Where was I again?? Oh yes…the London show. O2. When we were there in May, we went to see the O2. This venue was very curious to me because its so different from anything I’ve seen here in the US. To begin with, our venues typically don’t have so many bars and restaurants in them. The closest thing to the O2 that I can think of offhand is Staples Center here in LA. It is where our LA Lakers play (that’s our basketball team for those of you not from the US) and it’s right next to a dining/entertainment area called LA Live – but this area is more open air or outside rather than contained in the venue. It certainly isn’t a tent as the O2 seems, which reminded me of a giant birthday cake with candles sticking out of the top. I couldn’t get over the size of the place – it’s huge, and from the pictures I’ve seen of last night’s show – its flat out enormous on the inside as well.
The shows that we saw while in the UK didn’t seem to be quite as large, and from the bit of research I did this morning – none of them were even remotely close! According to what I’ve read, the SECC in Glasgow can hold about 10,000 people in Hall 4, while the O2 holds about 20,000. Since I wasn’t at the show, I don’t know how sold the show was in London, but Glasgow appeared pretty well sold out. There might have been seats on the sides that weren’t opened or sold, but I’m going to be honest – I didn’t notice that night. I was busy paying attention to the stage. 🙂 That was probably our biggest show, along with Birmingham. Regardless, 20,000 people is a LOT of screaming fans.
Over the course of the many months that this tour has been discussed, one theme continues to arise out of the excitement – and that’s whether or not fans like arena shows. Many don’t mind them but question whether or not the band could actually sell enough tickets to make the arenas worth their while; and still others hate them with intense passion.
I suspect that the way one feels about those sorts of shows has everything to do with where they’ve sat, and most likely the crowd near where they have indeed sat. There is something extremely special about being in a huge arena and near the front. The energy is infectious, and when the crowd is thunderous, you can really feel it! On the other hand, I’ve had the experience of being near the front at a GA show where there were not quite 500 people in attendance, and the energy was every bit as solid – if not nearly as loud. The trouble is when you’re at an arena show, your seats are nosebleed and everyone around you sits. That’s a buzzkill that can ruin an entire show for anyone. Conversely, earlier I was at a show – the Fox Theater in Pomona, and due to circumstances that were entirely my husband’s fault – we got there late and were about 3/4 of the way back on the floor – and still had one of the best GA shows I’ve ever experienced.
For me personally, I like a mixture of both types of shows, but the key is where I’m sitting and what the crowd is like. In Bournemouth, we were in a theater (of sorts) that held about 6,500 people and we were in the 4th row, but off to the side a bit and everyone around us sat down. The show was still good, but compared to the rest of the shows, I have to say it was my least favorite. In Brighton we were still 4th row, but more towards the center and the people around us (especially right in front of us!) were having a party – and that made the atmosphere just that more festive – which it was!
Bottom line? It’s not necessarily where you do it that matters nearly as much as whom you’re doing it with!
-R
I couldn't agree more! Last night had the rehearsal show atmosphere at a massive scale. When big venues hit that sweet spot, the experience is unforgettable. My seats were good, not front row, in the balcony and eye level with the stage. For me they were maybe better than front row, because not only did I get to see the wonderful performance the boys put on but also the amazing reaction, the power they have over such a huge and diverse crowd. Yes there were a few pockets of people sitting, but that didn't mean they weren't engaged. They were the minority, and were very much aware of it. The place was very close to being sold out, only a few nose-bleed seats seemed empty. And when Simon engaged, EVERYBODY responded (even the seated) That I think makes a great show, the energy that comes out of group enjoyment, regardless of the size of the group. I wasn't lucky enough to be in Glasgow, but last night was the best I've ever seen them in such a huge (HUGE) scale.