What’s Wrong with the Word “Concert”?
Posted: September 22nd, 2006 | Author: justin | Filed under: general, music, read | 6 Comments »
You may have noticed at some point while reading this blog that some of the CU crew enjoy referring to shows as “concerts.” This is something that really irks the hell out of Nghia and prompted him to send out an email to all of us to refrain from using the word “concert.” Basically, his argument was that the word “concert” is dated and homely, like using the word “automobile”, as in ‘I jumped into my automobile and drove to the store,’ or the word “world wide web,” as in ‘I was reading the news on the world wide web all day.’
I was hoping for more of a reaction from the rest of the group, but there was only one rebuttal saying ‘that using the word “show” sounds like you went and saw Mama Mia!, Rent or some other musical bullshit.’
Personally, I like to use the words “show” or “gig” and reserve the word concert for larger scale events, like a “Sufjan Stevens or Tapes ‘N Tapes concert,” seriously, you don’t go to a “Rolling Stones show” or “New York Philharmonic show”, you go to a “New York Philharmonic concert.” I also think it’s laughable when someone says, “hey, get me two tickets to that CBGBs concert.”
Is it taboo to use the word “concert” or does it depend on what you’re referring to?
it’s a circumstantial word, but not outdated.
and the world wibe web expression is coming back with a vengance. watch out.
justin, i’m with you on concert/show. both perfectly relevant, it’s all about context.
but gig – ew. i defy you to use gig in a sentence that doesn’t sound like it was written for uncle jesse on full house. let’s just save GIG for these and guys instead.
i — for one — will never use the word “gig”. ever. reminds me too much of these idiots.
other good terms we can use for shows include “soiree”, “extravaganza” and “spectacular”. like:
“SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! at the city colliseum: the JUSTIN CABRERRA ex-TRAVA-ganza spec-TAC-ular, *LIVE* !!! *IN CONCERT* !!!”
oh, and i demand proper attribution for my “musical bullshit” quote. god, i hate musicals…
I’m going to see a band?
Wow, I’ve actually thought about this before…
…and never really came to a conclusion. I definitely do not say “gig”. It sounds weird. I also refer to larger shows as concerts, even though a night at Cakeshop is technically also a concert. It’s not taboo, but I’m more like to say “show”, even thought it may refer to a concert, play, musical, laser light performance, dog competition…
I so hate driving my automobile in the city, does anyone know where I can buy tickets to the Dog Championship Concert on the world wide web?