At most concerts these days, when the houselights go down, the tiny glowing screens go up. As more fans mark the moments with smartphones, cameras and pocket-sized video recorders, a new kind of digital divide is emerging. Music lovers who try to document and share the essence of concerts are squaring off against those who think that just defeats the purpose. The debate is drawing participants from both sides of the stage.

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Jeff Tweedy appreciates his tech-savvy fans. After all, they've made his band Wilco a going concern for more than 15 years. Like the Black Crowes, Wilco allows fans to make audio recordings at concerts and trade them online, for free. But video cameras, especially right up front, bother him. He says there's something more at stake than just distracting the lead singer (which is "just rude"). "I think you're surrendering your own memory to a very imperfect medium," he says. "Our memories are imperfect to begin with but that's what's beautiful about it."

<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704129204575506281834570988.html">via the Wall Street Journal</a>.

So what do you think - are amateur videographers spoiling your concerts? I'll admit to filming quite a few shows - but mostly throwing away or keeping private what comes off the camera. <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1511520/videos">My contribution to the GPN online video world</a> includes only what I consider to be "unique" moments. For example, I've recorded and posted the following:

Acoustic set from Lebanon, NH concert - Ragged Company, Here's To The Meantime, Ain't No Time
Crazy Parade from Lebanon, NH (rarely played)
Higher Ground NYE - Cover songs from Top Gun
School of Rock show
Song debuts from Terminal 5 in NYC

Essentially, stuff that I consider "unique" or "special" - otherwise, what the hell, I don't want to sit through someone's shitty video of "Paris". But perhaps everyone's video is "special" to them? I mean there's a video of "Cortez the Killer" out there that just sucks soundwise but I watched it just this morning because it sure is "special" to me. 

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