Very few acts that I've seen this year have really done "it" for me.
Those very few have been really good and I'm happy to say that two of those bands were bands of two forum members.
Unfortunately, for the most part I often find myself getting bored of most bands about halfway through their set.
It's almost like I'm just kind of waiting for the bands to be done so I can leave.
Anyone else feels this way?

This is a good topic. I have to think about it before replying though.

Peripatetic wrote:This is a good topic. I have to think about it before replying though.

I mostly avoid going to shows these days. I made a promise to myself long ago that I would never waste an evening watching the end of a film or show or staying with people in a bar or restaurant out of some weird feeling of duty.

Friends remark on my lack of tolerance of less than entertaining or objectively worth-while evenings, and to be honest I am probably considered somewhat lacking in something-or-other because of it.

Fuck 'em though.

Fuck 'em in the eye.

Good topic by the way Mr _Dragon!

i for one am in favor of short sets, especially by lesser known bands.
i had to laugh at "waiting for the bands to be done so I can leave". it is an impatient weird feeling i get sometimes, also as i am somewhat socially retarded at times and if i don't know anyone at a show, trying to stay fixed on the band can be challenging. even if they are good. i really like clubs that have tables, and this is not something I've come to since I got older. i first started going to shows in 1987 at a small club in Georgia, and it had tables. I sat with friends and drank and watched the bands that mattered the most to me at the time. there was a dance floor area and I was not above standing there and even flailing around at times. But to have the comfort of a table, almost like something to hide behind, i always liked seeing bands that way.

I kinda felt like that on tuesday for Akron/Family in that I wasnt really into it for any part of their set, but was interested in watching them until around halfway through their set. My overall lack of enthusiasm might have come from me being fairly new to them still. They all seemed like cool guys though. The next show on my schedule is High on Fire in october. This will be my first time seeing them also. I am hoping for the best

I go to many shows, but the main reason for this is that I live in a part of the world that has, comparatively speaking, a huge number of compelling shows going on all the time by bands who play the kind of music I am interested in. Plus there's no smoking.

If I lived almost anywhere else, I would not go and see shows hardly at all.

I have almost 20 yrs of show-going behind me, though.

Short sets are the only way to go.

I have a bit of attention/focus problem so sometimes going to shows, even watching bands that I like can be taxing, as I am sometimes overwhelmed w/ a desire to leave, even tho I have nothing going at home. The older I get however, the better I am about handling it.

But, in general I like going out to shows and wish I could go to more, as it is I really only go to local shows if my band is playing or some out-of-towner. Currently the local scene hear in Mpls/St Paul is full of bands I like so I feel lucky. A three-four yrs back, not so much.

Maybe, Baltimore's in a bit a dry spell?

After 2 years in Taiwan, folllowed by 2 months living in a tent, I've been going to lots of shows since settling into city life in July. It's exciting for me. A great live show is right up there for me with life's most affirming and/or transformative experiences. Most shows fall well below this mark, but after years of not having access to interesting live music, I don't take it for granted anymore. I savour it. I stand right up front. I dance. I shout. I laugh. I drink.

The best show I've been to since back (and one for which I was prepared to be disappointed) was Tortoise. Unfuckingbelievable. "Just, WOW," as they say.

Anything that can become habitualized or the product of obligation can suck -- live music, sex, cooking dinner, anything.

However, I am posting this from my laptop at a gig while sauteeing mushrooms and fucking, and it's great! So great!

Nowadays, I only go to shows if it's a band I really like.
I've been burned and bored to death too many times.
My main problem with shows is they are boring as all get out. I am too old to care about the whole 'scene' thing or people within it, I despise run of the mill indie rocker and hipster types and I'm not out looking to pick up chicks.
Shows are the same bullshit as they have always been. Surrounded by people who I wouldn't hang out if my life depended on it talking about the stupidest shit you can imagine. Shitty opening band. half hour of nothing. Shitty opening band. half hour of nothing. Headlining band. The end.
I am of the opinion that there should never be an empty stage in front of a room full of people ever. There are a thousand people willing to do their thing, whatever it may be, on that stage between bands for free. There's a million people who made a movie or a video or a painting or a bunch of jokes or a play who would love to show it. Why not ask one of those people to entertain these people between bands? I never understood that and I never will. I mean what the fuck? Put a fucking video on! Something! It's fucking lazy. If you are putting on a rock show make it a fucking rock show, at least try and make it something enjoyable and different and maybe even exciting. No, that's much too much effort and work for the people in Chicago who book and set up shows. You know why? Cuz they don't really like music, that's why.