For me, venues have certain moods given the architecture and history! Also, I'm sure many of you will know this, some venues don't suit certain types of music! But for me, what is special is when you see a band at a certain venue and both elements provide an incredible atmosphere, they work off each other in a sense. I have seen JBT at many venues now, and by far the best is the Palais theatre (from memory, 04, 05, 07?). The venue hold's a reasonable capacity, yet no matter how far you are from the band you feel like you are right up there on the stage. The atmosphere is intimate and the acoustics are stunning. You get a strong synthesis of music and venue that are very much compatible, especially given that JBT is story telling as much as it is music. To contrast the Palais Theatre with Festival Hall, I saw JBT the first night at the Palais and the next at Festival Hall. I got the complete opposite feeling at Festival Hall though it was basically the same show. I felt there was no intimate connection between crowd and band, nor was there a positive atmosphere in which the band and the venue synthesized.
Now I know this topic is heavily subjective, but I would love to hear what others think about what they have experienced at JBT gig's and how the venues have changed the atmosphere! No matter where you are in the world and even if you have not experienced JBT in Melbourne. Even if, perhaps, you have only experienced JBT at one venue; did it work, did it not, why so or not etc And perhaps, where would you like to see JBT perform in your local area, and why.
I reckon JBT should perform at either the Forum or The Palace (formerly know as the Metro) next melb tour, change it up as its been either Palais Theatre or Festival Hall since 04 (atleast in terms of Tours, I regard Fed Square as an event etc)
