Vineyards as Concert Venue ?? - Beauty and the Beasts
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:29 am
Attended the January 31st concert at Bimbadgen in the Hunter Valley after having also been to the 2 in Sydney . A fab concert, I think Leonard has clearly set the standard for superb sound quality, even in an outdoor venue.
However with regard to Vineyard venues for large concerts, albeit often in idyllic settings, to me there appear to be quite a number of disadvantages. This is not withstanding their often difficult accessibility. The crowd management was poor generally, particularly in one section(GA) which narrowed as it approached the right side of the stage. This resulted in many people crowded into a small area. It appeared that many in this area were intoxicated(with alcohol, constant cigarette smoking and clearly other substances)and were a distraction and annoyance to others in the audience ; at one stage the Police were called to manage the problems when security couldn't. There were also young children in this area.
Issues of annoyance were not confined to that area either, one guy in front of our seated group proceeded to light up a cigarette with smoke blowing into the audience. I do not know why smoking addicted individuals are accommodated at all in these sort of events. Thankfully he was quickly "jumped upon" by other audience members. Another woman behind us was talking so loudly, describing the contents of her Asian food, ingredient by ingredient to her partner during a quieter number.Total lack of respect to those around her and the artist.
As wonderful as this particular concert was I wouldn't attend another in this setting again. I think that although indoor venues can also experience issues with audience management, Vineyard settings for very large concerts have more potential to bring out the worst in some people with potential self regulation problems.
Thankfully Leonard was so good that he allowed the majority to transcend the obnoxious minority.
However with regard to Vineyard venues for large concerts, albeit often in idyllic settings, to me there appear to be quite a number of disadvantages. This is not withstanding their often difficult accessibility. The crowd management was poor generally, particularly in one section(GA) which narrowed as it approached the right side of the stage. This resulted in many people crowded into a small area. It appeared that many in this area were intoxicated(with alcohol, constant cigarette smoking and clearly other substances)and were a distraction and annoyance to others in the audience ; at one stage the Police were called to manage the problems when security couldn't. There were also young children in this area.
Issues of annoyance were not confined to that area either, one guy in front of our seated group proceeded to light up a cigarette with smoke blowing into the audience. I do not know why smoking addicted individuals are accommodated at all in these sort of events. Thankfully he was quickly "jumped upon" by other audience members. Another woman behind us was talking so loudly, describing the contents of her Asian food, ingredient by ingredient to her partner during a quieter number.Total lack of respect to those around her and the artist.
As wonderful as this particular concert was I wouldn't attend another in this setting again. I think that although indoor venues can also experience issues with audience management, Vineyard settings for very large concerts have more potential to bring out the worst in some people with potential self regulation problems.
Thankfully Leonard was so good that he allowed the majority to transcend the obnoxious minority.