A concert is a live performance, usually of music, before an audience. The music may be performed by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band. More informal names for a concert include "show" and "gig". Concerts are held in a wide variety of settings or venues, including pubs, nightclubs, houses, barns, dedicated concert halls, large multipurpose buildings, and even sports stadiums. A concert held in a very large venue is sometimes called an arena concert. Regardless of the venue, musicians usually perform on a stage. Before the dominance of recorded music, concerts would be the only opportunity one would generally have to hear musicians play.
There is normally a charge to attend a concert, though many are free. Proceeds benefit the musical group, the owners of the venue, and others involved in putting on the concert, or in some cases to benefit a cause or charity. (See Live Aid.)
A concert tour is a series of concerts by a musician, musical group, or some number of either in different cities or locations. Especially in the popular music world, such tours can become large-scale enterprises that last for several months or even years, are seen by hundreds of thousands or millions of people, and bring in millions of dollars (or the equivalent) in ticket revenues. Different segments of long-lived concert tours are known as "legs".
While the principal reason for a concert is the opportunity for the musicians to perform in front of an audience, even the most purely artistic of endeavors will see gains. Concerts provide the musicians exposure to the public. An attendee will probably see the musicians perform again if the concert was worthwhile. Recording artists usually go on tours to promote record sales and introduce their fans to new musical compositions. Some musicians and musical groups are known for consistently touring and performing live, others rarely so.
The nature of a concert will vary by musical genre and individual groups in those genres. Concerts by a small jazz combo and a small bluegrass band may have the same order of program, mood, and volume, but vary in music and dress. The audience that subscribes to a certain genre of music or a certain band comprise that venue's "scene." For example, the hippies of the 70s often toted long hair (sometimes in dread lock form), sandals and inexpensive clothing made of natural fibers.
Musical groups with large expected audiences can put on very elaborate and expensive affairs. In order to create a memorable and exciting atmosphere and increase the spectacle, the musicians will frequently include additional entertainment devices within their concerts. These tend to include changeable stage lighting effects and various special effect visuals, which include anything from large video screens, inflatables, smoke or dry ice, pyrotechnics, artwork, pre-recorded video, and unusual attire, such as KISS and Mötley Crüe. Some singers, especially in genres of popular music, augment the sound of their concerts with pre-recorded accompaniment and even broadcast vocal tracks of the singer's own voice. Activities which may take place during large-scale concerts include dancing, sing-alongs, moshing or head-banging, and crowd-surfing. Some acts have done many tours throughout their careers such as Whitney Houston, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Janet Jackson. Some recording artists never or rarely tour and mostly remain studio artists; among them Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey. Legendary British progressive rock act Pink Floyd are noted (among other things), for their expertise in live performances. Metal is an extremely popular genre for performances and bands such as Metallica, Dream Theater, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, have all been noted for their virtuosity in performances.
Larger concerts involving a greater number of musical groups, especially those that last for multiple days, are known as festivals. Examples include the Woodstock Music and Art Festival, Oxegen, Bath Festival, Salzburg Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Isle of Wight Festival and Summer Sonic.
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