What happened to the "Show" in a Rock Show?

[hoagiepete]

I attended a Trans Siberian Orchestra concert this weekend, which featured an unbelievable stage and lighting rig. Pryrotechnics and lasers...the whole nine yards. Ok...and earlier I had to ...er ...had the pleasure... of taking my 9 year old to a Hannah Montana concert...again with unbelievable stage and lighting.

While at the TSO show, I starting thinking of the rock concerts from the old days and it just seems that Journey and other acts these days feel it it fine to have a basic light rig, throw up a big screen and stand in one place and play. With ticket prices as high as they are, you'd think they could do better.

Maybe some prefer it sweet and simple, but I miss the "show!" Anyone else?

[brywool]

I attended a Trans Siberian Orchestra concert this weekend, which featured an unbelievable stage and lighting rig. Pryrotechnics and lasers...the whole nine yards. Ok...and earlier I had to ...er ...had the pleasure... of taking my 9 year old to a Hannah Montana concert...again with unbelievable stage and lighting.

While at the TSO show, I starting thinking of the rock concerts from the old days and it just seems that Journey and other acts these days feel it it fine to have a basic light rig, throw up a big screen and stand in one place and play. With ticket prices as high as they are, you'd think they could do better.

Maybe some prefer it sweet and simple, but I miss the "show!" Anyone else?

I think that during the 90s and grunge, that a 'showy band' was considered passe' and uncool.
Stupid.

[Deb]

Too funny, I remember seeing Triumph a few times when I was a teen. I couldn't tell ya what they played, but I can remember they had one of the best laser light shows.

Mind you Motley Crue brought the "show" back on their Carnival of Sins tour. But I think it took away from the songs a bit because their was too much else going on on stage with the trapezes and midgets, etc.

[conversationpc]

Keep in mind that having a big show like that can also be cost prohibitive. All that lighting and rigging can be very expensive and I'm that plays a big role in the toned down nature of concerts these days.

[Rick]

Keep in mind that having a big show like that can also be cost prohibitive. All that lighting and rigging can be very expensive and I'm that plays a big role in the toned down nature of concerts these days.

I don't go to concerts to see a light show anyway. The big screens are great though.

Rush does a lot of extra shit that's pretty funny, like having a rotisserie out on stage, and clothes tumbling in a dryer. Strange shit like that is cool because it is unique.

[sniper16]

i heard an interview from TSO yesterday, they spend 1 million a month on pyro alone, sounds great.
kiss, styx on kilroy and spinal tap were really they only bands to play up the show aspect to over the top levels.
journey never really did anything other than play thier asses off. spend the money on the sound, and keep the ticket prices down.

[AR]

i heard an interview from TSO yesterday, they spend 1 million a month on pyro alone, sounds great.
kiss, styx on kilroy and spinal tap were really they only bands to play up the show aspect to over the top levels.
journey never really did anything other than play thier asses off. spend the money on the sound, and keep the ticket prices down.

What about Pink Floyd, Dio, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and The Rolling Stones? They've had some of the greatest stage shows of all time.Iron Maiden is getting ready to roll out the old Powerslave stageshow seen on the Live After Death tour. It should be quite the spectacle!

[conversationpc]

i heard an interview from TSO yesterday, they spend 1 million a month on pyro alone, sounds great.
kiss, styx on kilroy and spinal tap were really they only bands to play up the show aspect to over the top levels.
journey never really did anything other than play thier asses off. spend the money on the sound, and keep the ticket prices down.

What about Pink Floyd, Dio, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and The Rolling Stones? They've had some of the greatest stage shows of all time.Iron Maiden is getting ready to roll out the old Powerslave stageshow seen on the Live After Death tour. It should be quite the spectacle!

I hope they are bringing out the huge robotic mummy. That would be cool.

[sniper16]

i heard an interview from TSO yesterday, they spend 1 million a month on pyro alone, sounds great.
kiss, styx on kilroy and spinal tap were really they only bands to play up the show aspect to over the top levels.
journey never really did anything other than play thier asses off. spend the money on the sound, and keep the ticket prices down.

What about Pink Floyd, Dio, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and The Rolling Stones? They've had some of the greatest stage shows of all time.Iron Maiden is getting ready to roll out the old Powerslave stageshow seen on the Live After Death tour. It should be quite the spectacle!

your right . i was thinking were the theatratics were a big part of the show.
i forgot alice cooper.
along the lines of the bands you added, acdc,queen, and one of the greatest things was when the entire lighting rig came down to revela the mighty VH logo in 1981

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

your right . i was thinking were the theatratics were a big part of the show.
i forgot alice cooper.
along the lines of the bands you added, acdc,queen, and one of the greatest things was when the entire lighting rig came down to revela the mighty VH logo in 1981

Saw Alice Cooper two weeks ago in Cardiff, If you want good theatrics, catch good souveniers, and see a well cheoreographed show, go see his upcoming 08 tour. His daughter is quite the looker as well !!

[texafana]

Seems like the worse the musical performance the more the "show" has to be pumped up. Rush was incredible when we saw them earlier this year. A perfect blend of musicianship and stage show.

[hoagiepete]

i heard an interview from TSO yesterday, they spend 1 million a month on pyro alone, sounds great.
kiss, styx on kilroy and spinal tap were really they only bands to play up the show aspect to over the top levels.
journey never really did anything other than play thier asses off. spend the money on the sound, and keep the ticket prices down.

That was part of my point...ticket prices continue to skyrocket, but the shows become more basic. Check out old Journey light and stage rigs compared to recent tours, even the anniversary tour. I don't need a bunch of pyrotechnics, but I do like a good light show. I will admit, it don't work without the music...but an overall package makes it worth my money.

Another part of the "show" is stage personality. I won't go there I guess.

[cudaclan]

Eye-candy concerts have an opposite impact on performers and their craft. It is a distraction. Looking back, my ideal groups “show” were lava lamp background screens or strobe lights. It was rare to see musicians spending energy moving around the stage. You pay a premium for those special effects.

[mikemarrs]

that person was right about grunge and alternative.it became uncool to put on a big show or have an image.remember the 90's were the time of nirvana and all the bands who hardly played concerts and when they did they stared at their shoes or whined and screamed.name one good alternative band who put on a great show with pyro,lasers or lights.there is none from the 90's.KISS in the late 90's brought back the huge spectactle along with rob zombie.

[weatherman90]

Rush does some awesome things with lasers. I don't like too many lights because I hate it when they shine in my eyes!

[wildone]

Rush does some awesome things with lasers. I don't like too many lights because I hate it when they shine in my eyes!

and the Southpark version They showed on the Big Screen was a blast!!!Great show!!

[AR]

Good points everyone.

I am a total proponent of adding a little extra with stage shows. I can stay home and listen to the records (I'm old).

Journey's stage show has always been lacking. Great band (not now), but I've seen plenty of technically proficient bands add a great stage show to the mix. Schon uses that money to pay alimoney though I guess.