The Mars Volta @The Pageant in St. Louis

So, The Mars Volta has been a favorite of mine for a few years now, and over those years I have heard both good and bad when pertaining to their live performances. Some say they play amazing shows, sometimes as long as three hours. Other times I have heard horror stories of the band stopping before even an hour has elapsed, or they just screw around most of the show.

I guess my experience would fall in the middle. They played excellently, every song done just right. I didn't keep track of the set list, I just let myself be absorbed by the music. It was good, though, them putting on an energetic performance. Unfortunately, they only played one hour forty minutes. Usually, this would be fine, but when you pay 35 bucks (and that is before Ticketmaster rapes you with all of their added expenses) to see one band (there was no opening act), I'd like to see at least two hours of music. And it ended so abruptly. They played a song from Bedlam, and then they just waved an walked off, real fast. The crowd was cheering for more, but then the lights came on and the music started playing, and I knew it was over.

Like I said, it was a good concert, while it lasted. I'd give it a 6 out of 10.

Yeah, I don't believe their sets break the two-hour mark, but I think it's because they're so intense. When I saw them in April '08 I got about the same length, but I was still satisfied. More would have been great, but I wasn't disappointed at all. They played very well and their stage presence (especially Cedric's) was great.

We are going to see them on October 11th, and to say I can't wait would be an understatement. However, I have to say that nowadays very few bands play for more than two hours, especially not the 'older' ones. An exception to this rule, though, were PFM at NEARfest... they played for nearly three hours, and what a performance it was!

Yeah, I'm a lurker, haha.

Moatilliatta wrote: Yeah, I don't believe their sets break the two-hour mark, but I think it's because they're so intense. When I saw them in April '08 I got about the same length, but I was still satisfied. More would have been great, but I wasn't disappointed at all. They played very well and their stage presence (especially Cedric's) was great.

They were intense, and man did the drummer smack the hell out of those drums. His symbols are insane! He must have had a 16-18 inch high-hat.

I would have been more than satisfied if there was an opening act. And I hate to be one of those people who keep mentioning the money, but come on, 35 bucks is pretty damn steep for one band. Give me two hours.

And the way it ended was so abrupt. They pretty much just walked off. Bands usually hang out for a couple minutes, wave to the crowd, bow, throw picks and drum sticks out, etc. There was none of that. and it couldn't have been a curfew issue. It was 9:40 when it ended, and I have been to concerts that usually go to 11 at the same venue.

Yeah. Going to see They Might Be Giants, and seriously considering seeing Mastodon. Probably Wilco too, if they ever decide to set a date. 

I don't feel 1:45 hrs is very short, though it's not long either. It's the usual standard for a concert in our days. All the stadium concerts I've been to lasted about 1:30-1:45 hrs + from 15 to 30 minutes of encores.

Also, 35 dollars isn't much for a concert with a mainstream band. Usually the prices for known artists range, in Europe, from 30 to 60 euros. For example, the YES show in Paris will cost 60 euros, which is about 80 dollars I guess. Steve Hackett will cost 38.5 euros which is about 50 dollars. Muse will cost 46 euros, which is about 60-65 dollars. The Mars Volta show I've been to was over 30 euros, meaning about 40-45 dollars (and it lasted exactly two hours, no encores).

Coming back to the issue of concert lengths, our co-forumist Uroboros was at a Mars Volta show in Germany where they played continuously for three hours. So it's not like they just don't do it, maybe it depends on certain factors. Such as the band fee for example. (I'm guessing.)

~Rael~ wrote: So, The Mars Volta has been a favorite of mine for a few years now, and over those years I have heard both good and bad when pertaining to their live performances. Some say they play amazing shows, sometimes as long as three hours. Other times I have heard horror stories of the band stopping before even an hour has elapsed, or they just screw around most of the show. I guess my experience would fall in the middle. They played excellently, every song done just right. I didn't keep track of the set list, I just let myself be absorbed by the music. It was good, though, them putting on an energetic performance. Unfortunately, they only played one hour forty minutes. Usually, this would be fine, but when you pay 35 bucks (and that is before Ticketmaster rapes you with all of their added expenses) to see one band (there was no opening act), I'd like to see at least two hours of music. And it ended so abruptly. They played a song from Bedlam, and then they just waved an walked off, real fast. The crowd was cheering for more, but then the lights came on and the music started playing, and I knew it was over. Like I said, it was a good concert, while it lasted. I'd give it a 6 out of 10.

Man that sucks to pay that kind of money and get less than 2 hours entertainment. I've been doing the clubs a lot lately. $5 cover and you get 3 bands on most nights. Lemmons,The Firebird,Ciceros,and Off Broadway. Good places to catch music in St. Louis for next to nothing.