How loud are concerts?

[sarahvb]

Very excited to be going to my first concert (and I got my ticket from someone who posted here - what a great community!). I am a fairly old fogey of 35 who mostly goes to not-so-loud concerts in smaller venues - They Might Be Giants at Irving Plaza or Cake at Roseland is about as loud as I've experienced in the last 5-10 years. I will openly admit that the last time I went to an arena show, it was Rush at the Meadowlands in 1986 (yeah, I'm THAT old and fogeyish).

I'm a little nervous that I'm going to be deaf at the end of the show. How loud is this gonna be? I have a floor seat. Should I wear earplugs? If so, is there a brand people recommend?

Thanks!

Sarah

[Mr. Boomin'Granny]

just go to wal mart and by the ones that contour your ear. allthough i wont be buying any.

that partial temp deafness and ringing in your ears is one of the best parts about the post-concert experience.

[Taco Zip]

that partial temp deafness and ringing in your ears is one of the best parts about the post-concert experience.

It also means you're going to be deaf when you're 50.

[babylovechild]

I will admit to being in my early 30's and wearing earplugs at my last two stadium shows. I could still hear the music fine but the noise of the screaming children was reduced. I bought "Super Heros" at the drugstore mostly because of the hilarious packaging. http://hearos.com/products-noise.htm
I hadn't thought about using them on the Beasties because I don't want to miss a thing. But maybe I should stick a couple in my pocket "just in case".

[sarahvb]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will hop over to the drugstore and pick up some Hearos "just in case" for myself as well. It's not the screaming so much as the BASS that I'm concerned about, I think!

[Taco Zip]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will hop over to the drugstore and pick up some Hearos "just in case" for myself as well. It's not the screaming so much as the BASS that I'm concerned about, I think!

To be exposed to high decibels once isn't a big problem.
But if you're going to go to concerts etc a lot then you really should wear earplugs, otherwise you'll end up with a so called discodip, what means you'll miss certain frequencies in your hearing range.

[Extra Cheese]

i was right upfront on the rail during the '98 concert at the garden without earplugs. i had massive ringing in my ears and could hardly hear the phone ringing for like 3-4 days afterwards. earplugs should be a must for everyone who is close to the stage.

[andersm]

Well the last time I saw the Beasties I was wearing earplugs at the beginning of the show. When they started playing I had to take them out as the show wasn't very loud. It was a club gig, no stadium thing.

AM

[timmie]

LOUDER THE BETTER!!!................ :D ........

[Michael K]

I'm 31 and I've been to way too many shows. Never wore earplugs but I wish I had. I can remember one Primus concert where I was up close right in front of one of the speakers. Great concert but my ears rang for days after...not good.

I am not deaf but my hearing is noticeably worse than most people. Wear earplugs, you can always take them off if it's not loud enough.