Usually the PA is pointing outwards towards the audience. We would always rely on roadies or the sound guy to hear that the balance was out. It’s why you’ll frequently see roadies scrambling about even after a gig has started. If she could tell, it must have been pretty far out. Another problem is that what sounds good when a venue is empty can sound completely wrong once it’s filled with people.
I think the best concert I've seen was Maze at Hammersmith, back in the mid 80's. I think it was my first "proper" concert and it blew me away. In the last few years, The Who, Weller, Eric Clapton spring to mind. For pure musical ability, the best was probably Pat Metheny Group.
I am a rock and metal fan and these are the most memorable live gigs I've seen: Gojira - I've never been a fan of death metal and the growling lyrics but their songs are astonishing and really work for me. Their drummer is probably the best around today. Edguy - they are a 80's style power metal band which isn't normally my thing but their lead singer is pure charisma and made their show really enjoyable. Devin Townsend - the man is amazing, can go from death metal growling to opera style singing.
Maze featuring Frankie Beverley ,Hammersmith, many moons ago. Adam Ant was quite entertaining live too - before he went bonkers.
U2 at the Milton Keynes bowl at the 'longest day' concert in the 80s ... pissed down ... sea of mud ... and steam rising from the masses as the Clannad music heralded them coming on stage ...
Yeah they are a solid band, saw then at Donington when they released The Black Album, they opened with Sandman.
Standout band(s) Queen 86 Queen memorial concert 92, in which Metallica was good the first time they played Sandman as well Status Quo 93 (Ok this is a joke, but it was a fun concert)
Was at both those Glasters gigs. The Sugar Lump party after P Scream was great, Bobby was battered there
V festival is worst I have ever been too despite going to Louder Lounge, where you get free booze food massages the lot all day and night. I had to go a couple of times with work gang. Too much sponsorship, soulless and full of Essex boys. Louder Lounge is probably best backstage area at all festivals in UK though
Bit of a kids festival - as is Reading now unfortunately. Mate of mine went to Reading this year and showed me his videos - very lame crowd. I went in 2007 and 2008 before everyone had camera phones and big bands played. Feel a bit sorry for younger generations.
AC/DC were good. I suppose there are bands like that who just know what they are doing and it's always a good show.
That's true. Seen Metallica couple of times and they were very good both times. Worst big band I've seen was Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Reading in the 70's was a tad basic to say the least and remember rumours about someone literally drowning in the mud in 77
