100' runways off the stage at a rock show? For or against?

[MudPies]

Not airport runways you silly kid. I'm talking that ego booster of a walkway that goes into the middle of the arena.

[germs]

depends on the act and venue.

some of it is a little over the top. worst offenders i've seen have been in the country genre, though.

aside: next time you go to the arena show, watch the opening act. they NEVER set foot on the catwalk, like they're verboten! funny stuff.

[CyberFerret]

I think they're OK - gets more people 'up close and personal' to the players IMO.

[Bob Maximus]

Aerosmith did some good stuff with a long catwalk. Last show I saw was when they were on tour with Motley Crew. Tyler and Perry both used it a lot.

[Dave Shoop]

Crowds seem to like the interaction. What would be the negative here? Concerts are all about the visuals and have been for a long time. Many people hear with their eyes. If you look good, really look like you are "into it" it goes a long way in convincing the audience they were at a great concert. Lights, props etc are all part of the "circus".

[Pikesoldier]

one of the coolest shots on it might get loud was the catwalk under the castle with the edge in the middle of a billion fans.

[phoenix 7]

Saw the Stones back in '95. Mick was racin' up and down those runways like a teenager.

[Boris Bubbanov]

I guess I'm a curmudgeon.

I came to hear the music, not see people prancing around.

It is an occupational hazard (falls) from what I am seeing more and more. Maybe an aging rocker could motor back and forth in his electric scooter or something.

[Pikesoldier]

+1 on the scooter idea for mick and keef.

[stevel]

I guess I'm a curmudgeon.

I came to hear the music, not see people prancing around.


From that standpoint, I don't want to see light shows, walls of amp, dance moves, or pretty much anything that "heightens" the musical experience - if the music was that darn good you wouldn't need any of that stuff.

But, they are performing for - the public.

Steve

[guitarpkr67]

I guess I'm a curmudgeon.

I came to hear the music, not see people prancing around.


If that were the case I'd stay home and listen to a cd. And save money too.

[smallbutmighty]

I love the idea.

Both times I saw the David Lee Roth band he used gimmick to get to the back of the auditorium. The first time he rode on a golf cart through one of the access ramps. The second time he rode a surfboard across the ceiling.

When you're sitting in the far end of the stadium, and then all of a sudden Diamond Dave is 25 feet away...that's pretty exciting.

[Bulldog]

Lame. Of course, I'm not a fan of rock "shows". I'm there to see the band play, not see a bunch of parlor tricks. I can do without the fire and lights and rear screen projected videos.

[ACfixer]

It's a walk-off!
http://www.filmsondisc.com/images/zoolander.jpg