Look guys, I'm a realist.

I understand you got to rock out....but hey, when you're at a small, enclosed venue like the BJCC concert hall it's not necessary to turn the dial all the up to 11.

Fortunately, I was able to wheedle a pair of earplugs from the staff.

The downside to a concert with earplugs is the same as sex with a prophylactic: it's just not as good.

Please consider a lower volume in more confined spaces.

Thank-you.

Finally, for all you young whipper snappers out there, this is who Ben was talking about right here.

Death Cab really aren't very loud... I have no idea what you're talking about.

I was at the 4.23 Bellingham show, in the 6th row off to the side right in front of the speakers, and I didn't think it was very loud at all. Three days later I saw My Bloody Valentine......now that was LOUD.

quote:

Originally posted by .brian:
Death Cab really aren't very loud... I have no idea what you're talking about.

brian,

Please don't take offense. I understand what you're saying and agree.

My point is that the actual volume on the speakers was way too high for a small, enclosed room.

Case in point: Norah Jones' music is not "loud" per se, but if you turn the volume up high enough on the speakers, it can get a little irritating on the ears.

I'm not trying to get into a debate about DCFC's music. I'm just saying the decibels could have been much lower and the concert much more enjoyable.

No I know what you mean. Just wondering, how old are you and where were you in relation to the stage? Just saying, Death Cab really isn't a loud live band compared to others. Do you go to shows often? (sorry if this sounds offensive or anything, totally not meant to sound that way)

i remember my first concert... i thought it was extremely loud! but then i went to more and more of them, and none of them got quieter... and now i find the ringing in my ears as I leave a concert to be one of the most satisfying things in the world. But what Im trying to say is, concerts are loud. unless your going to an acoustic set, expect to have your ears ringing

This thread makes me laugh.

You will probably like Andrew bird then....

quote:

Originally posted by .brian:
No I know what you mean. Just wondering, how old are you and where were you in relation to the stage?
Just saying, Death Cab really isn't a loud live band compared to others. Do you go to shows often?
(sorry if this sounds offensive or anything, totally not meant to sound that way)

Nah man, it's cool

I'm 33; which could be part of the reason I feel the way I do.

I will say though, that I've seen at last two other musical acts at the BJCC concert hall and neither one of them were so loud to the point I needed ear plugs.

The group I saw that most closely parallels DCFC was Coldplay. I'm not saying Coldplay's performance is better than
Death Cab's but the actual volume level of the music was tolerable. For both bands, I was positioned in the Orchestra Section, Row M; that translates to about midway back on the first floor.

As you probably know, DCFC had three acts. Ra Ra Riot came out and the sound was perfect for my tastes.

Then Matt came out and the huge speakers above the stage were turned on. Maybe it was just me, but the speakers were so loud the music came out a little distorted. I think if we'd been outside, it would've been fine. It's just the sound had no where to propagate but in that room.

We still had a good time; I just couldn’t have sat through it without hearing protection. That deficiency in the performance motivated me to post in here in case the band had some down time and wanted to see what people were saying about their venues.

An SPL Meter is probably a better gauge than my opinion, but just thought I'd give my two cents.

I appreciate you hearing me out

Alabama - you are not alone. I too have never understood volumes so loud that ear protection is needed - especially in indoor venues. It doesn't improve the sound quality anywhere in the room. All I can figure is it's expected by many in attendance. If someone can help me understand the need, I'm all - ringing - ears.

I agree Alabama - I saw them in Bellingham at the Mount Baker Theater (4.22 show) - medium sized place.

I like rock music live with some ooomph so I don't have a problem with loud but they played at a volume for the acoustics at the MBT where I had problems picking out some individual playing, except for the drums and bass and the big chords. I never like that and it's especially unfortunate with these guys because they are great live players. It was more of a wall of sound than I wanted it be.

I'm approaching geezer-hood at 56 but I have plenty of experience with loud music in the late 60s' and early 70's and DCFC was pretty loud.

I still liked the show a lot.

Here's how good they sound live when you can really hear everything:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bllo6dHnZ70

quote:

Originally posted by Alabama:

...

We still had a good time; I just couldn’t have sat through it without hearing protection. That deficiency in the performance motivated me to post in here in case the band had some down time and wanted to see what people were saying about their venues.

...

Alabama - you are a very good writer and a diplomat. Nice posts ...

I was sitting in the second section, and the sound was perfect where I was at. RaRa Riot sounded muffled during their performance, but Matt Costa and DCFC were ok.

I totally agree that the show in Birmingham was way too loud! I had to cover my ears. I was way up in the balcony and I could barley understand any word they sang.
One more thing: Why do teenage girls sit and text during the entire concert? Does the country have a collective ADHD Disorder?

quote:

Originally posted by Marcus:

One more thing: Why do teenage girls sit and text during the entire concert? Does the country have a collective ADHD Disorder?

I think this obsession can be associated with the introduction of social networking sites and the development of a need to constantly let friends and peers know just how cool the individual is being. To a certain extent, telling people about what you are doing has become more important/exciting than actually experiencing what you are doing. Also, teenage girls have a tendency to become obsessed with that boy they see at the gym and like to tell everyone they know about everything he does.