h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi people.
I have just had a thought for a little entry and I wondered if ayone was interested in contributing.
it occurred to me that no-one has discussed that post-gig feeling when life can feel pretty cool. I'm thinking of perhaps going to see your favourite band and it blowing your mind -or even going to your first gig ever. I thought maybe we could put in people's different experiences-not perhaps a 'guide entry' in the conventional sense but a sort of gig-goers reflection and why we keep goig back for more live music.
Whaddayathink?
Kaz

Sounds like a good idea. Brilliant gigs, even disappointing ones, the highs, the t-shirts etc.....

exactly, and what made them unique. there's a quote I'm thinking of to explain kind of what I'm getting at. In the Very Best of Crowded House album, in the sleevenotes, a journalist says: "..the sheer ecstacy that takes hold when-lost in a room full of voices you swear you've never felt this joyful, isn't something you forget in a hurry..."

"A while ago someone asked me to sum up the music of Crowded House : ...simultaneously the saddest and most uplifting thing I've heard..."


The Finn brothers carry that vibe with them.-because they are part of Crowded House.
Maybe I should post my thoughts on some gigs I've been to first and see what people say.

Good idea. Give people an idea?

Yeah.

Just thinking there could be loads of possibilities in this area with good/bad/perfect gigs, merchandise, costs, locations, "seating only" and "no cameras" rules, and all that. Could be great to get loads of people together.

Excellent idea. It just seems a little quiet in the MuG at the mo-dunno where everyone's gone...?
Its nearly summer hols-some younger hootooers must be on surely?

We can't really be the only ones here I agree.

Hellooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is there anyone else there??

I'm here. I'm just not even remotely relevant, in any positive sense anyway, to the project you are suggesting - being completely anti "gig" and opposed to everything about which you are enthusing. I did add a link to the thread to the monthly update though, just in case there did happen to be any other MuGs around, ie other than yourselves, who like "gig"s.

Well it's always good to hear an opposing viewpoint.

hmm.
Dare I ask why you are not so keen on live music sef, or are you merely being sarcastic?

Good question.

I'm a mixture of deaf and ultra-sensitive to sound. So I need to be able to control volume levels very carefully. I'm also extremely allergic to a great many things, including humans (hair) and the stuff they tend to put on (clothing and scents) or drink.

I never did believe in the "atmosphere" side of live events but I can certainly spot the rubbish performance and sound quality elements of them. So I would never knowingly choose a live recording over a studio one - let alone actually go to an event in person and probably be in some extra-bad location.

I don't have favourite bands or behave like a fan(atic). I don't take recreational drugs of any kind, including alcohol. So there is no post-gig "cool" feeling. Just lots of extreme sickness from sound vibrations and allergies plus further physical damage from anything that knocked into me and subsequent illness from infectious diseases.

There is nothing remotely appealing about a live "gig" infested with dangerous humans. Even classical concerts are intolerable unless I'm the performer and thus in a more protected zone (though I don't even do those any more either).

So no, no sarcasm; just a Marvinesque "sounds ghastly".

Sounds scary. Definately a very valid reason for not being a concert goer. I hope that there are other ways you can enjoy music without all the discomfort.

Sorry Sef.
One thing I would add though is that I too "don't take recreational drugs of any kind, including alcohol." Please don't suggest that all concert goers go out to get smashed etc, because a lot of us don't. I believe that you can come away from a gig feeling pretty great without all that, as I have on several occasions.

I am reading and hoping to contribute something, but I'd like to see how this develops first - I'm very busy for the next fortnight, but might be able to do something towards this Entry afterwards

Yeah, Sef, Kaz is right. There are probably only a minority who have to get drunk and/or high to enjoy a concert, or anything else. But we're not them and definately don't recommend it.

Yey!! Skankyrich, glad to hear from you!

That was covered by my first option of being a fanatic though - ie those being essentially people who, because of their behaviour, manufacture their own drugs internally.

Well I suppose if you look at it, we *all* do. Though it's kinda icky to think about. You do have to admit that a bit of adrenaline's kinda different to taking speed or something.