From my own experiences and generally speaking; the old theaters are better than the multi-purpose auditoriums and arenas. Open air festivals are a different animal because their attraction is more being an 'event' or a 'party' than a normal concert. Clubs can be outstanding due to the atmosphere and energy but the sound rarely reminds you of a Memorex commercial. There are hybrids of everything I mentioned plus some I certainly forgot.
All statements are with a broad brush because there are exceptions to every rule. In old theaters, never buy tix under a balcony! If you can't be in the first couple rows up front then go for front row of the balcony. I've sat in the front of the balcony on several occasions and it's always a good sounding event. This applies to sit down type shows and not shows that demand standing for 90 minutes during the headliner! Seriously, it sucks sitting in a balcony and watching a floor full of people jumping around wildly.
Club shows are my favorite and I'm a big proponent of being up against the stage. I typically arrive two hours before doors open and go straight to the stage. These are non drinking nights for me because I don't want to give up my spot for a trip to the bathroom. I like the stage mix with amps and monitors.
Best two shows in recent memory.
1. Samantha Fish at Robins Theatre, front and center of balcony.
2. Nick Lowe w/Los Straitjackets at Beachland Ballroom, standing against center of stage.
Both events had something in common, they were not over amplified.
Expectations of how something will sound has allot to do with how you judge the sound of a show. The Dropkick Murphys are always loud and a little distorted. That's them live and I wouldn't want them any other way, it's great.
Standing at the stage in front of Ross The Boss might not sound great but man, it sounds GREAT!
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Billy Don't Be A Porter
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