Introducing Concerts

A concert is a live musical performance before an audience. This music may be performed by a single musician, or by a musical ensemble, such as a choir, an orchestra, or a band. Before the dominance of recorded music, concerts would be the only opportunity one would generally have to hear musicians play. In turn, concerts provide the musicians exposure to the public, and allow them the chance to introduce their fans to new musical compositions. The duration of a concert can vary significantly, from 45 minutes or an hour for a recital, to more than 6 hours for major concerts (including support bands).

Concert Settings

Concerts may be held in a wide variety of venues or settings, including:

• houses
• barns
• pubs
• nightclubs
• large multipurpose buildings
• entertainment centres
• dedicated concert halls
• sports stadia

A concert held in a very large venue, such as a sports stadium, is usually known as an arena concert.

Concert Tickets

Although there are a number of free concerts, it is common practice to apply some form of admission charge, the proceeds of which traditionally go to the organisers, performing artists and producers. However, there are also benefit concerts where either the profits or proceeds are given to charity.

Informal names for a concert include 'gig' or 'show'.

Concert Tours

A concert tour is a series of concerts by a musical group or musician in different locations or cities. Concert tours can become large-scale enterprises that last for several months or even years, and may be seen by hundreds of thousands of people, and bring in millions of dollars in ticket revenues. Different segments of long-term concert tours are referred to as 'legs'.