[twoplanekid]

I attended the Tommy James & The Shondells concert at the Sharon last night. It’s a delight to be entertained by an original and a professional who is a year older than me at 75. He performed almost all of his greatest hits of which there were many. It was also nice to have him spent time meeting and greeting the audience.

I thought that the sound system at the Sharon would be great. However, for us it was set way too loud. My wife left half way through the performance as did several others. As long as I kept my ears covered, it wasn’t too bad. I was a little surprised that the sound was at levels typical of 50 years ago when we were much younger.

So, be warned that the sound levels at the Sharon may be set way too high for many paying customers who attend this type of music venue. It may talk a day or two for me to recover so I may be continually saying “I can’t hear you”.

[Bogie Shooter]

I have read on here in the past regarding this sound issue.
Replies were that the band sound guy controls the volume.........

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I have read on here in the past regarding this sound issue.
Replies were that the band sound guy controls the volume.........

You may be correct but there should be direction given by staff to help make the show more enjoyable. There was no need to turn off phones as I could not hear mine if placed against my ear with the volume turned to the loudest setting.

[Chi-Town]

Crank it up for Led Zeppelin or The Who but not Tommy James. Saw Tony Bennet there and others and the sound was perfect. I agree its the the band's sound man.

[retiredguy123]

If they turned it down to my satisfaction, everyone would leave except me. I have never liked live music for that reason, and it has nothing to do with my age.

[coffeebean]

I don't like really loud music. I always bring a pair of ear plugs for live concerts just in case the music is too loud. We saw Journey with Arnel Pineda at an outdoor venue in NJ and had to leave after a couple of songs. My ears hurt even with the earplugs in place. It was just awful.

[Garywt]

There might have been some that could barely hear it at that level, who knows.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Garywt

There might have been some that could barely hear it at that level, who knows.

Is it just me - the more my hearing degrades, the more loud music hurts?

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Is it just me - the more my hearing degrades, the more loud music hurts?

That is my experience as well.

Over a billion young people at risk of hearing loss from loud music, venues, study suggests

[VApeople]

I have always been very intolerant of loud noise, especially loud music. I always leave.

[TheWarriors]

I think most people prefer it loud over soft, it’s a live show and. They want to feel the beat as well as hear it. Perhaps you’ve reached the age where this entertainment isn’t your cup of tea anymore. When we were younger I can’t remember anyone saying a show was too loud ever.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

I attended the Tommy James & The Shondells concert at the Sharon last night. It’s a delight to be entertained by an original and a professional who is a year older than me at 75. He performed almost all of his greatest hits of which there were many. It was also nice to have him spent time meeting and greeting the audience.

I thought that the sound system at the Sharon would be great. However, for us it was set way too loud. My wife left half way through the performance as did several others. As long as I kept my ears covered, it wasn’t too bad. I was a little surprised that the sound was at levels typical of 50 years ago when we were much younger.

So, be warned that the sound levels at the Sharon may be set way too high for many paying customers who attend this type of music venue. It may talk a day or two for me to recover so I may be continually saying “I can’t hear you”.

Well said. I avoid rock concerts for just that reason. For most of our lifetimes there has been a belief that rock concerts should be FELT whether or not they can be HEARD. Feeling the music requires enough volume to cause hearing damage. But music loud enough to feel encourages people to want to dance, and that’s the idea. The amusing thing is that I suspect most of us heard the Shondells on little transistor radios or on 45s played on little record players or on television. We didn’t hear the original hits played at volumes loud enough to feel, so why now? The Shondells really only played songs to be heard, not felt. Did they have albums, too? I certainly never bought one. Not my kind of pop music.

I’ve only been to a few concerts in The Villages. Some were so loud they hurt, and wearing earplugs simply ruined the music. Others were loud but bearable. Even the excellent Beatles tribute last summer wasn’t too loud. It’s pretty sad when we are judging concerts by whether or not they were too loud, isn’t it? But, alas, I do.

It is easy to use a decibel meter at the sound board and establish what volume causes pain to us—and hearing loss—and require that the volume not be above that level, whether or not the sound guy wants it louder. I wish that would be done. You can even buy a decent decibel meter app online for a few dollars that lets you check the volume and see if it’s safe for you. It’s right there on your phone. For me, 100 decibels or above will cause me more pain than pleasure and make my ears go numb.

[rsmurano]

Over 55 years ago, I was in rock (heavy metal) bands that played at big events. I sat right in front of 6ft tall Marshal amps playing the drums as loud as I could and I couldn't hear myself play. Since then, I have been to hundreds of concerts and when in the front row watching the Who or Aerosmith for example, my pant legs were flapping from the loud sound.
To me, it's not the loudness but the quality of the sound that wants me to leave. A lot of music these days over emphasizes the bass and it sounds like s*&t.

[birdawg]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

I attended the Tommy James & The Shondells concert at the Sharon last night. It’s a delight to be entertained by an original and a professional who is a year older than me at 75. He performed almost all of his greatest hits of which there were many. It was also nice to have him spent time meeting and greeting the audience.

I thought that the sound system at the Sharon would be great. However, for us it was set way too loud. My wife left half way through the performance as did several others. As long as I kept my ears covered, it wasn’t too bad. I was a little surprised that the sound was at levels typical of 50 years ago when we were much younger.

So, be warned that the sound levels at the Sharon may be set way too high for many paying customers who attend this type of music venue. It may talk a day or two for me to recover so I may be continually saying “I can’t hear you”.

The wife and I went to the Christopher Cross concert and I agree the music was way to loud also.

[tallmanf]

If the music is too loud, your too old..