Thinking of yesterday’s post (20) gives me a new spin on the concert.  What is it that you want at a concert?  Here’s my list.

I want sound quality.
I want to hear the song in a “live” way that is noticeably different than the album version.
I don’t want it to kill my ears.
I want to hear any dialogue the artist is saying.

Now, if you have ever been in a poor venue, or sat in bad seats, you know this is often a loss.  I have left concerts feeling ear fatigue and was not happy with the sound and couldn’t hear what they were saying.  Speaking of that, how often do you understand what a DJ is saying in a night club?

The fix?  Taking the app and headphones from post (20) and linking them to a direct feed optionally provided by the artist at the concert, or the nightclub.  The technology already exists for “real time” audio over wifi, but I would have to hear it to vouch for it.  That is the solution.  Now I know the gut reaction here is one of stringing me up for blaspheming on how a concert is to be properly listened to.  Sure, if you are listening at Carnegie Hall, or in good seats at the Santa Barbara Bowl or Red Rocks, then a case surely can be made for just listening.  That just isn’t the case most of the time.  The typical arena is made for maximum occupancy in observing sport contests.

If you can open your mind to trying such a thing, what do you get?  From any and every seat in the house?

You get sound quality.
You get to hear the song in a “live” way that is noticeably different than the album version.
Your ears are saved, and you can adjust how loud you would actually like it.
You will hear any dialogue the artist is saying.
You will now actually hear things you otherwise would not, and not hear unwanted things you otherwise would.  Think of small subtle details being delivered directly to your nosebleed seats.  Perhaps a funny dialogue between members of the band, or musical elements lost in the concrete and crowd noise.  Now consider the occasional feedback.  This could easily be reduced if not eliminated by the sheer fact that you are not listening to the amplified sound, rather you are direct from the main sound board.
Now let’s make a fun little twist.  Add a slider for adjusting the various concert specific elements, like crowd noise, or reverb modeled around the venue, or perhaps any venue you choose.  Nosebleed seats in the local sports arena, now with the sound of Red Rocks at center of row 5.

Truly a revolutionary idea in concert going, and one that would greatly increase satisfaction.