Why was the arenas so dark?

[U.S. Male]

After looking at so many concert photos and video footage over the years, I have often wondered just why did Elvis (or whoever) have the arena so dark?

Was it because of Elvis' "stagefright", or so that only Elvis could be seen on the stage and nobdy else?

[buttonhead]

... if the arena lights up... then Elvis wouldnt say : " I'd like to turn the house lights up,ladies and gentlemen..... Now that you've seen me and i wanted to take a look at you ." .. Just my opinion, Steve

[Steve]

and then he would go in to, " Well hello there........." (funny how time slips away)

I think it was for the spotlight effect, otherwise the audience would see eachother and maby less of Elvis him self.

that's what I think about it.

[Leroy]

As a performing artist myself I think it has several reasons. First it's better performing when you don't have to watch a lot of faces watching you. If you have 1000 faces in front of you having a good time but just one face looking bored you're out. It will bother you.

The stage lights will have no effect at all if the arena would be in bright light. It's not only the music that plays an important role; it's the stage lightning as well.

[Albert]

I think the reason to enlight the stage and make the arena darker is to put focus on what people paid to see: the artist. You're attention is always drawn towards light.

This doesn't only happen with Elvis' performances, but with most live performances.

[U.S. Male]

I recall hearing a guy who worked on the Aloha From Hawaii show telling Colonel Parker that they should take the stage that was used for this show (with all the background lights and Elvis graphics) on the road, and the Colonel responded with something like "they don't come to see that stuff - they come to see him" (pointing at Elvis on stage).


I guess that pretty well sums it up right there I guess?

[U.S. Male]

Ron, I would have loved to have had the stage fight that happened in Feb 1973 in Las Vegas on Pay-Per-View........would have been as much fun as the time Stone Cold stuffed Golddust in to a portable toilet

[emsteph]

Leroy and Albert have very good opinions.

Another thought is that when people are in a darkened arena, they perhaps will let loose a bit more and have some fun.

A story years ago involved Billy Joel doing his concert tour in Russia. This was big news then...before the "wall" came down. The arena was fully lit and Billy got mad and turned over his piano as the fans were sitting on their hands and very quiet. All while being watched by the army. He was wanting the lights turned out and he explained later that they fans need to be in darkness in order to let loose and have some fun. Not to be seen by others in doing so.

[Joe Car]

I always enjoyed attending shows where the arena was dark. Having the lights on, just isn't the same.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I have been to several live shows in the UK and when the lights are on you tend to lose the focal point on the stage especially if you are not at the front!

Elvis the Concert has pretty much copied what most big acts do these days (for obvious reasons) they show the band/artist on a big screen which makes it easier for the fans attending.

Matt

[poormansgold]

The reason have it dark is put focals on the stage, not is going around you .

Try do this with your DVD's You Have On Elvis, it's have been concert one, used Aloha From Elvis That's best dvd, turn All Lights off, watch In Dark First after that watch with lights on next night , You can see the Deffints.

have It Dark For Some Artist is help them get mood, one thing WE know That Elvis Was A Night Owl.

[KPM]

I heard James Burton say you could stand on your head when Elvis was on stage and no one gave you a second glance. Tom Jones got Elvis on stage that one time and it stopped the show. Jimmy Dean the sausage king and country singer, tells the story of how one night his mike did not work in Vegas and he yelled ,"Somebody get me a working mike" Elvis was backstage watching and he grabbed one form a grip and sauntered out with it. Dean said "after that the audience wanted nothing to do with me-I was chopped liver" Funny

[elvis himselvis]

When i look to Aloha from Hawaii,the crowd isn't that dark....

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

When i look to Aloha from Hawaii,the crowd isn't that dark....

This is the exception to the rule whilst you are filming, the same as Elvis in Concert and TTWII. If you look at Elvis On Tour the whole stage area looks darker this is probably due the house lights being off.

Matt

[elvis himselvis]

yeah that's true
Nowadays,the stage isn't that dark anymore...