The Concert Scene
Live musical concerts feature performances of singers, musicians, choirs, bands, or orchestras in front of an audience. The usual venue for concerts expecting a large crowd are the arenas, amphitheaters and concert halls while smaller performances are held in nightclubs and private homes. Whatever venue is used, performers take to a stage to do their thing. Concerts are one of the more popular forms of entertainment patronized by the public.
The Performers
The main performers in live concerts are usually big-named singers who have garnered much popularity in terms of record sales. They are usually preceded by a front act of up- and-coming performers. Whether as solo performers or as a group, it is quite rare to see any one or any group venture into large concert venues without first establishing a certain degree of loyal following. Mounting a concert entails much preparation and costs that it is almost unthinkable to do it without a reasonable level of assurance that the effort will earn profit.
There are concerts that feature lesser known performers but who are backed up by sponsoring corporations and organizations to promote a specific cause. To date, the highest earning concert tour by a solo artist is Madonna’s “Sticky and Sweet Tour” which grossed approximately $ 408 million in its run from 2008 to 2009 while the highest earning concert tour by a group belongs to U2’s “360 Tour” which grossed more than $ 736 million. The total money earned by a concert or concert tour is typically divided among the performers, producers, organizers, brokers, and the venue. A designated charitable institution shares in the profits earned from benefit concerts.
The Production Team
Every concert event, no matter how small, requires the support and management of a production team. It takes exceptional management and coordination skills to ensure that concerts proceed without any major debacle. The work of the production team starts long before the actual date of the concert.
The members of a production team are expected to be in the thick of all aspects related to the concert from the creation, organization, promotion, advertising, capitalization, and in direct dealings with concert venues and artists’ managers. A production team will know that they have done well through the response of the public in sales and the response of the audience in attendance.
The Audience
The concert crowd usually consists of loyal followers or fans as they are often called. Very few will go through the inconvenience of being in a crowd if they are not genuinely interested in watching the performers. The life of a concert depends to a large degree to audience participation especially in terms of showing appreciation for the performance.
A practice known as crowd surfing has been seen more commonly in rock concerts. It entailed passing a person overhead from person to person until the crowd surfer reaches the rear. Since this is considered a dangerous activity, most concerts do not allow this and quickly eject the participants from the venue. Several concerts have had problems regarding crowd control which resulted to injuries and even deaths.
Music Festivals and Concert Tours
Concerts that last for a number of days involving several artists and performers are called music festivals. There are several of these activities held annually in different parts of the world. A music festival is held in a single venue.
Concert tours on the other hand, are series of concerts of one main performer held in different locations. Each phase of the tour is referred to as a “leg” usually to differentiate performance dates, locations, or even the front act used. A concert tour can last for a number of months to several years.
My Say
Katy Perry’s concert in relation to the recently concluded 2012 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix is a good example of a concert event that has all the factors of a successful concert. After a successful world tour, she came back to Singapore in time for the world-renowned sports event. A popular performer, a captured audience, and excellent production value make for the formula of success. The concert scene is interesting to observe because of all the excitement, talent, and glamour that comes with it.
Shengkay
I think i watch concert ng celebrity/artist is twice palang..as much as i want budget not allowed..:P
BUt I always watch concert on TV…a well plan production is very important in any concert..
Teresa Martinez
The budget is certainly a big concern in going to live concerts. Its a good thing that we can watch some good ones on TV.
Marie
This reminded me to post a long-overdue concert-play we watched….oh goodness! We love music festivals! being in the music capital of the world, we make sure to watch some every now and then…
Teresa Martinez
I sure will be watching out for this post.
jem alvarado
I have watched some concert of Katy Perry and I really like her performance. What I like in a live concert is the different kind of energy that will uplift your mood :). Of course there should always be a crowd control and safety security.
Teresa Martinez
The level of energy is indeed different in live concerts.
haze
I haven’t been to a good concert like what you have talked about in here but one day I’m sure this little wish will come true. Having said that, I’ll have to prepare for it and pick the best venues and artists.
Yes, well-manage and well-produced concerts will certainly give pleasures and satisfaction to the spectators. That is why it usually takes months to prepare for it.
Teresa Martinez
A haphazardly-prepared event always shows mediocre results not only in performance but also in the public’s patronage.
Ness
I love going to concerts. Specially when my budget allows me. Haha! Its one way of actually rewarding myself after work. Haha!
Teresa Martinez
If you are into music, going to a concert can indeed be considered a reward.
Rizza Javier (@beingwell20)
I miss going to concerts. I like big events like this.
Teresa Martinez
It provides a different kind of excitement and entertainment.
bayenmd
matagal na rin akong hindi naka panood ng concert. Kelan kaya ang mga susunod na concerts dito sa Pinas?
Teresa Martinez
I think J Lo and Sting are scheduled to come this year to perform. With the coming holidays, I’m sure there will be many others.
melandria's musings
too bad for me, i wasn’t had the chance to watch international concert, i wish i can in the near future.
Teresa Martinez
That chance might just be up ahead. Anyway, we also have some local concerts worth watching.
Jason Cruz (@jsncruz)
There’s also the issue of the high-cost of enjoying many of Manila’s concerts. Tickets go for thousands of pesos, and scalper ones can hit PHP 20,000 (Chris Brown concert as an example).
Teresa Martinez
That is definitely something to consider though I’ve always believed that scalpers wouldn’t get their way without any willing takers.
dorry lyn
going into concerts is one of my loved thing to do way back my teen years.. good thing mum that you can still make it till now..
Teresa Martinez
I try my best to maximize life experiences whenever I can. If I cannot make it to live concerts, I use my handy player at home and just lay back and listen to a good music.
Bless
Great post. Crowd control and security is really very important when holding a big event such as concerts and festivals. The organizers should not by pass any possibilities or overlook safety precautions as it will not become successful is there is anything that will happen, especially when it causes harm or endanger the public and the performers.
Teresa Martinez
Yes, concerts should not only make us feel good and enjoyable, they should also make us feel safe and secure at the same time. Nobody would want to remember attending a concert that has been marked with negative experiences.
Shela
Cool good for you forsure you had a blast! Haven’t been to a concert wondering hows the feeling!
Teresa Martinez
You definitely are missing out on a good thing. Listening to a good music on a radio, a TV, a cellphone or MP3 player is pleasurable. Being in a concert with the loud music, cheering and screaming fans, coupled with flashing lights and fireworks is really entertaining especially for the young.
The older audience might go for the calming music of orchestras and symphonies. Live concerts are really enjoyable.
Gab
Oh i miss going the concert scene, last time i went to a concert is when Pitbull went to the Philippines. Next year I’m targeting to attend at least 1 concert per quarter i hope my budget will allow me to go :).
Teresa Martinez
One concert per quarter is indeed a good undertaking. Of course, having a front seat is such a thrill, but if we have limitations as to expenses, any seat will do just fine. The idea is just to have a good time.
chrisair
I hope that we patronize more with Filipino performer so that they will explore and innovate more to give a better performance in the concert
Teresa Martinez
Patronizing local performers is indeed a good thing. They usually tapped for front acts of concerts. With the influx of foreign artists, local artists tend to get more exposure to current music trends and innovations affording the opportunity of being at par with their foreign counterparts.
che
I miss watching concerts.. It’s hard when you’re away from your family and don’t have someone to leave the kids to take care of.
Teresa Martinez
Don’t worry! If you don’t have the time to go concerts, another way to enjoy music is by using your home theater. Get a good DVD of your favorite band or artist, pump up the volume a little bit and enjoy the music. The idea is just to have a good time, for that is what we need.
Momgen Reviews
I only went to a concert once when I was in high school ehhehe…But its fun to be there aseptically the favorite singer is there.
Teresa Martinez
You should try going to concerts more frequently as it is a very good means of passing your time, relaxing and enjoying yourself. Music has the tendency of lifting your well-being and being into music makes one feel free of our temporal problems in life.
Franc Ramon
Wow a concert tour does earn so much though I’m sure it’s physically exhausting for the performers and crew to go on a tour.
Teresa Martinez
I’m sure concert tours are physically exhausting but performers will have to strike while the iron is hot, so they say and take advantage of their popularity.
Chie
I’ve only been in a musical concert of a popular artist once. It was the group of Black Eyed Peas, a real one-time opportunity for me to at least hear them sing live. I was not able to get a clear look at them personally coz i bought the cheapest ticket – the farthest seat…lol! I was at least thankful of the big screen that was showing their faces close up.
Teresa Martinez
It is a good thing that big screens were invented or else we will wondering what is exactly going on on-stage except for those occupying the pricier seats in front.
Justin | Hari ng lakbay
Wow! we got the same experience! Yes, the first ever concert I’ve attended was Black Eyed Peas. Then Rihanna’s and Lady Gaga’s concert. I’m looking up to my next concert experience. 🙂
Teresa Martinez
There are definitely more concerts coming, that means more concert experience for you. I heard that the American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez will be doing a concert here as part of her Dance Again World Tour, as well as Sting . So keep saving, for more music experience is coming our way.
MsKathyKenny (@kenny1030)
It has been such a long time since I last watched one. Wow! Nainggit ako bigla.
Teresa Martinez
The last concert I went to was also such a long time ago. The pictures here were provided by my daughter.
jheylo
wow! amazing. you are so fortunate. you get to witness a grand concert and the watch the popular singer performed.
Teresa Martinez
How I wish this was true. Actually, it is my eldest daughter who gets to go to this kind of events because of her work. She provides me the information I need to know about it and then I come up with my article after doing my own research. I consider it my own way of seeing the world without travelling.
ma.diwata
hi! i was wondering what inspired you to blog about concerts? concerts are seldom held in our small city.
Teresa Martinez
I intend to provide information on all possible topics under my five main categories in which Hobbies and Entertainment is one. Entertainment covers a wide range of possibilities in terms of writing and I thought that a post about live concerts is in order.
joy
This is great post which was relevant for those companies or agencies who managed concerts and plays. I agree, concert buildings should prioritize people’s safety than money. Thanks for this heads up!
Teresa Martinez
Concerts with proper security provide entertainment and satisfaction. People go to concerts to have fun and not to get hurt by unruly crowds.
Mary Anne Vinzon
The concerts or any other entertainment should take in consideration the crowd control.They should not only focus on the number of audience, but it should have a security for unexpected situations just like stampede.
Teresa Martinez
Crowd control is a significant concern in large gatherings such as concerts so it is always best to have appropriate security measures in place.