Different listening. Most "rock" is too loud for the room. For example, we went to hear Etta James at Carnegie Hall years ago. Susan Tedeshi opened- she was far too loud for the room, and overloaded it- it was a blob of sound that didn't allow you to distinguish vocals or anything else. Etta's band gets on-- they knew how to play the room, she didn't have the power she did at her height, but it was great.
King Crimson at Bass Hall here in Austin-- powerful, three drummers, Tony Levin on Stick bass, the sound guys knew what they were doing-- you could feel the "thwack" of bass but the sound was not distorted.
Ditto, Lyle Lovett at ACL several years ago-- it's a good room, and they played it perfectly-- Russ Kunkel and Leland Sklar- marvelous.
So, if somebody can play live without blasting me, I'm down. Hi-fi isn't the same.
Whether I want to put up with the rigors of live show is a different issue. Here in Austin, we have a lot of festivals. I don't do those. I like a comfy chair, easy access, no pogo-ing.
Did catch ZZ Top at the Majestic in San Antonio when Dusty Hill was still on the planet. They were great.
I've heard a lot of bands over the years in different venues, from Jim Morrison to the Talking Heads in a pizzeria before they became famous. Little Feat w/ Lowell, opened by Roy Buchanan. I would not have traded those experiences for anything.
Did go to the 02 for Zep in 08. Twas cool.

