I have grown to hate large venues, like arena shows, owing to stupid people who won't stop talking, bad acoustics, etc. I'd generally rather listen at home than go to an arena, unless it's someone incredibly special.
On the other hand, for smaller venues or up close, nothing beats being there in person. Seeing Jorma and Jack, with their intimate level of on-stage communication, honed over 50+ years, from row 2 was priceless. Seeing the interactions between Pat Metheny, Charlie Hayden, and Jack DeJohnette up close from a distance of 20 feet was amazing. Participating in a drum circle with a Bedouin tribal group in the Sahara Desert, despite my mediocre skills, was incredible.
Music is more than just good sound and communication to the listener. It's about the communication between the music makers as well, and how that fosters both creativity and coherence. Seeing that in an intimate setting, especially with high-calibre musicians, is one of life's great pleasures.
