs that I'd ever been to (the 10 minute guitar solo in the middle of "Primary" didn't help either). A few years later, I saw the Pet Shop Boys at the same venue, but they designed their show for a large stage. It was a pretty simple idea (dancers and the band), but it worked well - they kept things moving at a good pace and they got a good atmosphere going. It's one of the best gigs I'd ever seen.

[sandeano]

Originally posted by AlfAndrews
I am a huge fan of the Rolling Stones and have been for a very, very long time.

In 1988 I saw Mick Jagger perform with a touring band at Thebarton Oval and I stood fairly close to the front, and it was the most mesmerising performance I have ever seen from a rock and roll performer. He sang mostly Stones songs, and even had a Keith Richards look-alike playing guitar. In those days Mick and Keith were not on speaking terms and each had put together their own separate bands. Can't remember the price of Mick's Thebarton gig, but it would have been around $30 or so.


I saw that tour when the circus rolled through The Tennis Centre. managed front row tickets after camping for two nights in Collins Street. (I once waited for 5 nights outside the Comedy theatre for David Bowie tickets, but that's another story).

Anyhow the Jagger gig was a good one except for the lead guitarist (Joe Satriani) who was far too clean in his playing for my liking. Plus the fact Mick was flogging his mediocre "Primitive Cool" album. So we had to sit through about 46 very ordinary solo songs as we waited for the good stuff.

There was a minor hit from that album called "Let's Work".

I'm assumed when Mick launched into performing that, Alf nicked outside for a smoke.

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by Docker_Brat
How relevant are the Stones now?
Every single one of these "garage rock" bands going around today (The Vines, The Strokes, The Hives) owe their very existence to Exile on Main Street.

They are eternally relevant and if you haven't seen them, regardless of cost, stadium atmosphere, age, blah, blah, blah, then friggen do it!

They are something special!!

[sandeano]

Exile on Main Street is the greatest rock album of all time.

Big call I know, but I'm sticking to it. Just an astonishing piece of work.

However....I actually prefer listening to "Let it Bleed", perhaps for the diversity of tracks.

But man, if anyone has not had a close listen to that quartet of recordings they made from the late 60s-early 70s - Beggar's Banquet, Let it Bleed, Sticky Fingers & Exile on Main Street then they are depriving themselves of some landmark recordings, from a great band at the peak of their form.

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by sandeano
Exile on Main Street is the greatest rock album of all time.

However....I actually prefer listening to "Let it Bleed", perhaps for the diversity of tracks.
Ditto!

[Mooster7]

I saw Page & Plant both times they toured. Had they grabbed John Paul Jones and called themselves 'Led Zeppelin' they could have cashed in big and played the larger NFL stadiums. Instead they put on more intimate performances in smaller venues with lower ticket prices than they could otherwise have commanded.

In KC they played at Kemper Arena which is an ice hockey/basketball venue. Surprisingly, the sound isn't so bad even though it wasn't designed specifically for live music. I appreciated the 'closer in' feel of these two shows.

I admit, that had they come as Zeppelin, I would gladly have paid the outrageous prices for an Arrowhead seat.

I'd do the same with the Stones, but precious few other bands unless they came in multiples i.e. Ozzy, Rainbow, BOC, Skynrd, Rush, and so forth - all at once.

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by Mooster7
I saw Page & Plant both times they toured.
I saw the one when they came to Melbourne back in 1995 or 6.

Didn't go in expecting too much (wierd with Zep being my favourite band). I thought threre would be too much emphasis on the Morocan band/style of music and then they come out and blew me away! Best concert I have ever been to!!

[Mooster7]

Originally posted by FIGJAM

I thought threre would be too much emphasis on the Morocan band/style of music and then they come out and blew me away! Best concert I have ever been to!!

Oh hell yeah. They were great - even without playing 'Stairway.' :( ;)

[The Ewok]

Originally posted by Mooster7
Had they grabbed John Paul Jones and called themselves 'Led Zeppelin' they could have cashed in big and played the larger NFL stadiums.

Well you may well be getting your wish as Led Zeppelin are supposedly going to 'reform' for a massive 2003 World Tour with Jason Bonham

[Mooster7]

Originally posted by The Ewok


Well you may well be getting your wish as Led Zeppelin are supposedly going to 'reform' for a massive 2003 World Tour with Jason Bonham

Whoah! *quickly changes underwear*

Where are you hearing this? I'm on the official Led Zeppelin news e-mail list, and I got nothin'. :confused:

But if it happens, I'm there and then some. Peace, - M.

[Stealth bomber]

I'd kill to see Rush again. They were in Milwaukee the month after I left.

The worst though, is that they're playing three shows in Brazil. BRAZIL!!? There aren't any Rush fans in friggin Brazil!

[The Hippie]

I'm with you, Stealth, I wish Rush would come here, would love to see them in concert.

And Mooster, I've read about that same Zeppelin reunion tour on another music board recently. Nothing confirmed, but a pretty solid rumour.

[The Ewok]

Originally posted by Mooster7

Where are you hearing this? I'm on the official Led Zeppelin news e-mail list, and I got nothin'. :confused:


Nothing confirmed, but where's there's smoke there's usually fire

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2002471692,00.html

[TheSheik]

Originally posted by FIGJAM

Every single one of these "garage rock" bands going around today (The Vines, The Strokes, The Hives) owe their very existence to Exile on Main Street.



Don't forget The Black Crowes & Reef either, they have made an artform out of sounding like the Stones circa Exile album.