Okay.  The uncomfortable noise level has been an issue for me for some time, when it comes to Blue Rodeo shows (and other bands live shows as well).  I know it's not just me, because every now and again someone else on the board comments about the sound level at various shows.  

My sisters attended the last Blue Rodeo show at Massey Hall, and even up in the nose-bleeds the sound was uncomfortably loud!  The Hall is known for it's great acoustics, so why oh why did they feel the need to have the volume so loud?  Could it be possible that some band members, and/or their sound techs, are suffering from hearing loss?  I have also noted that there was a marked difference between the sound for Jim Cuddy's solo shows, and that of Blue Rodeo performances.  Does he use a different sound technician I wonder?

To me the overly loud amplifiers distort the guitar sound, and muffles the vocals.  At times the sound is so piercing that I have had to cover my ears.  These guys write and orchestrate some great music...It sure would be nice to be able to enjoy hearing it played live.  Guys, for the sake of the music, and the audience, please turn it down!

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I carry with me the memory of a field I once knew, of a night so full of stars that I was left humbled by it's endless beauty. I know that whatever the cost, life is worth living. So bring it on...I can take it.

I saw them last night and I was surprised at how loud it was.  Ive been to metal concerts that were not this loud.  It was a very pleasant surprise though, I loved it.  It was loud and crystal clear, though after the show I couldnt hear much for a few hours, also no complaints there as I was on the road for those few hours anyway. 

 I hope they keep it up.  (the volume that is)

Hmmm.  Looks like we'll just have to agree to disagree, Wes!  Perhaps it's a case that my old ears are more sensitive than your young ears, or your ears are more calloused than mine! 

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I carry with me the memory of a field I once knew, of a night so full of stars that I was left humbled by it's endless beauty. I know that whatever the cost, life is worth living. So bring it on...I can take it.

More than likely.  I can definitely understand why some people wouldnt like it, as I said, it was the loudest show Ive ever heard.

Come on guys, be reasonable.  I live in Charlottetown, and I've been to many shows at the Confederation Center of the Arts.  The show was mixed way too loud for the venue.  Part of a good sound mix is making sure it's loud enough, but not 'over the top'. 

 
I've heard some really bad sound mixes around town, and the most common mistake a lot of sound techs make is that they crank everything up to the point where the sound is uncomfortable.  It's not necessary, nor is it in good taste.  If you're going home with your ears ringing for 3 days, you can kiss a good portion of your hearing goodbye in a few years.  Sure, laugh it off and live it up now, but you'll pay for it.  I'm in a rock band myself, and we play HARD, but for heavens sake...if a professional band doesn't know the difference between a proper mix and one that is too loud, that's pretty bad.

 I've only heard of noise complaints from the Confederation Center once before, and that was ten years ago from some sucky punk band that played there.

 The staff there have experienced plenty of rock music.  They even staged their own rock revue for two years, and it kicked ass.  If they're saying it's too loud, then it was too loud.

 

You know, I think it just boils down to opinion....some people like it loud....some don't. People have different reasons for going to a show....some like to take it in like a great classical performance and some like to ride and feed the energy of a live show!!!

I know my hearing is pretty shot....through years of various ear trouble to way too much loud music, to working in loud environments with or without hearing protection. I've been faking my way through hearing tests for years...but I love when the music is pounding through me....feeling two heartbeats, having my whole body vibrate from it....I love it!!!! I love walking out of a show and having my ears vibrating so bad I can't hear and my voice so raw I can't talk....that's what I like...now I'm not saying everyone should...but everyone has the right to their opinion and maybe the band can't please everyone all the time, but ya know....if they like it the way they are doing it...then that's how they should do it....and maybe all venues won't be handled the same way. Kitchener didn't seem too loud to me and neither did Stratford last year. The music sounded great...now I'm not an expert...and I don't pick apart each and every note and how it sounds...I just take it all in and love every minute of it.

I would think, if people are bothered by the loudness, just bring some foam plugs with you, if you need them, you have them, if you don't...then don't use them....they don't kill the sound, just muffle it.

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"There's one in every crowd, for crying out loud,
why was it always turning out be me"

katiescarlet:

You know, I think it just boils down to opinion....some people like it loud....some don't. People have different reasons for going to a show....some like to take it in like a great classical performance and some like to ride and feed the energy of a live show!!!

It's a little more than opinion.  Loud music and music badly mixed to the point of hearing damage are two different things.  A show can  be mixed well enough to not do the type of hearing damage that leaves your ears ringing for days, and still be loud.  If the sound tech knows what he's doing...or even cares.  I don't know about anyone else, but I would like to continue being able to hear the music I love well into my senior years.  It's partly the performers responsibility to provide a reasonable environment, and partly the listener's responsibility to bring some protection.

 

I would think, if people are bothered by the loudness, just bring some foam plugs with you, if you need them, you have them, if you don't...then don't use them....they don't kill the sound, just muffle it.

 
I too would recommend ear plugs, but not foam.  They muffle the music to a point where it sounds like mush.  I personally use a type of ear plug that only reduces the frequencies to more manageable levels.  They're called "Hearos". 

 

They cost $20 to $30 canadian, and they're well worth it.  I used to wear the foam plugs onstage, but it really affected my ability to connect with the band.  With hearos, I can distinguish the music as if I weren't wearing any ear protection...it just pulls the volume down a bit. :)  That way, you can still have the vibrations go through you, and not blow your hearing. I haven't had ringing ears since.  Personally, I feel it's lame when  a band feels they have to over compensate and blow the audience to hell.  If the music is good enough, it doesn't need to be jack hammered into the listeners head.  A band can blow your mind, without blowing your hearing.

Well I've never worn earplugs and don't know if I would feel comfortable so I just listen to the music the way it's played. For some reason, they just bother me, however, if I was going to a show that I knew was going to be super loud, I would probably bring something to put in my ears--maybe cotton balls or something, but I think I'll try some of these plugs.

There are venues that I know I've been too that the music was loud and us being "in the moment" enjoy it but I know that many times I've heard ringing in my ears all the way home, mind you, it was gone the next morning when I woke up.

I know that there are many people who have suffered problems with ears due to loud music and it's not fun. So maybe I should just start bringing something just in case. But if it has something to do with the mixing of the music, then that's out of our hands. I know that BR's sound guy is very capable so not sure what happened there. I think he does a great job, but people do have off days so maybe something wasn't right.

Hope everyone learns from this and come prepared, just in case. Nothing worst than feeling uncomfortable at a concert when the music you're dying to hear is unbearably loud. Or, maybe somehow go to the usher and maybe mention something to him and see if he can say something to the sound guy. He would know for sure and maybe do something to compensate...just a suggestion, don't know if they'd do anything, but it doesn't hurt to try.  

NewHorizon:

katiescarlet:

You know, I think it just boils down to opinion....some people like it loud....some don't. People have different reasons for going to a show....some like to take it in like a great classical performance and some like to ride and feed the energy of a live show!!!

It's a little more than opinion.  Loud music and music badly mixed to the point of hearing damage are two different things.  A show can  be mixed well enough to not do the type of hearing damage that leaves your ears ringing for days, and still be loud.  If the sound tech knows what he's doing...or even cares.  I don't know about anyone else, but I would like to continue being able to hear the music I love well into my senior years.  It's partly the performers responsibility to provide a reasonable environment, and partly the listener's responsibility to bring some protection.

 

I would think, if people are bothered by the loudness, just bring some foam plugs with you, if you need them, you have them, if you don't...then don't use them....they don't kill the sound, just muffle it.

I too would recommend ear plugs, but not foam.  They muffle the music to a point where it sounds like mush.  I personally use a type of ear plug that only reduces the frequencies to more manageable levels.  They're called "Hearos". 

 

They cost $20 to $30 canadian, and they're well worth it.  I used to wear the foam plugs onstage, but it really affected my ability to connect with the band.  With hearos, I can distinguish the music as if I weren't wearing any ear protection...it just pulls the volume down a bit. :)  That way, you can still have the vibrations go through you, and not blow your hearing. I haven't had ringing ears since.  Personally, I feel it's lame when  a band feels they have to over compensate and blow the audience to hell.  If the music is good enough, it doesn't need to be jack hammered into the listeners head.  A band can blow your mind, without blowing your hearing.

Thanks for the commercial! Cute name on the product...but I hope your not here saying Blue Rodeo is lame and trying to over compensate for anything, because I would find that pretty lame, but I'm gonna go with me reading that wrong...unless you correct me.

But I still think it boils down to opinion, you say your a musician and maybe you pick up on things better, but I've been to shows that the sound wasn't great and some that the sound was better.....but if the energy is good and folks are having fun...then I'm enjoying it. Everyone is responsible for their own personal safety and if they feel ear plugs are a way to ensure they keep their hearing in tact...that's great, especially if they are working in a loud environment...I used my ear plugs when I worked in a noisy place and it wasn't anywhere near as noisy as any concert I've been too....loud or not loud.

but I am pretty impressed that they make ear plugs specifically for that purpose, something I didn't know....I'd probably not use them, but I sure as heck would throw them on my kids if I ever brought them to any kind of  show. that might be considered loud.

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"There's one in every crowd, for crying out loud,
why was it always turning out be me"

Nah, I wasn't saying BR was lame...just that some bands seem to do that.  I would put the responsibility of BR's sound on the sound tech.  The confed center has great acoustics, you really don't need to turn up loud in there.

 

As for the hearos, do give them some consideration.  They're the only set of earplugs I've every worn that feel like you're not wearing earplugs at all.  The trick to them is that there is a small tube down the middle that channels the sound into your ear, but filters it down.  It's basically like having a volume control on your head. :)

 

 The louder the better I feel.. I agree.. Stratty was never too loud and some people thought kitchener was too loud But I guess an opnion is an opnion .. but I think It was just right! Like right now I'm listening to "C'Mon" on cbc radio2 and its at like warp 10 and I could still go louder, though the computer can't. lol

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Remember you told me how the good will fall? Talk is cheap but I remember it all. kissed my cheeck yeah I admit. Turned my head just a little bit. C.Mon, C'Mon, C'Mon, C'Mon, C'Mon down with us!

It's funny, because I was just telling someone that I am planning on taking ear plugs to the Peterborough show I will be attending.  I was going to buy some cheapie foam jobs, because we are in the front row, and I fear we may be right in front of the amps as well!  Though I appreciate the information about the Hearos ear plugs NewHorizon, I am not sure if I want to invest in them right now or not.  Truthfully, I don't attend a lot of shows these days.  On the other hand, when I do, I often notice that the bands pump the sound way up, even in small clubs.  Maybe it would be a worthwhile investment after all!

Though I understand that some people like their music really loud (You go, Jenn! I said, You go, Jenn! LOL!), I also feel that in a theatre venue with excellent acoustics, it just doesn't need to be uncomfortably loud. 

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I carry with me the memory of a field I once knew, of a night so full of stars that I was left humbled by it's endless beauty. I know that whatever the cost, life is worth living. So bring it on...I can take it.

LOL....Carol!!!

I do remember, as Josh said, that a few people had said Kitchener was loud and that there were also some other type of issues....I did not notice either....that show still puts a major grin on my face when I think back to it!!! But I think too, where you sit makes a huge difference to how you hear the music and how loud.
 

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"There's one in every crowd, for crying out loud,
why was it always turning out be me"

katiescarlet:

....that show still puts a major grin on my face when I think back to it!!!  

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...then curl up by the fire and sleep for awhile,
it's the grooviest thing, it's the perfect dream ~ The Cure

One man's 'ridiculous' is another man's 'Yabba-dabba-doo' ~ Charlie on Two & a Half Men

Keep it simple

New Horizon, do you know if those ear plugs are available in Canada?  I can only see a link on their website to US suppliers.  Thank you!