Live music has long been touted as a cathartic experience – a sonic high where fans can lose themselves in the moment. But a growing number of gig-goers are now labelling it an 'endurance test', with good reason. The romance of live performances is being suffocated by technical issues, unruly audiences and the cold, hard cash that comes with it.
Journalist Tom Harris's recent piece stirred up the debate, drawing on his own harrowing experience at Earl Sweatshirt's show in north London. The sound quality was abysmal, the setlist a snore-fest, and the phone-wielding fan behind him was like a beacon of frustration. He nearly bailed early to get a kebab – who hasn't been there?
The music industry is under fire for its ruthless pursuit of profit over performance. Artists are being squeezed on tour, with demanding schedules that compromise quality and give them little control over the essentials: sound systems, security, or those extortionate booking fees slapped onto fans.
And then there's the 'residency' model – a supposed luxury that turns live music into an expensive city break. Fans are footing hefty bills for tickets (£200+!) plus travel and accommodation costs, all for the privilege of watching their favourite artist perform from the same spot every week.
The article also challenges the notion of 'communion' at live shows – where fans come together in shared ecstasy or grief. Nope – what they often get is a soggy embrace of spilled drinks, crammed into crowded venues with no respite. It's a far cry from the cinema experience, where comfort and peace reign supreme.