Martin = Jack Lemmon Pete = Walter Matthau

I’m one of the rare people in the rock/metal community who actually doesn’t care too much for concerts at all. Now I’ve been to a few and enjoyed myself for the most part but that’s because I was invited to come along. I find them to be very expensive, crowds make me nervous and honestly, I sometimes have a hard time making out what’s being played by the band. I’m more comfortable being at home listening to a live album or watching a show then being at one.

I really miss having a printed ticket to save. I have four envelopes full of old concert tickets, and it’s great that I can go back through them and reminisce - and now, to go online and find the setlists for those shows.

You know this will be said at these concerts: Bruce Dickenson-Scream for me(city or venue) David Coverdale-Here's a song for ya Ozzy Osbourne-Let me see your fucking hands

A singer/band has every right to reprimand a crowd throwing shit at the stage. It isn't 'rock and roll', it's dangerous, and no one should have to put up with that kind of abuse while they're trying to do their job. Buying a ticket doesn't give you license to harass the band.

You guys touched on most of my complaints. I'm through with the area shows. I'll settle with small venues and clubs. Great show guys!

My theory is that many people go to concerts for reasons other than the music. A million years ago when I was a student, Nico (backed by Blue Orchids) came to play at my university. To see the concert, I had to arrange to spend the night on a friends couch. Nico was.... Blue Orchids were.… It does not matter. I spent my time looking at Nico in awe thinking, “This woman played on one of the greatest albums of all times.” Her solo albums had such an impact on me. How she looked, how she sounded (she was not bad) was not important. I was in the presence of someone who, to me, was a legend. The magic of that night was truly in my head. This was over 40 years ago and I still remember how she ran out of cigarettes while she was seated playing her harmonium. Someone from the audience threw her a cigarette and it got caught in her hair. She thought at first someone was throwing a missile at her. Then she got it out of her hair, lit it and started to smoke and thanked the person who gave it to her. 40 years later and I can still remember that. It is more than the music.

One of the most enjoyable shows in your series with Martin. I am 72 years old and still love going to concerts, especially metal and classic rock, some prog too. The concert experience has certainly changed for me over the years. Being retired certainly has it's advantages, and also being a non drinker and rather tall. I do enjoy seated shows but smaller standing shows have the advantage of being able to move away from crowd singers and assholes. I am not a fan of acoustic sets but on the rare occurrences that I see them, I am driven to rage by the ignorance of the constant yammering of morons that have no respect for the performer. If you want to talk, go the fuck home or go outside. Anyway, love your shows and am very appreciative of your efforts. Martin is a savant, and his books are epic. Thanks!

Pete’s parking lot pre-show music is spot on!! Drives me nuts hearing a greatest hits being played.. songs you’ve heard a thousand times and have paid for 1001, no need to add to the number ..

I have two more. 1. Squatters who sit in your reserved seat and you have to find an usher to get them to move. 2. Lead singers who use the concert to lecture about some political or social issue they support. I am talking about a regular concert. Not a fundraiser like Bangla Desh or Live Aid.

I can’t deal with the people who go, pay absolutely no attention to the show, and talk amongst themselves loudly. Why the F are you there?!

When I saw Bowie I was on the edge of my seat for Suffragette City. It comes to the huge climax ("Awwww, Wham, Bam Thank You, Maam!") ........aaaaand he doesn't sing it. He just holds out the mic to the audience so they can sing it for him. BUT THAT'S WHY I BOUGHT A TICKET TO SEE YOU SING THAT VERY LINE! Years ago, still mad.

I saw Cheap Trick/ ZZ Top last year in a 15,000 seat arena and they only had TWO merchandise tables. The lineups were so long that people were still lining up when then the show started. I gave up and thought I'd catch them after the show but they had closed down. The infant in the front row is incredible, I can't believe people would be so ignorant. My biggest complaints are 1: cell phones. Take a photo and put the damn phone down. Trying to see the stage through a see of phones. 2: fans in the front rows always yelling out to play certain songs, usually their biggest hits. Have they never been to a show before. The band will get to them later, they have a set list for f**ks sake. If all you want to hear is the hits, stay home and play the album. 3: crappy sound. I pay good money for tickets, fuel, parking merch etc, only to listen to worse sound than my home stereo. Heart and Joan Jett a few years ago, Joan Jett was crystal clear, but Heart was so murky you couldn't figure out what song they were playing. 4: I agree with you about bands talking too much. Saw John Cougar years ago and he played his whole new album which sucked, but he didn't shut up between songs. I don't want to hear his political rants, I came to hear the songs. If he had shut up he could have played ten more songs. Turned me right off of him and I haven't listened to him since. Sorry about the length of this. Great subject. PS I agree, the acoustic sets and extended solos suck.

I have never said "Yes! Yes!" to myself as much while listening to one of these videos as I did while listening to this one.

80 here in S. Florida. No wind chill. My main concert complaint at the ripe old age of (almost) 59 is actually getting off my ass and going to the venue. The drive, the parking, the crowd, shuffling through the aisle to your seat. 30 or 40 yrs ago it was all just a big party......now I just want to be teleported to my seat so I can enjoy the show! Thanks, Pete. Thanks, Martin.

I saw Depeche Mode the last tour they did a few years back, and they had the sound levels spot on - no need for plugs and you could hear every nuance in each song. It was marvellous!

I agreed with most of your complaints, being in my late 50’s as well. I will power through most of it if I want to see a band badly enough. But the biggest problem by far is Ticketmaster and their unlimited, unregulated price gouging. I shouldn’t have to sell a kidney to attend a concert. It’s out of control and seems to be getting steadily worse.

Part of the reason for a sound check, regardless of how long a bands been together, is that the acoustics are different with every venue. But for me the biggest issue is the price of a ticket these days. I guess I got spoiled having to pay hardly anything for tickets. And if you're not used to the low price of a ticket, then you probably can't relate to what I'm saying. But when I compare the two, I see is a massive difference in the dollar amount.

This was great, and so true. I love concerts, definitely into more intimate venues, but always hope that it goes smooth. So many variables can come up and put a damper on what should be a great night out. I’m all for headliner only shows these days!

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!! HALLELUJAH!!, TELLING IT LIKE IT IS, MY BROTHERS!! THIS IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST SHOW SO FAR, IN MY OPINION!! Now, at 60 years old, and having attended many, many concerts over the years, of various genres and subgenres, in venues of various styles and capacities, I believe that you two gentlemen hit on every single gripe that I now profess!! Give me a smaller club or venue, a smaller, yet more attentive and appreciative audience, a seat/chair, ( with a table, in some circumstances, for good food and libations), and a earlier "quittin' time" any day at this stage in the game!! Great show, indeed!!!

My main pet hate is all the twonks, recording the gig with their mobile phones. Switch off the phone and enjoy the gig

Super-fun episode! I agree with 95% ... my rare disagreements: solos are OK at live shows. There's a long history (e.g. cadenza in classical music) and the show should be different than just playing the albums; anyone who plays a given instrument will totally want to see their heroes show off. On people who just like one song: that's fine if they don't bother anyone else. Sitting there, unimpressed, with arms crossed isn't bothering me at all.

Yeah Pete, great explanation about the different audience reaction/behavior based on genre of music.

Martin's smile when Pete is ranting - priceless!

Well thank god its not just me. 57 years I've clocked up so in your age bracket and agree with everything. I just can't be bothered with concerts now. It's way too expensive from the ticket, the fees that go with the ticket, parking etc. The irritation of trying to watch the shows without being distracted by people filming on mobiles - why not just pool it all and have just one guy (and it's always guys!) filming it on behalf of the others. My other irritation is that you find a decent place, catch the support act, be happy with your place when the room fills for the headliners then there's the two guys who show up just as the lights go down appearing from nowhere and stand right in front of you. Where the fuck where they all night. Happened at the last gig I went to BOC in Manchester a cpl years ago and vowed that was it, I just cant be bothered with the live concert experience anymore. Seen most of the bands I want to see, would like to see Kiss again later this year but wont be losing sleep if I dont. Of the new bands around might make an effort for Greta Van Fleet, Rival Sons. Really should let Steven and Simon from the UK Connection loose on this topic.

Hit the nail right on the head. If Siskel and Ebert were still alive they would give Two Grumpy Old Guys two thumbs up!

Blue Oyster Cult is on my list of bands to see that haven't seen yet. I want to see the entire set, hahaha!

My gripes, in addition to Pete and Martin's: - too much AC/cold - can't see the drummer/keyboardist - having to go alone (friends bail or don't like the music) - clubs in sketchy areas of town at night - insufficient touring members (this happens a lot with the blues - where an artist records with a 5 or 6 piece band, then you go to the show and it's just a trio 🙄)

I love how you guys make going to a concert like going to the dentist. You want to be in and out, painless, not too long, just get it done and let me leave.

Pete and Martin - THAT was entertaining!!!! I am 61yrs old, have attended over 100 concerts, everywhere from clubs/bars, theatres, small arenas, large arenas, outdoor festivals and a couple of stadium shows. I've always preferred a seat over standing room, unless sneaking my camera in and wanting to be as close to stage as possible. The reality now is I can no longer stand for 90-120 minutes. lol. I couldn't agree more on purchasing tickets these days. So frustrating not knowing what site you are on. It is impossible to call most venues and get any help as far as purchasing tickets. Love the "leaving early strategy". People talking throughout the show has to be the worst. Last show I attended was Bachman/Cummings at The Kemptville Music Festival (just outside Ottawa) last summer. I set up my chair, well back from the stage, then walked around checking out merch tables and food trucks. I return to my chair to find a guy has set up his chair that couldn't be any closer to mine without touching it. After giving him the Pete Pardo "glare" I just picked up my chair and moved to another area. Having said all this, there is still nothing better than seeing a great band live, performing a great setlist, in a venue (usually a theatre) with amazing sound. One of my favourite double-bills to this day - Tom Petty's Hard Promises tour in 1981, with Split Enz opening. Petty was onstage well over 2 hours and Split Enz, who were popular here in Canada, played an hour. Ticket price $10.00

Great job gents! This was a continuous laugh fest.

Great fun discussion guys. It really comes under the "I thought I was the only one who thought this" banner. It was so good to hear I'm not the only one who thinks this. Thanks for the show, hugely enjoyable.

Yes, I hate when people bring someone who are obviously not fans and they're talking, complaining etc. Why even bother spending the extra money for the ticket?

I can relate to all of this, NOW GET OFF MY LAWN!!!

A great episode with some great points. The older I get (62) - the more I enjoy smaller venues. There are a lot of great tribute bands that come around now and just play great versions and respond to the crowd. I also like to see bands I know- I can appreciate the hits and the deep cuts!

Three things that annoy me about concerts (post 2020) are that some people can't behave, security makes a fuss about handbags, and bands cut down encores. Since the end of the lockdown, there seems to be a lot of folks at shows who don't know the bands. They are just there to get drunk and bother other people. I see more inappropriate behavior than ever before. In one case, I was involved in the matter. I have been going to concerts since the eighties. I have never seen so many weird people at shows as now. Also, security wants women bringing in tiny purses or they have to be clear. They still search and touch all contents! Are they checking men's wallets? They open women's wallets now. Lastly, why are old bands with dozens of songs only playing 90 min sets with one encore? Bands used to play two encores and didn't rely on cover tunes. Strange times.

Solutions to some troubles: 1. Go alone. You can sit, stand, leave and arrive whenever and however you want. 2. You always go to the ticket page via the bands or venues homepage. 3. You use custom-made earplugs. Biggest complaints: 1. Snake pit tickets, golden circle tickets, Ultra VIP including half a sweater tickets. 2. Not enough variety in merch. I have 1 billion t-shirts already. I'd rather buy pins, patches or music. 3. Ticket prices over 100 dollars are a no go. 4. Screaming 14 year olds. Very rare at the shows I go to but extremely painful with or without earplugs. 5. People that talk throughout the whole show. 6. Claiming its your *actual* farewell tour this time to increase hype and inflate ticket prices.

Back in 2018 I went to a show in Toronto to see an experimental electronic musician from Montreal. The two surprise openers meant there were four local opening acts, who all decided to do 40 minute long sets. Even though she did a good set, you could tell even the headliner wasn't all too pleased to be starting at 1 AM. It really felt like the opening acts were trying to impress the headliner, when some tight 20 minute sets probably would have come off as more professional.

I got stories, man, like we all do. My favorite is me driving a car full of buddies to an Aerosmith show at Pine Knob in Clarkston, MI, in the early 90s that had Guns & Roses opening. One of the few times we arrived a bit late so we got caught in traffic at the entrance, bumper to bumper standstill. A giant bus pulls up to the left of us, and my buddies are yacking away and sipping Yukon Jack and I see out of the corner of my eye a stringy haired blonde dude jump out of the bus and then do a butt roll across the hood of my car, leaving a hand print on my windshield, then jumps in a waiting golf cart and off he went. It was Axel Rose at the height of his delusional diva behavior - he was late to his own show. I turn to my buddies, "hey, that was f***ing Axel Rose, man! They were all so drunk not a one of them had noticed, even my brother in the passenger seat. To this day they all deny it ever happened, and yet I remember it like it was yesterday. Axel actually gave a wave.

I'm a grumpy old guy too. I now love when there is no opening act and the band comes on at 8PM SHARP !

Kudos guys. I think you covered it today. Pretty much agree with all your comments regarding the concert experience. One thing I thought of that might be a topic for a different show (if you haven’t already) is when the opening act was better then the headliner.

I just loved this, I have experienced a lot of the stuff in this rant! Brilliant!

Great Episode. I’ve also seen a lot of club shows where the artist will hang around after the show and spend time with the fans. Dick Dale, Tommy Stinson, Dale Watson, The Aristocrats, Wayne Hankock, Flipper, James McMurtry.

When a band ignores huge chunks of their discography. 12 albums or more but only the "big three" get represented.

Oh wow everything you guys mentioned is so true, I’ve lived every one again and again. Great!

1. Unsafe parking/not enough parking 2. Seat jumpers. So annoying going to your seat and having to run people out. 3. Venue running out of water. Have been to outdoor festivals that were woefully unprepared. 4. Venue having insufficient/filthy restrooms. 5. Drunken/Drugged out fans ruining the show for everyone in their area. 6. Price gouging for parking. 7. Well known bands opening and having 20 minute sets. Great topic, fellas!

Strange to hear that club gigs in North America still have late finishes. In Western Europe it's virtually disappeared. Promoters are putting on shows early then using the venue for club nights for "the kids" late at night. I've got one gig next month with an advertised finish of 9:45, great stuff.

This is timely for me. As an immunocompromised leukemia patient, I have not done any indoor shows, including movies, since lockdown. But, I've decided to see Riverside at their Seattle venue. I reached out to the venue and after several emails back and forth have submitted an ADA request (even though I'm not mobility affected) requesting social distancing accommodations at a venue which is not enforcing masking or social distancing. I've heard back from a marketing rep who says they can probably rope off a socially distanced area in their balcony for me. Yeah, I'll be quite a distance from the stage, but I'm looking forward to my first indoor show in several years.

This was a great show. Being a grumpy late-50’s guy myself, I agreed with all these observations.👍😂

My gripe is that big name concerts are almost too professional and slick…I like a bit of rawness and it seemed like in the mid/late 70’s, many bands were pretty raw live overall (listen to a set of The Who or Led Zeppelin circa 1975).

Yes! Recently, I waited through three hours of unadvertised support bands

Great episode…I’m 57 and other than shows my 27 yr old Son invites me too, my concert days are over. I just don’t have the patience and interest in the expense and stress for shows. Well that and the fact that I have seen so many of my favourite Bands Live that I really don’t have a long list of ‘must see’ left. Most Live shows are imperfect anyway, mostly because of the people and crowd behaviour, but I’ve also ruined plenty of shows too, by being too excited, partying too much or just being too stressed about the whole event to really just have fun. Not worth it anymore. But, there are still the odd one my Son and I will attend. We’re seeing Beck this September @ Bud stage in T.O. Again.

Death metal shows are odd because from my experience, half of the audience headbangs and even fewer mosh, while the other half stands there attentive to details. People expect death metal shows to be violent, but attendees are polite and stick to themselves. I agree with all the other points, especially acoustic sets.

Totally agree about self indulgent solos...just rubbish and waste a good concert.. Back in the day I saw the ace of spades tour...it was so loud I was off school the next day!! Loved it..I was 13 .what's not to love about that

Great show, hilarious. Concerts have always been absolutely awful, but when you're young enough you live with it for what in many cases is the wonderful experience of the music. I'm a bit older than you guys (66) and although it feels a bit sad it was such a relief to finally decide I can't be bothered with the hassle side of it any more, I'll just listen to the album or watch the DVD at home. I still love watching live stuff on DVD or YT. The last concert I went to was King Crimson at the Bournemouth Pavilion, a 1500 seater old style theatre, just them, great show, sound level just right. One of the best concerts I've ever seen.

Getting out of the venue is my main complaint. A few months ago I went to see Stevie Nicks at the Mid-Florida Amphitheater in Tampa. It took almost a freaking hour to get out of the parking lot. instead of orderly letting people go, then you go, everybody thinks that edging other people out of the line somehow speeds things up.

🤣Blasting the band’s albums in the parking lot just before the show DRIVES ME NUTS,always has!! So funny..

Classic! Pete, even Tala was groaning throughout to voice her grumpy displeasure of the BS of concert going today! Ha! I laughed my butt off here.

Rapidly approaching 60 and still going to gigs regularly and loving it..Pet peeve is stacking gigs with 2-3 local bands - main band doesn't start until 10pm, I dont get home mid-week until after midnight. Understand that bands need a chance to play, get exposure etc but why not start at gig at 6.30. On the other hand I saw Geoff Tate and band last week, band in excellent form started 9pm and played until 11.45 with a rousing encore of Queen of the Reich. Late but very happy. A word to venues that think 'oh we have a metal band on tonight, we should play Paranoid or Run to the Hills between bands', there are literally a million other metal tunes folks !

As a 60 year old wheelchair user my gripe is small venues with no access. I love going to gigs but feel I'm being discriminated against.

Martin - you can get custom molded earplugs that allow the concert to sound good while doing a good job of protecting your ears. I highly recommend getting a pair.

I can't stand people singing along to the songs loudly. I didn't pay good money to hear George's or Katelyn's rendition of the song.

Great show Pete and Martin. Right on about everything

Went to see The Allman Betts Band twice. Both times nobody really payed much attention unless they were playing Allman Brothers Band songs. Some talked during their own songs. Their encore song was the awesome Pale Horse Rider and people were heading for the exits 😖 They put on a fantastic show though!

How did I miss / not watch this video back then when it was released? 🙂 I don't know 🙂 One of the best of your episodes overall imo 👍🏻🙂 Thank you.

Agree with 90% of your complaints and reasons. I'm 60 and I think I am done going to concerts. Last concert I saw was Paul McCartney in a big stadium & BOC with UFO at a club, both enjoyable memories to go out on. Had to many bad experiences to think about going to any more concert other than maybe a small theater or club to see the band up close.

For me the biggest annoyance of concerts now is buying the tickets. All the best tickets go immediately and are then put on a second hand site for double the money within seconds and the original selling site and the second hand site are often the SAME company. Second hand sites should be banned and if people can’t go to the concert the original seller should provide a refund and put the tickets back on sale for the original face value.

I was at Ozzfest 2000. At that show, Disturbed was only on 2nd stage. Godsmack was on main stage and just getting ready to release their 2nd album. I remember them playing a track from that upcoming album to promote it. And most of all, Pantera was right before Ozzy. This was just after their last album dropped and before Dimebag got shot.

Totally agree about King Crimson. Also, no phones or photos at KC. What a difference! Just listen to the music!

...And you guys don't have those horrible festivals (Hellfest, Graspop, Wacken...) where 500 bands play at the same time a short set (based on their Best of) to a crowd of people who don't care, and then the band doesn't show up to a regular venue during their tour performing a regular show... I haven't been to a concert since covid and I don't miss it. The only concerts I will attend from now on are small venues with good sound and good seating. Cheers.

About the volume. I live in Sweden and here it´s the opposite. The volume is always too low, to the point were you hear people talking when the bands play. This is due to authority restrictions and it often ruin the concert experience. And to make it worse the sound engineers try to compensate with mixing the bass drum and the bass frequences too high. So you go to a metal/punk concert and you don´t hear the guitars. It´s so bad. It has made me more or less stop going to anything else than club gigs. I dunno, maybe that is a good thing? Supporting the local scene and all that. But I miss going to larger venues sometimes, there is now way I´m paying high ticket prices to see bigger bands with those conditions though. The law says you can´t go over 97dB which is ridiculous. And if the venues go over that the´ll be fined right out of business. These days the only time I get to hear loud guitars is when I rehearse with my band. I honestly though this was the case all over the world. Maybe I have to move to Canada to get my rocks off.

Popoff and Pardo are at it again and this time, they sound just like me though I'm ten years ahead of Pete and about 7 ahead of Martin. Just a highly enjoyable episode with some great tales and common complaints - at least among some. Just bought tickets to see Kansas next January so was happy to hear Pete's positive comments about an experience with them. But also interested in a doom band that SoT brought to my attention that is out on tour but the closest stop is a bar or very small venue about 2 hours drive away through crazy Florida interstate traffic and you have to stand the whole time. Debating that just for that reason but time's about up. Pete and Martin just about swayed me to just listen to the CD. Used to go to every concert I could and had a great time, but the years are teaching me a bit. Enough rambing. Thanks again, gents. A great show and very timely.

...Oh Oh Oh Ah Ah Ha ha 😂 ! I Loooooove this Rant ! ....thanx Guys ...All the Damn Time !

This was wonderful. Love listening to your rant coz you make good points and you know what you're talking about. Thanx guys.

Great topic Martin and Pete. Having gone to a bunch of concerts last year you two hit a lot of valid points. Dream Theater was so loud that I started feeling sick and the light show started to get to me too because of the sound. Priest and Quensryche were too loud, glad I remembered ear plugs. The Opeth/Mastodon show everyone decided to stand up in the large seated theater. I have stenosis and standing is very hard most times, so I got to hear the show.

Ticketmaster. Ruined everything.

On the subject of venues, I can't believe you didn't mention how everything now revolves around being "VIP," where the fans who are willing and able to fork out the most money are the ones who get to enjoy the best concert experience. In the old days, if you got up early the day tickets went on sale and waited in line at the box office, you could count on getting a good seat for your effort. Now, all of the good seats for every show are immediately scooped up by internet bots to be scalped for five times face value, or the best tickets are set aside for corporations who have bought them exclusively for their employees... not to mention the insane number of "pre-sales" before the average fan even has a chance to buy their ticket -- fan club pre-sale, CitBank card holder pre-sale, venue pre-sale, etc.... and the club shows where you used to be able to get in line early to get a good seat or a place up front -- not any more. All seating is now on a VIP basis, where you have to pay an extra $100-$200 to sit at a table, or pay for early entry into the venue for a good spot. I know some clubs who used to have free parking but are now charging and additional $10-$20 if you want to park in their lot. In the old days, it wasn't uncommon to see band members hanging out by the merch table to sign autographs and take photos -- now all of that costs extra for the "meet and greet experience," which typically costs another $100 or more. It's an obvious sign of how venues (and bands) are looking for any way they can to extract as much money as possible from people who attend their shows, and it really makes it clear that they're only doing it for the money now, and not to provide a memorable concert experience for the fan. So glad I grew up in the 1970s and 80s, when concert tickets cost less than $10, and it was about the music instead of the money.

Last week I saw clips on here of the first shows of the new Pantera line up and it was one of the saddest things I've ever seen, the entire audience standing still just holding their phones up like they were in a trance. A band that had once of the most explosive live shows and pits I've ever experienced and now they were like tranquilized sheep. For bands that feed of live energy from fans that has to be crushing. Reason # 1673 why I'm thankful I grew up in the 90's.

I also hate the idea of festivals sometimes when an artist you really want to see only has a short setlist while others you dislike are on stage for a full show! Also the festivals where they put more than one band of a similar genre at the same time so you have to skip one of them? In this case I can't think of anything specific regarding music, however I went to a ComicCon in the UK a few years back and found that they organised a major Doctor Who panel at the exact same time that you had THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY for a meet and great with Tom Baker? If people are paying for a VIP experience, they shouldn't have to miss out! I went to another music festival in the UK and paid for both a Rick Wakeman & Alice Cooper Experience, but the organisers didn't actually publicise when the meet & greats were on and I missed the opportunity to hear those artists doing their talks before doing autographs and photos.

This is a great episode. It would have been even greater had the topic been brought up among the Hudson Valley Square members. Plus I wanted you guys to disclose the bands you were implicitly referring to.

Lol you guys are the best. Love the video like always. Thanks so much

Such a great episode. Saw ELP eon's ago. A young energetic band, called Journey, opened. Those days are gone.

I hate when bands want the crowd to sing their songs. I mean, it's okay for one or two times, but some bands point the microphone to the crowd all the damn time and let them sing. I didn't pay to sing it myself or hear the crowd singing.

“I don’t wanna clap because it hurts my hands!” Martin is the perfect curmudgeon.

Always a great show - and I needed a boost today since I was sluggish. Thanks for getting me going guys! I'm probably the odd ball out here but only a few of the things brought up bother me. I know I'm younger (34) and maybe have more tolerance at this point in my life, but none of these annoyances outweighs LIVE MUSIC for me. We'll see as time goes on, but I'm hoping it doesn't become a drag for me...I love it too damn much.

Cool vid. Ha ha we get a good laugh out of this vid. Ha ha Cheers!

I won't mention the artist (because I've seen them other times and they were great so I'm not going to throw them under the bus) but the worst gig I ever went to suffered from multiple things. Firstly the venue was only a 1/3 full and you could tell he wasn't happy about that. Every song sounded flat, quiet and the whole band lacked any energy. Then he got grumpy because the crowd wasn't 'getting into it' even though it wasn't music to go nuts to. Then he finished after 60mins (which we presumed was the planned 'break' before an encore) but he didn't bother coming back. I guess we can all have an off night but it all seemed very unprofessional to me.... he clearly wasn't happy but you still give it your all for the people that paid to be there right?

Wow, this episode sure hits close to home

The setlist thing for me is that 1 or 2 songs that a band won't give up and keeps telling the audience they love this song. Example would be Fear of the Dark from Iron Maiden, they have played this on every tour since it came out ,even the one where they played their whole new album. Kiss it would be Lick it up or Do you love me. Also, the whole Ticketmaster thing where they basically became a brokeridge and the prices fluctuate. My final one is I dont understand how bands used to play 18-20 songs in a 90min or 2 hr set. Now they only play about 13 songs in that same time period. Is it just extending the sings or more time taken in between. It's kind of annoying.

Excellent episode!! You are thinking what we are thinking at these shows. Also, buying tickets online. I almost missed the Sytx, Reo, Loverboy concert last year. Bought from third party from live nation. Could not download and went to venue and they told me get refund with company on phone. I bought new tickets at box office venue and got refund for online tickets that couldn't be download. Very frustrating.

Definitely grumpy old men complaints. And being a grumpy old man since I was a grumpy young man, I agree with almost all ... One I hate, and this is just me, are the strobing lights. Anymore, it just gives me a headache, when the lights flash so fast. Thank God I don't have epilepsy ...

I like going pubs or night clubs for live music. Or a small 2500 seater, depending on which band is playing. 🤘🤘

Cool topic! I found myself nodding and smiling a lot. But when you mentioned preferred venues, Casinos weren't even brought up. When my favorite classic bands started playing casinos, I was disturbed. Casinos were for Tony Bennet and Dean Martin, not rock bands. But as I have aged, I've found that I like casinos. They've got table service for crissakes!

All your rants jive with my thinking. On the ticket buying experience, have to agree. It sucks!! One benefit though is if you can't go, it's fairly easy to sell your ticket when you end up not being able to go. I personally I like the smaller venues and lesser known artists, big shows and big bands, not so much ...

You guys are still blessed with lots of chances to see concerts, because the bands artists to come close to your town. I lived in the States between 2012-2020 and came back to this small hometown in Japan, where hardly any bands come to put on a show. I wish I could relate all the concert gripes I had in the States to my music life in Japan. Basically no concert experience here to compare to the one in the States.

People on other people's shoulders for minutes on end (usually at outdoor gigs) obscuring your view is most annoying. They usually get a well aimed empty beer can in the back of the head.

I luv this.. you guys have a plethora of good points! Lol. In regards to places to pee.. if we were at an outdoor venue, we'd always head to the treeline and go in the woods. F those Porta potties.

I saw Kansas a month or so before Leftoverture came out. They opened w/Carry on Wayward Child - an awesome beginning to the show even though (at that point) no one knew the song !

I have not seen as many concerts as you all have but do remember seeing the "Black Crowes" at the Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach back in the mid 1990's. They took a minute to come out as they were obviously late coming on stage. I was close enough to recognize that they were stoned/drunk out of their minds. It took a few songs for that to wear off and became a really good show but man were they so stoned. Almost mushroomed stoned if I remember. They looked confused coming out on stage during that particular show. The whole crowd were doing the same so it was not a bad vibe but man o man. You could see how Red their Eyes were if you were in the front 10 rows for sure. Love SOT! Keep it coming

My biggest complaint is the cliche contrived encore. I can't stand it when a band purposely doesn't play one of their signature songs, walk off the stage as if the concert has ended but the house lights don't come on which is a signal to the audience that there is a possibility of an encore. Then some knucklehead roadie comes out and yells out at the audience, "if you want them to come back out you need to yell louder, they can't hear you,, make some noise". And predictably, the band comes out and plays their signature song making the audience feel like they've succeeded in getting the band back out to play. Stupid, absolutely stupid!