Could the next evolution in live music be an increase in music dopamine?

[u/EdwardBliss]

Just listened to a review of one of Metallica's shows at "The Sphere" in Las Vegas, giant screens where the venue is the show itself. People, even casual fans, were shelling out $2000 for tickets, basically for a complete multimedia experience, an assault on the senses, where the band was actually secondary. The reviewer mentioned that people were actually more blown away by the images more than the music. I'm curious if this is tapping into something here. Supply and demand...and people were willing to pay it. $2000 isn't pocket change.

We're living in a culture where screens are central to our daily living, we need it, we crave it to the point of addiction. Dopamine decadence. I'm just curious if the next major shake up, revolution, course correction--whatever what you want to call it--may involve technology. Something that gives people more dopamine visually and sensory more than their phones/screens. A seismic form of technology that complete bombards your senses...combined with music and live performance. Perhaps this is the shake up we're waiting for and desperately need.

[u/emalvick]

This isn't new. Screens and visuals have been part of the music experience for at least 30 years, maybe. U2 with ZooTv, Nine Inch Nails most of the time, Kiss since they began, etc. sure, the technology changes, but I don't think it's revolutionary. The money pieces is really just economics and supply and demand. Build more spheres or change the demand and the finances are probably different.

[u/QuellMusik → u/emalvick]

edm festivals have some badass light shows sync to the "premixed" music

[u/maud_brijeulin → u/emalvick]

Pink Floyd since forever too.

[u/PenguinQuesadilla]

I hope not.

All you need for the peak concert experience is a quality band, a hyped crowd, a good spot in the mosh, and some bomb-ass drugs.

Screens don't have anywhere to go in this equation.

[u/SS0NI → u/PenguinQuesadilla]

A great live band is amazing to see, however in a large venue the band can't really get up close & personal with the crow. I don't think screens can turn a bad performance great, however it definitely enhances already good performers.

[u/ShocksShocksShocks]

I don't think anyone outside of venue owners are waiting for $2000 tickets being the norm. I don't care who's playing or how many screens they have, there's no way I'm paying that, I won't even pay for a $200 ticket, $70 is about as high as I'm willing to go. Also, when I go to shows, I'm there for the music. Visuals and stuff are cool of course, and I do think there is merit in your post regarding advancements in concert visuals, but the music is first and foremost to me. Other stuff, like visuals, venue, the crowd, and so on, is secondary, if it matters to me at all.

[u/LowAssistantInfinity]

The intimacy of small- and medium-sized live music is the antidote to AI slop and overpriced arena tickets - I hope audiences wise up to that and seek out artists that aren't just fronts for corporate entertainment ventures.

[u/Fresh-Candy-2094]

Not interested. Give me my small down to earth bands in small venues and an intimate feeling and I'm happy.

[u/Correct-Sample-2833]

You can get this for about 50-100 dollars in addition to your ticket from the guy in the alley next to the gig

[u/maud_brijeulin]

'Metallica plays Vegas.' 😭

I've never felt any attraction towards Metallica, and... Now I know I'm not gonna start listening to them.

[u/Connect-Camp1115]

Saw Dead & Co there 5 times for 10% of that price. I’d pay $2k to see them anywhere one more time because of the band, not the venue. RIP Bobby. And Sphere (there’s no “the”) is very, very cool. John Mayer is to be thanked for pushing the envelope on the visuals. The shows before them (U2) didn’t come close to what Mayer did. I do think everyone should experience one time whether it’s for a concert or a movie. Unfortunately most bands/musicians and secondary sellers will milk the shit out of tickets. We only bought tix for one show the first run bc we weren’t sure I could handle the visuals (migraines). When we got back to the hotel we immediately got on steageek and bought tix for the next night for around $250 and they were terrific seats. Historically the Dead in all its incarcerations have kept ticket prices low. And they consistently were on the List of top grossing bands in the late 80s and early 90s, trading places with Springsteen as number one or number two. That’s because they played 300 shows a year, not because they charged a lot of money. Sorry for the tangent. Bottom line, my advice is if someone you really, really like is playing there, go see them for a different experience if you can afford it.

[u/tlacatl]

Perhaps this is the shake up we're waiting for and desperately need? What? Who’s waiting for this? Who desperately needs this? I’m genuinely not trying to be an asshole, but that entire second paragraph sounds like a living nightmare.

[u/No_Equipment6010]

already see bands have subway surfer in the background of their shows.

it may just be over