The Great O2 Arena Debate: Passion vs Practicality

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I was privileged enough to see The Who play on their 50th year anniversary tour, the band were awesome playing with the same passion as they did 50 years ago and the sound was reasonable. I have been to the O2 a few times to see Roger Waters and also Carlos Santana, both artists I doubt I will get the opportunity to see again before they croak. However the issue I have is that the venue lacked soul and passion.

Now, I know passion and what makes a venue passionate and soulful can be a very subjective topic but for me I think passion means dirty and historic with carpet stained with spilt beer, as a direct result of fans fully embracing the music and losing themselves for an hour or so to some no nonsense balls to the wall rhythm and blues. Whilst I appreciate many genres of music and gigs aren’t suited to mosh pits and dancing the principle remains the same. For me the venue might look flashy and appealing to a 10 year old going to their first gig but those who have had their fair share of live music and been to a variety of venues the O2 only seems to suck the atmosphere out of occasion. This coupled with the fact that the venue is packed full of white collared business men looking to make a deal in their private box – rather than appreciate the band – makes the venue a real threat for the future of live modern music.

Despite my heavily opinionated interpretation on the venue I can appreciate why bands select the arena; some bands are simply too big to play smaller club venues without losing money. However this raises the inevitable question: Is music about making money or enjoying yourself no matter what the cost? As a 9 year old experiencing my first taste of live music I have to confess the O2 did dazzle me with their flashy signs and big screens,although looking back, it seems that the issue was I had never encountered a good venue previous to that experience. Moreover I believe that the venue is perfect for those of whom don’t really love music but just like it and would simply like to see their favourite artist perform and don’t buy into the whole concept of passion and soul. Or maybe for the younger music enthusiasts too small to brave the trek across London, too minor to venture into a mosh pit and not confident enough to blag their way into an 18 only venue without ID.

Overall I believe that the O2 does have some benefits, it’s convenient, family friendly and has an average sound. Though despite these minor perks, for me at least it lacks atmosphere and without atmosphere you are left with a show that remains impossible for the audience to well and truly interact with the artist and experience the music. I end with the simple question: Are arenas such as the O2 the beginning of the end of passionate and enjoyable live music?

Words by Elliott Godden

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