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Worst Concerts You Have Attended ??

I just left a remark about a favorite band of mine back in the day - April Wine - that I saw in concert and was disappointed. Could have been that it was an off night for them, or maybe they were never good in concert. Maybe the lead guitarist had too much to drink? April Wine was not the worst, however. I remember Neil Young in the 1990's who was on his one-man acoustic show type of tour that many artists were taking advantage of (perhaps for financial reasons) during that time. While a friend of I had near front row seats at Desert Sky Pavilion (now Ak-Chin) in Pheonix, the crowd was just roused up into a frenzy by the warm-up band (James) and here comes Neil and his guitar/harmonica. Wow, what a sonic letdown. I remember getting up and leaving and feeling Neil's glaring eyes on us as we ushered out. I think, to this day, he probably still remembers me. We all can remember the great live concerts we attended, but what were the worst and why?
goodlistening64
vladtheimpala
99 posts
 
Herbie Hancock at the QE Theater in Vancouver 2019. Great band including guest mutli-instrumentalist Terrace Martin and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. Although the sound rig itself looked perfectly legit (I worked in pro sound industry and as a pro musician for the earlier portion of my adult life), save for the lack of center fill to cover those like myself sitting 9th row center, the dunce running the main console had a severe case of tin ear. One of my fellow attendees went back to position himself next to the main sound console to see if it was as bad back there, and he said that it was much worse. Wow.
One of my friends had flown in from Toronto just for this show. All those that I knew in attendance including myself were deeply disappointed and angry. I tried to contact the Vancouver Jazz Festival to ascertain who was responsible for that disaster but could not find any contact info for the organization on their crap website. Infuriating.
rockadanny
1,221 posts
 
... in Atlanta at Chastain Park. This is an expensive outdoor amphitheater and the typical problem with concerts there is the audience who’d rather talk about work, tell jokes, and be inattentive to the music period.
Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me. I hated that place - worst audiences ever. For most of them, after setting up their lavish tables/spreads, if the performers never showed up they'd not even notice. After all, going there was all about them, not the performers. 


roxy1927
112 posts
 
Billy Joel. Somebody's bored old uncle needing to pay alimony.
tmcfadden's avatar
tmcfadden
5 posts
 
Kid Rock opening for the Rolling Stones at OSU stadium, a few years back. Loudest concert in 50 years of concerts, ears rang for 2 days. Volume level did not compensate for other performance metrics.
quinten
10 posts
 
Seems that poor sound mixing/too loud and distorted is a common theme.  I do agree that some of these sound techs must clearly be deaf (understandable) but loud does not equal better.  

The last several concerts I've attended in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace Auditorium and the Venetian Theater (which have excellent acoustics and sound) have been outstanding.

I imagine there will be a flood of concerts coming after the current pandemic restrictions ease.  I already did snag tickets for Chicago in September @ the Venetian which was one of the last concerts I saw in March, 2020.  That was at the Venetian Theater and the sound and performance was excellent.
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