Stadium vs. Arena Preference/Thoughts

[Alxjcgn 355]

Hey guys, I don't want this thread to become a complaint forum for why the MAYHEM ball isn't stadiums and all the opinions we have heard specifically surrounding that- but I wanted to see what people thought between a stadium vs an arena for shows? I prefer arenas for the closer view and in my opinion, better production. 

After seeing the MAYHEM ball, I do think it plays better in an arena and there is more magic to the whole production. But I also appreciate how stadiums can be more attainable for more fans. I did see the CBT in the stadium, and have seen several stadium shows before, and have to say I prefer arenas in comparison.

What are some of your pros/cons you all have for seeing a concert in either venue? What is the best concert you've seen in a stadium or arena, and what made it the best? 

Honorable mention: Small outdoor concert venues are probably the best! 

Edited Saturday at 03:47 PM by Alxjcgn

[Blackout19 12,227]

[RAMROD 110,003]

I only witnessed The Mayhem Ball..., or the early version of it, at Coachella on both weeks. It is, I guess, pretty comparable of stadium crowds. I had stood at barricade in one and rather far from stage on other. Each time I am enjoying my time. 

I understand the concern not seeing her clearly, especially since Gaga didn't really do super huge screen on her stadium shows back during TCB, unlike Beyonce or Taylor Swift, which is a shame since it cuts away the full experience since the tour visual are part of it. Especially this time, where the visual on screen also parts of the story.

I am interested to see how this tour look like on arena next year, and see if I think that works better or the stadium does. 

[Alxjcgn 355]

1 minute ago, Blackout19 said:

Pyro effects are definitely way better at a stadium show 

[Alxjcgn 355]

1 minute ago, RAMROD said:

I only witnessed The Mayhem Ball..., or the early version of it, at Coachella on both weeks. It is, I guess, pretty comparable of stadium crowds. I had stood at barricade in one and rather far from stage on other. Each time I am enjoying my time. 

I understand the concern not seeing her clearly, especially since Gaga didn't really do super huge screen on her stadium shows back during TCB, unlike Beyonce or Taylor Swift, which is a shame since it cuts away the full experience since the tour visual are part of it. Especially this time, where the visual on screen also parts of the story.

I am interested to see how this tour look like on arena next year, and see if I think that works better or the stadium does. 

That'll be so cool to have seen the very start of the show before it became the concert set, and then be able to witness it after the concert has grown/developed a bit! I definitely think the tour does better in the arena primarily because you can control the lighting way better. Both the stage lighting and use of the wristbands for fans make it such a cool experience that I don't think you'd get at a stadium (at least not unless it was dark) 

[Franch Toast 27,019]

I loved seeing Gaga in Vegas in the intimate venue at the Park MGM, both for Enigma and J&P, so I voted for smaller theatre. 

Between arenas and stadiums, I prefer arenas for the same reason. 

We know that Mayhem Ball does work in stadiums though, because she's performed it in stadiums outside of the US. The main downside I see to ARENAS [edited because I mistyped earlier] is that fewer seats equals higher demand for tickets, thus driving up the prices. 

Edited Saturday at 05:59 PM by Franch Toast

[LauraPalmer 1,343]

i’ve never seen Gaga in a stadium. i’ve only attended the Mayhem Ball but i’ve seen Green Day, Taylor Swift (Reputation tour, not Eras), and The Rolling Stones in stadiums. stadium concerts have fun and exciting vibes, but i vastly prefer arenas. 

i’ve seen The Rolling Stones twice and the first time we were so high up that the sound was echoing horribly and i could barely hear most of the songs. guest services couldn’t do anything regarding our seats and just sent us free t-shirts in the mail a few days after the show. ever since that experience, i just feel like stadium concerts are so much money to risk not being able to even hear the artist. 

arenas are generally pretty small and no matter where you sit, you have a decent view and great sound, plus you don’t have to worry about weather potentially cancelling/postponing your event. arena concerts will always be my personal favorite. 

[Murakami27 5,181]

Bars 

[Alxjcgn 355]

3 minutes ago, Franch Toast said:

I loved seeing Gaga in Vegas in the intimate venue at the Park MGM, both for Enigma and J&P, so I voted for smaller theatre. 

Between arenas and stadiums, I prefer arenas for the same reason. 

We know that Mayhem Ball does work in stadiums though, because she's performed it in stadiums outside of the US. The main downside I see to stadiums is that fewer seats equals higher demand for tickets, thus driving up the prices. 

I saw her at Radio City and also the Kennedy Center with Tony... those smaller venues were much more intimate and special! I'm sure the stadium would work, and I imagine she still has the extra parts of the set to accommodate the stadiums she has on this tour. 

[Alxjcgn 355]

2 minutes ago, LauraPalmer said:

i’ve never seen Gaga in a stadium. i’ve only attended the Mayhem Ball but i’ve seen Green Day, Taylor Swift (Reputation tour, not Eras), and The Rolling Stones in stadiums. stadium concerts have fun and exciting vibes, but i vastly prefer arenas. 

i’ve seen The Rolling Stones twice and the first time we were so high up that the sound was echoing horribly and i could barely hear most of the songs. guest services couldn’t do anything regarding our seats and just sent us free t-shirts in the mail a few days after the show. ever since that experience, i just feel like stadium concerts are so much money to risk not being able to even hear the artist. 

arenas are generally pretty small and no matter where you sit, you have a decent view and great sound, plus you don’t have to worry about weather potentially cancelling/postponing your event. arena concerts will always be my personal favorite. 

The sound issue for me is also why stadiums can be risky, or the sound just isn't as good. Arena concerts definitely handle that better for the most part, and you can actually see the artist pretty decently no matter where you sit/how the stage is built

[Alxjcgn 355]

3 minutes ago, Murakami27 said:

Bars 

I would kill to see her in a bar! I love going to my local bar to see the open mic nights, bar shows are always fun

[Controversiaga 11,606]

Stadium because then she doesn’t have to do 9 shows in the same city - she could do maybe 2 or 3.  She is a human being. She is strong but it would just be so much easier and less taxing for her 

[Franch Toast 27,019]

1 minute ago, Alxjcgn said:

I saw her at Radio City and also the Kennedy Center with Tony... those smaller venues were much more intimate and special! I'm sure the stadium would work, and I imagine she still has the extra parts of the set to accommodate the stadiums she has on this tour. 

Seeing her at those smaller venues must've been amazing! There's something so special about seeing an artist you love in a smaller space. I love the theatrics of larger stadium shows, but I appreciate the intimacy of smaller venues too. 

[Alxjcgn 355]

Just now, Franch Toast said:

Seeing her at those smaller venues must've been amazing! There's something so special about seeing an artist you love in a smaller space. I love the theatrics of larger stadium shows, but I appreciate the intimacy of smaller venues too. 

I absolutely loved it! I was seated in the back orchestra area both shows, but still got a great view of them and they sounded amazing. A venue that size is definitely where she has sounded the best, but primarily just because sound is so tricky to control in the large venues she normally tours in. 

[Alxjcgn 355]

2 minutes ago, Controversiaga said:

Stadium because then she doesn’t have to do 9 shows in the same city - she could do maybe 2 or 3.  She is a human being. She is strong but it would just be so much easier and less taxing for her 

I think so too, but she seems to like it! I doubt at this stage, anyone would be forcing her to add so many extra dates for each city (especially NYC haha) so hopefully she is loving it and the time she has spent focusing on her health has prepared her for this!