Finally getting around to commenting on one of @listener’s podcast quips wrt. live music sounding like trash: first-reaction, yes, I fully agree, because the thing that pops into my head when I hear the words “live music” is the stereotypical massive outdoor concert, where they set up for loudness and energy. They want people going to those things to be dancing or jumping up and down or moshing or what have you, and that’s what makes them feel they got their money’s worth, not sound quality.
But the correct answer, as with most things, is “it depends”. Because on the flip side you have the smaller concerts, in smaller well treated venues, like the obvious diametrical opposite being probably string quartet or jazz band concerts, which probably sound their best live (or no worse than in a studio), and are often recorded and published in that setting and not in a private studio.
But another setting I want to highlight, that’s ‘better’ than listening to an album, for reasons other than what you can analyze on an FR graph, is the small live concert where the setup allows the band to meaningfully communicate with the audience.
That’s the only time you can see something like Damien Rice finding out live that Sinéad O’Connor is no longer with us, and going straight into a tribute song:
… or adorbs things like MARO and November Ultra deciding to play “Wonderwall”:
This second one was of course prepared in advance, my point wasn’t that it has to be impromptu, it’s just a cheesy song inserted in there for the lulz but also performed very well, which you just don’t get on most studio albums, it tends to be a concert-only, ‘you had to be there’ kind of thing.
Yeah in general the fewer instruments, the lower stage volume, and the less reinforcement from speaker setups the better. I’ve heard plenty of live gigs sound excellent, but its usually solo/duo/trio acoustic performances or live, unreinforced jazz gigs.
Totally depends on the artist. Some artists and bands have WAY more power and command live than in studio. Jam bands are a prime example. Their live stuff is FAR better than studio stuff. For jam bands, studio albums are just means to fulfill record contracts and templates from which to stretch and expand live.
I’ve been listening to a lot of Waylon Jennings lately. Waylon’s classic “Outlaw” stuff from the early to mid-70s is great in studio. But it reaches a certain level of raw badassery live – especially on Waylon Live! – that you just don’t hear from the studio recordings. It’s elemental, a band in total control.
I go to the Belly Up, a smaller venue in Solana Beach CA often. Many bands over amplification ruins the experience. Seems many confuse volume with quality, especially when it comes to live music. It is always a treat when there are acoustic sets and/or the volume is appropriate for the size and acoustics of the venue. It is disappointing that these small venues do not insure that the musicians tune to the room.
I’m in two local bands here in Syracuse, N.Y. I’m ALWAYS telling my bandmates to turn down, especially at gigs. One, I have severe tinnitus and some upper-end hearing loss. Want to keep what I have! But two, most “civilians” don’t want to hear music as loudly as players in a band.
I have a friend here in town. Fantastic guitar player. Has a tight band. Plays a lot of jam and roots rock stuff. Always a good night out to see him, except for one thing: He REFUSES to turn down at any bar he plays. Whether there are eight or 80 people in the bar, he’s cranking his amps.
So, any time you go to see his band, inevitably you end up leaving early or going outside for a drink because it’s so ear-splittingly loud. Such a waste.
I think I agree with everybody here, though the big exception is for classical music. So long as it’s in the right venue and unamplified, live should always sound better than on disc. Bigger dynamic range, richer detail, etc. Though then you might get someone talking or texting or coughing next to you.
For amplified music, outdoors is better. If you sit back from the stage, for example one level up at Jones Beach, it can be pretty great, even if you feel a little distant. Indoors I basically just don’t go anymore, with rare exceptions – e.g. most jazz clubs are tolerable, though I may still wear a NRR 10 filter or something similar. Hearing protection is essential.
The volume levels at some places are just ghastly. Solar Myth here in Philadelphia has fantastic jazz listings and I’ve been to several shows. For Marshall Allen, however (who is 100, by the way), the volume was over 100 dB on a phone app. In a jazz club! And one with metal walls. So I’ve basically crossed off my list their standing shows.
Honestly I think there are road sound techs with a lot of bands who have just completely destroyed their hearing, which is why we get subjected to obliterative noise levels.
But, yeah, indoor venues with a line array – the sound typically is awful.* I didn’t hear the original Listener quote on that but if that’s what he’s referring to, 100% agree. Stay away from the line array.
*But still I can think of exceptions. Shakti at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, August 2023.
