Concert Events vs. Sporting Events

My wife and I have a our different interests but share these interests with each other. Obviously I am a huge sports fan and love going to any game that I can get to, she is a a HUGE Dave Matthews Band fan and a fan of going to concerts. We attended the Dave Matthews Band show in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend and I have to say I am enjoying these shows more and more every time; check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I14xg2_OGG8

While at the concert I started making some observations about concerts and comparing them with sports, so lets take a look:

Fans: There is no arguing that the fans at both events are very passionate for why they are there. However fans at concerts are very different from fans at sporting events. These fans hardly wear the shirt or hat of the person at the concert, where sports fans love showing their support however they can. Sports fans are the everyday person and so are concert goers, but it was interesting to hear a conversation between my wife and a friend. They were commenting on how diverse and different the crowed was, her friend said "We have 3 golfers sitting next to us..." But the fans at both events make the event that much better to attend.

Venues: So some concerts are inside and some are outside, same with sports. I feel that both places should be open aired venues so that you can stretch out, party, socialize and just have a great time. Most seats provide a good view of the event but still need to be better spaced for people with long legs.

Concessions: No matter where you are they are going to get you to pay for the food and drinks, however concerts may be a little cheaper. $6.00 for a beer compared to $8.00 at a ball game and most concerts will limit the number of alcoholic drinks unlike sporting events where it is a certain time in the game.

Teams: This I found very interesting. On the field or the court, depending on the sport, the teams are always pushing each other to get better and working together. The goal is to win the game for these players, but watching a band perform is unbelievable. The communication between the performers has to be in sync and flawless. No one person is bigger than the other and they challenge themselves. I witnessed something that I never have in sports, someone on the same team challenging someone else; Jeff Coffin and Carter Beauford went note for note Friday night where I thought either the drum set of the saxophone were going to blow up!

Athletes/Band members: Hands down both have to be in shape to do what they do. This may be a shock to some but I think those that are in a band, at least like DMB, are in better shape then any athlete. I would put Carter Beauford (drums) on the spin bike with any NBA player and see who lasts longer, my money is on Carter.

Enjoy each event and to each his own.